Books on prescription in the Boro
New scheme launches today
A scheme to help young people manage their mental health and emotional wellbeing is being launched in Middlesbrough. An event at Middlesbrough Central Library on Tuesday, May 17, from 3pm-5pm, will see the introduction of the new Reading Well for young people Books on Prescription scheme. The idea is to provide 13-18-year-olds with access to books with high quality information on a wide-range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm, and difficult life pressures like bullying and exams. The booklist of 35 titles features self-help and psycho-education material, as well as memoirs, graphic novels and fiction. A need for the scheme has been raised with the proportion of 15-16-year-olds reporting that they frequently feel anxious or depressed having doubled in the last 30 years. Co-created with a panel of young people who have had experience of mental health issues, the new Reading Well scheme helps young people to understand and manage their wellbeing and emotional resilience. The books can be recommended by GPs, school nurses, counsellors and other health professionals as well as being free to borrow from the library. Cllr Mick Thompson, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Communities and Public Health, said: "Since this scheme was first launched in 2013 it has proved a valuable service to many young people in the town. "Any young person, or anyone who cares for a young person, experiencing any mental health issue should be aware of this scheme and the help that these books may be able to offer." To find out more about the scheme go to If you have any questions regarding the scheme or the event contact Diane Fleet on 01642 729417 or diane_fleet@middlesbrough.gov.uk or Ruth Cull on 01642 729409 or ruth_cull@middlesbrough.gov