Shropshire Libraries to launch national book collections for young people to understand mental health and well-being
Libraries in Shropshire are to hold a series of events to launch new collections of books for young people aged 13 to 18 years to provide them with advice, information and support to help them understand their mental health and well-being.
Reading Well for Young People is launched on Tuesday 12 April 2016. It provides a booklist of 35 titles covering 12 topics and conditions including anxiety, depression, self-harm, body image and eating disorders, as well as life experiences such as bullying. The booklist features self-help and psych-education material, as well as memoirs, graphic novels and fiction.
The books will be available for anyone to borrow from libraries in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Whitchurch and Market Drayton. The booklist and free reservations for the titles will be offered in all other library branches in the county.
The books have been selected through a rigorous process by a panel of health professionals. The scheme has also been developed in consultation with young people, facilitated by the mental health charity YoungMinds.
Stuart West, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said:
“In the heart of our communities, libraries are well-placed to offer support, information and a welcoming space, and it is good to see this role acknowledged so effectively with the introduction of the Reading Well Shelf-Help for young people. It is important for young people to have an easy access to up-to-date collection like this to help them understand their mental health and well-being.”
To highlight the new collections, a number of free events are happening:
Bridgnorth Library – Friday 15 April 2016: Drumming Workshop 5pm-6.30pm.
Ludlow Library – Saturday 16 April 2016: Colouring Session and coffee morning with Loudwater Studios 11am-1pm.
Whitchurch Library – Tuesday 19 April 2016: Creative Writing Session with Che Golding 1pm-2.30pm.
Market Drayton Library – Wednesday 20 April: “Write to the Point” Creative Writing Session 3.30pm-4.30pm
Shrewsbury Library – Saturday 23 April: Smoothie Bar with YHC Diabetit Dance and Colouring session 11am-12.00 midday.
For more information, contact Nicola Dawson or Annabel Gittins (library commissioning managers for children and young people) on 01743 255031 or email nicola.dawson@shropshire.gov.uk and annabel.gittins@shropshire.gov.uk
For further information on Reading Well for young people visit www.reading-well.org.uk/shelfhelp
For more information about Shropshire Libraries click here, and for more information about library events visit http://new.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/library-events/.
