Members of the public can now talk to mental health practitioners about common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety in Cumbria's main libraries.

The award winning Well Read scheme is a partnership between Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Cumbria County Council. The scheme provides libraries with a range of self help books, DVDs and audio CDs, and encourages people to use these resources to manage their mental health.

In addition to this, the First Step service, which can help people with mild to moderate mental health problems, is holding drop-in sessions to help advise people with depression or problems with anxiety such as panic attacks, trauma, phobias or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Dr Richard Thwaites, Clinical Lead for First Step, says "Research tells us that for many people, self-help books and leaflets can be very valuable in helping people understand the problem and find a way forward. The libraries have got a fantastic selection of self help resources and now people can get some guidance about which book might be helpful for them." 

Cllr Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: "The Well Read programme started three years ago and has been a big success, winning recognition in the North West Public Health Awards. Last year, we saw more than 3,000 items borrowed from the collection. This further extension of the service means that the county council and NHS are continuing to work together in partnership to deliver a much needed and valued service in a way which is ideally suited to Cumbria's rural location."

First Step practitioners will be on hand to offer help and advice at libraries in Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal, Barrow and Carlisle. For further information and drop-in session dates visit www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/firststep-self-help-resources.htm