Reading Well Books on Prescription helps people manage their wellbeing using self-help reading. The scheme is endorsed by health professionals and supported by public libraries.

This page provides information and resources for people who have been recommended self-help books by their GP, psychological wellbeing practitioner or another health professional as part of the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme.

How does the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme work?

As part of your treatment, you may have been recommended a self-help book by your GP, psychological wellbeing practitioner or another health professional.

Go to your local library where you can borrow the book for free. If the book is not available, you can reserve it. Find your local library.

You'll find more information from the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme leaflet.

About the books

There are 30 self-help titles on the Reading Well Books on Prescription list. Find out more about the self-help books.

You can also read and listen to extracts from some of the books. You may also like to read advice on how to make the most of your self-help book.

What if the book doesn't help?

If you find that the book you're reading isn't helping, you should contact your GP or another health professional.

You can also visit www.iapt.nhs.uk/services and www.nhs.uk/moodzone.

The following organisations also offer help and/or information:

• The Samaritans
• Mind
• Mental Health Helplines Partnership
• The Royal College of Psychiatrists
• BACP's It's Good to Talk

Tell us what you think

We'd like to hear your views on Reading Well Books on Prescription. Please fill in our simple and confidential online feedback form.

Alternatively, you can print out the feedback form and hand it to your local library, where it will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Also available in your local library

Reading Well Mood-boosting Books is the other strand of our Reading Well programme. It is a national promotion of uplifting novels, non-fiction and poetry selected by readers. You may like to try out one of these uplifting titles alongside the self-help books on the Reading Well Books on Prescription list.

You can also find a reading group near you on Reading Groups for Everyone.