Books on doctors’ orders in Cardiff

Mental health patients in Cardiff are to be offered a choice of 35
self-help books on prescription, under the first scheme of its kind
in the UK.

The Bibliotherapy scheme, run by Cardiff Council in partnership
with Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust, involves patients receiving a
“book prescription” entitling them to borrow a list of recommended
books from the council’s 22 libraries. The 35 books have been
recommended by mental health clinicians and will be used as part of
the treatment of patients with psychological and emotional
problems.

The scheme is currently only open to adults but could be extended
to children at a later date.