Healthy Reading Scheme
Healthy Reading Scheme Book List
All families have questions or difficulties from time to time. Many people – perhaps even the majority – develop emotional or psychological problems at some stage during their lives. There is good evidence that the best self-help books can be very effective in helping people during such stressful times.
The aim of the Clare Library Healthy Reading Scheme is to make high quality self-help books more accessible to families and adults experiencing mild to moderate emotional problems.
The scheme involves GPs and other health professionals recommending specific books to their clients from a list compiled by psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists.
You can borrow recommended books at any of the public libraries in Clare. Books can be borrowed for four weeks.
The recommended titles have been used by many people who have found them helpful. Like other “self-help” methods, it will need some effort on your part. You might wish to set aside some special regular time to read the book and follow any advice or instructions it contains.
Some questions you may have:
Q. Do I have to be a member of the library to
use this service?
A. Yes. If you’re not an existing member of the library you can
join when you pick up your book. Just bring along some photo identification
and something which displays your name and address.
Q. What if the book is unavailable?
A. If a copy is unavailable at one branch the librarian will obtain another
copy for you from another branch.
Q. Can books really help?
A. Yes, there is very good evidence that books can help individuals and
families who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional problems. The
books on this scheme have been specially selected by health care professionals
for their quality. However, effectiveness also depends on how much effort
the reader puts into following the guidance given by the book. Of course,
not everyone will be helped in this way.
Q. What if the book doesn’t help?
A. We know that the books on the list often do prove useful, but they
are not going to be effective for everyone. If you have tried to use the
book, but you find your difficulty or distress persists, then you may
need to visit a health professional so that further advice can be obtained.
Useful websites
Adult Mental Health
www.aware.ie
www.grow.ie
www.bodywhys.ie
www.sirl.ie
www.drugs.ie
www.samaritans.org
www.alzheimer.ie
www.headwayireland.ie
www.mentalhealthireland.ie
www.yourmentalhealth.ie
www.irishadvocacynetwork.com
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
www.mind.org.uk
www.ias.ie
www.mhcirl.ie
www.cci.health.wa.gov.au
Children & Families
www.barnardos.ie
www.childrensrights.ie
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
www.endchildpoverty.ie
www.ispcc.ie
www.irishhealth.com
www.youth.ie
Other
www.carersireland.com
www.fedvol.ie
For further information contact Clare County Library,
Mill Road, Ennis, County Clare.
Tel: 065-6846350, email: mailbox@clarelibrary.ie,
website: www.clarelibrary.ie
