Equality and Diversity: promoting good practice in library workMitchell Library, 17th November 2009

Claire Scott Libraries & Information Services Manager East Renfrewshire Council

Healthy Reading

East Renfrewshire’s Health

• 7.5% of people state that their health is not good

(10.1 nationally)• 8% of the population prescribed drugs for anxiety,

depression and psychosis (8.2 nationally)

• 450 out of 100,000 hospital admissions are

alcohol-related (723 nationally)• 7.5 % of the working population is income deprived

(13.9 nationally)

Mental Health – A National Picture

• It is estimated that 1 in 4 of us will experience mental difficulties at any one time

• Problems such as anxiety and depression account for 30% of all GP consultations

• Evidence suggests that self-help is effective in helping people in overcoming mild mental health problems

Healthy Reading – An Introduction

• Arose from a partnership between East Renfrewshire Libraries and NHS Boards with funding up to £10K

• Purchased multiple copies of 42 titles covering issues such as stress, anxiety, low mood and low self-esteem

• Titles were recommended by health professionals and people who had found particular books very helpful

• The books provide simple step by step approaches to enable people to deal with their mental health issues

• Healthy Reading offers collections of high quality and specialised books and information

• The catalyst for the development of healthinformation points

Using the Healthy Reading Collection

• Community Libraries across East Renfrewshire now offer easy access to the Healthy Reading collection

• All the titles are available in a Healthy Reading booklist on the Library Service website

• Health Information Points signpost the collections in the libraries

• Readers can join the library and borrow any title immediately – over 100 books issued per month

• GPs and Mental Health Professionals can refer people to their local library for books and further health information

Healthy Reading - Examples

Why Libraries?

• Libraries well-placed to deliver key council agendas and to deliver on outcomes for the Single Outcome Agreement• “Community” libraries – small to medium sized

buildings in the heart of our town and villages• Non-threatening• Customers trust and value the service

• Already in the business of providing information• Knowledgeable staff• A role to play in improving information

literacy

Keeping Healthy – Our Next Steps

• MyHealth Initiative developed with £46,000 of funding from the Scottish Library and Information Council’s (SLIC) Public Library Quality Improvement fund

• Key Deliverables• myhealth website• Branded health information points for libraries• Printed directory of advice and support• Health guides • Online support directory• Health literacy e-module• Staff training

myhealth website

Health Information Point

Further Initiatives

• Relaxation and therapy rooms in libraries

• Healthy eating and mood food events

• Outreach with partners• ACUMEN (Argyle and Clyde

United in Mental Health) –healthy reading books complimenting existing resources and allowing them to improve their postal service

• Causeway One Stop Shop – healthy reading collection now available for clients, carers and staff

Our Partners

• East Renfrewshire Information Advice Forum (ERIAF)• NHS Education • Public Education Resource Library (PERL)• Better Barrhead • Eastwood Bridges Primary Care Mental Health team• Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP)• Health Improvement Team (HIT)• Community Planning and Development Team• Local Health Centres• Sandyford Hub

The Outcomes of Healthy Reading

• Residents of East Renfrewshire have easy access to recommended self-help titles

• Partnerships have been strengthened as a result of joint working

• Strong foundations to take advantage of future health developments

• Through evaluations, our users report that they value the ease of access to the Healthy Reading collection and to related health information and services

Claire Scott

claire.scott@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/libraries

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/myhealth