A READING scheme in a Teesside town is helping people to tackle conditions such as anxiety and depression Middlesbrough Libraries are taking part in the national Reading Well – Books on Prescription scheme which enables GPs and other health professionals to recommend selected self-help titles for people to borrow from their local library.

Collections of 30 recommended titles are available at the town’s Central, Acklam, North Ormesby and Thorntree libraries, and they can be reserved from any library.

Since the scheme’s launch in July, more than 60 titles have been borrowed in Middlesbrough, with anxiety, stress and depression the most popular topics.

Edward Kunonga, the council’s director of public health, said: “Self-help books can provide very effective help and treatment for a range of common emotional and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, phobias, low self-esteem, panic and eating disorders.”

A number of the titles are also available for download from the Middlesbrough Council Digital Library, which can be accessed at www.middlesbrough.lib.overdrive.com For further information contact Ruth Cull on 01642-249209, Diane Fleet on 01642-729417 or ask for more information at your local library.