Posted on Monday 9th September 2024
Library staff with some health and wellbeing books
Staffordshire County Council’s library service has revealed its most popular self-help e-books, having seen a surge in recent years.
Health and wellbeing, mindfulness and books on having positive mental health are amongst the titles helping people work through any issues.
The service has published their list as part of World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday 10 September, which is encouraging more people to talk about suicide.
Titles cover a range of topics including general health and wellbeing, motivating yourself and dealing with things like the menopause, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
Topping the list is ‘The Comfort Book’ by Matt Haig, which puts a refreshing perspective on finding peace and contentment amidst life's uncertainties. Matt also takes the number six slot with ‘Notes on a Nervous Planet’, about coping in the modern world.
‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone’ by Lori Gottlieb also made it into the top ten and takes a look behind the scenes from a therapist’s point of view. ‘The Wall’, by former special forces soldier Ant Middleton, provides the ultimate guide to smashing self-doubt to become the true you.
Since March 2020, over 320,702 e-books have been loaned, and the number of people using the e-books service through BorrowBox has increased to almost 18,000 users.
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“We have a wonderful selection of health-related e-books and it’s great to see so many people borrowing them to try and improve their wellbeing.
“Many people continue to see their local library as a trusted place to go for information, including health matters. So, if you’re not already a member of the library or the e-book service, then now’s the time to sign up and take advantage of the resources.”
The top ten most borrowed self-help and wellbeing e-books over the last 12 months are:
- The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
- It’s probably your Hormones by Mary Ryan
- Menopausing by Davina McCall, Naomi Potter
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
- Menopause Bootcamp by Marjorie Korn, Suzanne Gilbert-Lenz
- Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
- Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi
- Wall by Ant Middleton
- Living in the Light by Deepak Chopra
- Allen Carr's Easy Way to Better Sleep by Allen Carr and John Dicey
Support is available for anyone who is worried about their own, or someone else’s mental health:
- North Staffordshire urgent mental health helpline: Call 0800 0 328 728 option 1 (covers Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs Moorlands)
- South Staffordshire urgent mental health helpline: Call 0808 196 3002 (covers Stafford, Stone, Rugeley, Cannock, South Staffs, Lichfield, Burton, Uttoxeter, Tamworth)
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 confidential crisis support helpline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Brighter Futures helpline: Call 0808 800 2234. Text: 0786 002 2821. Email: staffordshire.helpline@brighter-futures.org.uk for a safe place to talk for people who are worried, stressed or low, or if they’re concerned about someone else.
Anyone can learn the skills to save a life from suicide. Fully funded, half-day online sessions are now available from September to December, run by North Staffs Mind, to help anyone to recognise the signs of someone who may be at risk , and how to talk to them to help them. Sessions are available to book at https://bit.ly/PreventSuicideStaffs
For more information on what your local library has to offer, visit the Staffordshire libraries website or find them on Facebook.