THE benefits of reading books are widely preached – they improve knowledge and vocabulary, reduce stress and sharpen memory. However a team of medical experts have written a collection that takes readers with mental health problems on a journey to recovery.

Libraries in Denbigh, Ruthin and Rhyl are topping their shelves with the new Reading Well Books on Prescription collection about mental health.

One in four people experience a mental health issue at some point and the overall cost of mental health conditions in Wales is estimated at £7.2 billion.

The collection of 37 books includes health information, self-help and inspirational personal stories, such The Recovery Letters anthology of heartfelt letters written by people who have recovered or are recovering from depression.

The books can be recommended by health professionals to patients, and the public can self-refer borrow them free of charge as they would any other book from a library.

Professor Neil Frude, consultant clinical psychologist and founder of the Book Prescription Wales initiative, said: “It is estimated that there are currently over 400,000 adults in Wales with a diagnosable mental condition. Thankfully there are several highly effective ways of delivering psychological help, including the use of self-help books written by expert clinicians, otherwise known as ‘bibliotherapy’.”

The book collection was developed by The Reading Agency, leading health organisations including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mind and the Royal College of General Practitioners, as well as people who have experienced mental health themselves or through their relatives.

The Welsh Government decided to fund the scheme following its success in England, where more than 2 million books were borrowed. The majority of the titles have been translated into Welsh and all programme materials are bilingual.

Meira Jones, senior librarian at Denbigh and Ruthin Library, said: “Health and well-being is a vital part of what libraries do; they provide a safe and neutral place for people to visit.

“The book collection been tried and tested to help people with common health problems and difficult emotions or experiences.”

Debbie Hicks, The Reading Agency’s creative director, added: “Reading has proven power to help people manage their own mental health and wellbeing. Many of the books will be available in Welsh for the first time, enabling the scheme to reach even more people.”