Reading Well for Young People Find Shelf Help in your Local Library

Need Pressures of modern living: 10% of children and young people have a diagnosable mental health condition Increasing in adolescence to 13% of boys, 10% of girls 3 children in every classroom 1:10 self harm 300,000 with anxiety disorders 70% not receiving early help Implications for adult health and well being

Can Reading Help? Evidence base for reading at: readingagency.org.uk/readingwell/evidencebase readingagency.org.uk/readingwell/evidencebase Builds the key determinants of health – literacy, learning, resilience and empathy Delivers: Health information and advice Book-based therapy Mood-boosting fiction and poetry Social reading/reading groups Libraries: Free access to reading

The Public Library Health Offer Public library health assets: Trusted community space Assisted digital access Access to key communities and vulnerable groups Health information and signposting National reading programmes Social reading and recreational activity Volunteering and engagement

Reading Well Books on Prescription Scheme for Young People Reading Well Books on Prescription Scheme for Young People Developed by ASCEL, SCL, TRA Arts Council/Wellcome Trust funding Endorsed by national health organisations Delivered by local library services working with public health Curated, quality assured self-help reading list helping young people to understand/manage their mental health Using a referral/self-referral model Universally available

Supported by the Department of Health and NHS England Endorsed and developed with national health partners Supported by voluntary sector mental health charities Signposted via NHS Choices- English public health web portal Health Partnerships

Framework for Reading Well for Young People 13–18 year olds 35 titles over 12 topics, e.g. anxiety and depression and life experiences such as bullying Different formats/reading levels Non fiction, information and advice plus fiction and personal stories Signposting to professional support and other library wellbeing activities – e.g Reading Hack : readinghack.org.uk readinghack.org.uk

Quality Assured Process Responding to need Delivering public health policy priorities Evidence based and working within clinical guidelines Developed with expert support Co-creation with young people including those with lived experience

Co-Creation with Young People Partnership with Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds Workshops with young people with lived experience and in schools Feedback on conditions featured, books and language and approach Focus on branding, materials, marketing

Findings of Consultation Process Young people like: Reading Well not BOP Health endorsement Free community access Fiction and self -help Manageable content length Good visuals Right tone Humour

‘ You can judge a book by its cover. What else are you going to go on? ’

Reading Well National Evidence Reach: 445,000 people 100% increase in loans of common mental health conditions titles 346% increase in loans of dementia titles 6,500 prescribers using the scheme regularly Positive feedback on the scheme and the value of libraries’ health role 73% self referral rate

User Impact Adult mental health 90% of users surveyed found books helpful for understanding more about their condition 85% more confident about managing symptoms 55% said that symptoms had improved Evaluation report: readingagency.org.uk/news/RWBOPE valuationReport2015.pdf readingagency.org.uk/news/RWBOPE valuationReport2015.pdf

Partnership Model Delivering Value for Money 80% of library authorities working with health partners Funding for book collections, leaflets, events Support for partnership building and prescriber support Free digital resources National cost average £1 a person

The Final Word The Final Word ‘ We know that better information leads to better choices about health and better self care. Innovative programmes like this, that align the health system with community services like libraries, could really improve the health and wellbeing of the general public.’ James Kingsland, President National Association of Primary Care

[ Local contact details] reading-well.org.uk/shelfhelp