We all want to lead happy and contented lives and our health can play a major part in contributing towards our overall wellbeing. Here at Newcastle Libraries we offer a range of resources, information and partnerships which aim to help people improve their health and wellbeing and which are freely available for everyone to use.
From Words to Wellbeing
- What is 'From Words to Wellbeing'?
From Words to Wellbeing is a scheme that we are piloting with Saville Place Surgery in Newcastle, where GPs ‘prescribe’ books that help you manage your mental wellbeing. These books have been especially chosen and recommended by Newcastle Psychological Services, so you can be assured that the information contained within them can be trusted. The titles chosen deal with issues such as abuse, trauma, anger, anxiety, fear, panic, worry, assertiveness, confidence, self-esteem, depression and eating disorders. Assistant Psychologist, Nick Hartley, tells us more about this scheme in the video.
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- What are the books and where can I find them?
There are multiple copies of each title at City, Gosforth, Kenton and West End Libraries, which can be borrowed for a 4 week loan period, with the possibility of renewing the books if no-one else has reserved them. Like any of our books, you can reserve these books and pick them up from any of our 18 Libraries. The recommended books can be found in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ sections of each library participating in the scheme. Please ask a member of staff if you’re unsure where this section is.
The 16 titles recommended on the scheme are:
| Title | Author | Class Number |
|---|---|---|
Carolyn Ainscough | 362.76 | |
Claudia Herbert | 616.852 | |
Helen Kennerley | 616.8 |
| Title | Author | Class Number |
|---|---|---|
Overcoming anger and irritability | William Davies | 157 |
| Title | Author | Class Number |
|---|---|---|
Overcoming social anxiety and shyness | Gillian Butler | 152.46 |
Helen Kennerley | 616.852 | |
Kevin Mears | 616.852 | |
Derrick Silove | 616.852 |
| Title | Author | Class |
|---|---|---|
Anne Dickson | 158.108 | |
Melanie Fennell | 158.1 |
| Title | Author | Class |
|---|---|---|
Paul Gilbert | 616.852 | |
Dennis Greenberger | 616.891 | |
Chris Williams | 616.852 |
| Title | Author | Class |
|---|---|---|
Claudia Herbert | 616.852 | |
Getting better bit(e) by bit(e) | Ulrike Schmidt | 616.8 |
Overcoming obsessive-compulsive disorder | David Veale | 616.852 |
- Do I have to get a book ‘prescribed’ by a GP to be able to borrow one of the recommended titles?
Anyone can borrow the recommended books. You do not need to be prescribed a title from a GP. However, we would recommend you to talk to your GP if you are struggling with a health problem as they can advise you on what other treatments would best suit your needs. For example, if you have a Newcastle GP, it may be appropriate for you to attend one of the stress control or anger management classes provided by Newcastle Psychological services, or use their online self help for low mood or overcoming fear materials. If you feel uncomfortable about approaching your GP and would like a referral to a mental health professional, or equally would like to do your own initial self-check, go to the Newcastle Psychological Services website. If you would like to contact them by phone, please ring on 0191 229 2941.
- Will you be rolling this scheme out to my GP surgery?
From Words to Wellbeing is a scheme which is based on other successful ‘Books on Prescription’ programmes throughout the country. While there is strong evidence that good quality self-help literature is an effective way to provide help to people with mid to moderate mental health problems, this is the first time we have run the scheme in Newcastle. We are therefore piloting the scheme with Saville Place Surgery initially, but we are looking to extend the scheme in future to other surgeries within Newcastle. Please keep checking this website for details, email information@newcastle.gov.uk or ring us on 0191 277 4100 for further updates.
Other health resources
In City, Gosforth, Kenton and West End Libraries you will find a range of mental health self help guides produced by the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Patient Information Service which you can browse a look at within the library. You can also download these guides and find a wealth of other information in a variety of different languages as well. Newcastle Libraries also has a range of other health books and fiction books which deal with health issues that can be searched for on our library catalogue.
Recommended websites
You can view a list of health related websites on our Delicious profile.