Health and Wellbeing

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Health and Wellbeing

Buckinghamshire Libraries supports Reading Well, a national scheme from The Reading Agency. The scheme supports five lists of recommended books from a range of self-help books which have proven value in helping people who live with common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, anger and panic attacks.

The five lists are:

Reading Well for mental health
Reading Well for children
Reading Well for teens
Reading Well for dementia
Reading Well for long term conditions

You can also browse our Mood-boosting book list for some uplifting titles and the Macmillan cancer core book list, for information about cancer and people's experiences of living with cancer.

Other useful health information:

Health and Wellbeing in Bucks - local mental health resources

Reading Well for mental health

Reading Well for mental health provides helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions, or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences. Some books also include personal stories from people who are living with or caring for someone with mental health needs.

The books are available to borrow from your local library. Selected titles are also available to borrow as eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Reading Well for children

Reading Well for children provides quality-assured information, stories and advice to support children’s mental health and wellbeing. Books have been chosen and recommended by leading health professionals and co-produced with children and families.

The booklist is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers. Selected titles are also available to borrow as eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Reading Well for young people

Reading Well for teens recommends expert endorsed books about mental health, providing 13 to 19 year olds with advice and information about issues like anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying and exams.

The books have all been recommended by young people and health professionals. Selected titles are also available to borrow as eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Reading Well for dementia

Reading Well for dementia recommends books you might find helpful if you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia or would like to find out more about the condition.

The books provide information and advice, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers, and personal stories. They are endorsed by health professionals and can all be found in the local library. Selected titles are also available to borrow as eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Reading Well for long term conditions

Reading Well for long term conditions provides information and support for people living with a long term health condition and their carers.

The booklist covers general advice and information about living with a long term condition, common symptoms and titles focused on specific conditions such as arthritis, bowel conditions, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

The books have all been recommended by people with lived experience of long term conditions and health professionals.Selected titles are also available to borrow as eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Mood boosting books

Mood-boosting Books scheme is a national promotion of uplifting titles, including novels, poetry and non-fiction. The books are all recommended by readers and reading groups.

People using the Reading Well scheme may also like to try some mood-boosting fiction or poetry, but the books are not prescribed, endorsed or recommended by health professionals.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Buckinghamshire Libraries work with Macmillan Cancer Support to provide access to information, resources and support for those with cancer and their family, friends and carers.

Macmillan has put together a cancer support list of core titles with information about cancer and people's experiences of living with cancer.