World Mental Health Day and the 2016/17 evaluation of Reading Well

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise mental health awareness by promoting the powerful work that libraries do to improve the wellbeing of local people. We’re marking the day with the release of the 2016/17 evaluation of Reading Well, celebrating the impact of the scheme and the wider Universal Health offer on community health and wellbeing. Our evaluators spoke to a range of stakeholders to assess Reading Well’s impact, including health professionals, library staff and users of the scheme.

What users said

The scheme has reached approximately 778,000 users since its launch, and Reading Well has had a hugely positive response from them: 90% found the common mental health conditions booklist helpful or very helpful and 96% said the same of the dementia and young people’s booklists. This was the first time the impact of Reading Well for young people has been evaluated and the clear message is that the young people had found the books they had read helpful in understanding their mental health and wellbeing and dealing with difficult feelings and experiences.

What library staff said

Reading Well remains a key driver of the Society of Chief Librarian’s (SCL) Health Offer, with 98% of English library authorities now participating in one or more of the Reading Well schemes. Library staff described the strengths of Reading Well for young people in particular as raising mental health awareness, reducing stigma and providing reliable information that can be accessed easily and anonymously. The neutral and safe environment of the library was highlighted as strength of the scheme, as well as the fact that it was free to use.

What health professionals said

90% of health professionals surveyed reported that they used the booklist to provide patients with general information and advice. One interviewee described how they had integrated the booklist into their practice:

“One of my patients suffers of social anxiety: we are working together using the book that I prescribed to him. He reads one chapter or paragraph every week, and our conversation starts from that. He finds it very useful.”

The interviews highlighted how health professionals view the scheme as a way to extend their role. A nurse discussed the value of being able to signpost to the booklist, saying “sometimes I have the feeling that I haven’t much to offer, except for a shoulder to cry on. Whereas a book to read is something tangible, something else to suggest and offer.”

Get involved

• Download the 2016/17 evaluation and our sharable infographic now
• Use #WorldMentalHealthDay on social media
• Browse the Reading Well booklists to find out more about the scheme