The Reading Well for Young People scheme is aimed at 13- to 18-year-olds, and provides them with a recommended reading list covering mental health issues from depression to eating disorders, and from anxiety to self-harm, bullying and exam pressure.

The books can be recommended by GPs, counsellors and school nurses, and the list of titles will be available to borrow from libraries across Barnsley. The list is put together by young people and endorsed by health experts. It includes a range of self-help and information titles, as well as memoir, graphic novels and fiction.

Wendy Lowder, Acting Executive Director for Communities, said: “We’re delighted to launch the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme in Barnsley’s libraries. Stories are essential to maintaining our wellbeing and the Reading Well scheme is a great way of empowering young people to take control of their own mental wellbeing.”

Dr Mark Smith, local GP and Barnsley CCG Governing Body Mental Health Lead said: “It’s great that young people’s mental health issues are being helped with schemes such as Reading Well for Young People. About 1 in 10 young people in Barnsley experience a mental health issue – that’s three people in every classroom. The books offer a fantastic opportunity to help people to improve their mental health and I'd strongly recommend that young people and their parents take a look”

For more information on the scheme visit www.barnsley.gov.uk/libraries