Prescription is a Good Self Help Book ; LIBRARIES

PATIENTS suffering from anxiety and panic attacks could be prescribed a visit to a city centre library to pick up a good read. Birmingham health organisations and city council libraries have launched a new scheme to get people with mental health problems helping themselves.

Under the new Book Prescription Scheme, patients could be sent to the Central Library by their GPs to borrow a pre-approved self-help book.

Patients do not have to be members of the library but will be asked to join when they hand over their prescription.

Public libraries will be spending pounds 8,000 stocking up on several copies of the recommended books.

Clinicians believe this drug-free, self-administered alternative could greatly benefit patients.

Marian Dwyer, from Primary Care Mental Health, said: “Many self- help books have been found to be extremely useful in helping people overcome a range of psychological problems.

“It’s a scheme designed to help people to help themselves. It includes a range of books aimed at helping people overcome such problems as depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks and obsessional behaviour.”

Councillor Ray Hassall, Birmingham City council cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “I’m delighted that the city council’s libraries are working with the health authorities on this innovative new project.”

(c) 2007 Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.