People living with mental health conditions are benefiting from
lifesaving library services which have been launched by councils,
including ‘Reading Well’ on prescription schemes, drawing and
painting sessions for people with anxiety and addictions and
reminiscence activities for those with dementia.
In the UK, one in four people will have experience a mental
health condition each year, and one in six report a condition
such as anxiety and depression each week.
With increasing numbers of people living with mental health
conditions, the Local Government Association is urging residents
to visit their local library service where they can find out more
about the variety of resources and books on offer to support
mental health and wellbeing.
It comes as councils across the country support Libraries Week to
raise awareness of the pioneering work developed by local
libraries to focus on wellbeing, mental health and social
isolation in communities.
Recent activities launched by councils include:
-
· Norfolk
County Council runs a “Reading Well” collection of books for
mental health, which are selected by NHS health professionals who
can recommend a list of titles to patients. Since the reading
scheme was introduced in 2013, it has reached 778,000 users. To
support the county’s ageing population, the service also runs
“Just a Cuppa” and “Knit and Natter” events to support the health
and wellbeing of older residents.
- · Public
Health England has warned the health impacts of loneliness are
equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Hounslow Council has
launched a home book delivery service to help those who are house
bound to access their library as well as prevent social isolation
of residents which is a main cause of mental health issues.
- · People
aged over 18 who are living with anxiety, stress and depression,
or who are just keen to improve their mental wellbeing, can
benefit from an activity called “Creative Alternatives” which is
hosted in St Helen’s Libraries as part of the award-winning
Cultural Hubs programme. The therapeutic activities are led by
art professionals and they include creative writing, drawing,
sculpture and woodwork.
- · With
4,600 residents living with dementia and one of the highest
percentage rates for dementia in the UK, Sefton Council’s library
services has developed a reminiscence recording service to
improve the mental health of people who are living with dementia.
The recordings include wartime experiences and accounts of
childhood times, and they are used by the carers and families to
build a rapport with families and carers.
Cllr , Chair of the LGA’s
Culture, Tourism and Sport Board said:
“Tackling and preventing mental health in our communities is a
huge priority.
“A library of the 21st century is home to a diverse range of
services in our communities. It can support health and wellbeing,
prevent social isolation and loneliness and provide support to
people living with dementia.
“Councils know the benefits which libraries can provide in
helping residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Despite the substantial funding gaps facing many of our
services, councils and library staff have shown evidence of a
fantastic amount of commitment and innovation with making the
very best of their resources.”
