Home » Libraries » Books and Reading » Books the Healthy Option
Books the Healthy Option
A range of recommended self-help titles on mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks are available to borrow from Idea Stores and libraries.
Books available
The list of twenty four titles cover mental health problems including anger, anxiety, bereavement, depression, eating difficulties, phobias, self-esteem, stress and trauma. All titles are aimed at adults and are in English
Books - the healthy option book list [PDF format] [107.95 KB] [8 pages]
Selected titles available in French, Polish and Spanish [PDF format] [28.09 KB] [1 page]
A wide range of further self help books on these and other subjects are also available in the Stores and Libraries.
Books - the healthy option scheme
With this confidential self-help book prescription service local doctors and mental health professionals can recommend self-help books to people with common emotional problems.
How the scheme works
If your doctor thinks that you will benefit from using a self-help book the recommended title[s] will be marked on a book list which you can take to your local Idea Store or library to obtain the book. If you are already a member and familiar with the way the books are organised you can find the book on the shelves and take it to the self-service point or Help desk to borrow it. If you are not familiar with the library, staff will help you get a membership card and find the book on the shelves.
Reserve books free of charge
If a book is not on the shelf it can be reserved free of charge, by placing a request with a member of staff or online.
Information in other languages
Visit Working For Less for downloadable information in other languages, including 'Depression and Low Mood' and 'How to Cope With Panic Attacks'.
Books for parents of children with emotional problems
Parents of children with emotional problems may find the books on these lists helpful:
Healthy Books
Books to Help Children and Families
Feel Better With a Book Reading Group
Come along to one of the Idea Store “Feel better with a book” reading groups.
These are friendly and informal session for all those who enjoy reading or listening to a good story.
• The group is open to all, readers and non-readers alike.
• No need to have read a particular book in advance.
• An opportunity to listen and to talk about books in a friendly and relaxing environment.
• Sessions are free to all.
• Refreshments are provided
Every Tuesday 3 - 5pm at Idea Store Bow
Every Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm at Idea Store Whitechapel
For more information about Books - the healthy option
For more information contact the Idea Store Manager Bow on 020 7364 5775.
Self-Help Audio & DVDs
First Way Forward is a range of CDs offering listeners of all ages support to resolve problems, boost self-esteem and heighten wellbeing. Adult titles can be found with the books on health issues, while titles dealing with children's problems are kept with Parent's Collections. The titles are in stock at Idea Stores Bow, Chrisp Street and Whitechapel, and can be reserved free of charge by asking staff at any store or library or online.
For more information and a complete list of the subjects covered visit W F Howes
A list of additional self-help resources on CD and DVD that are also available [in pdf format]
On-line resources
Living life to the full on-line is a powerful new free life skills resource. The course has been written by a psychiatrist experienced in using a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy approach to life skills issues.
[Please note that the self-help titles “Overcoming depression and low mood” and “Overcoming anxiety” by Dr Chris Williams are workbooks and therefore not available from Idea Stores or Libraries]
Beating the blues is a subscription course for people with depression. Idea Stores are working with Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust to offer free supported sessions using this course in Idea Stores. More details will appear on this page when the scheme is introduced.
Florid is a website run by mental health service users for people who have experienced mental health difficulties. It aims to bring together information relating to mental health in a way that is user-friendly and simple.
Download free podcasts of techniques for dealing with anxiety, stress, sleep problems etc from the Mental Health Foundation web site.
Have Your Say
We welcome your feedback. Contact us and let us know what you think about the scheme.
