Skip to content

Books on Prescription

Feeling Low? Lying awake worrying? Stressed?

The books and audio CDs help with a range of commonly experienced mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and stress.

Watch this video on YouTube

> Back to top

How the scheme works

  • You are given a book prescription by your GP or mental health professional.
  • Take this to your local library, where staff will help find the book or audio CD.
  • BOP collections are located in 17 libraries, and they can be obtained at any library in the county.
  • If you are not already a member of the library you can join immediately using the book prescription as identification and take the book/s home.
  • Books are issued for 3 weeks and can be renewed if no-one is waiting for them.
  • The recommended books are also available for anyone to read.

> Back to top

How to prescribe & who can prescribe

BOP is currently available across Warwickshire for GPs, IAPT Practitioners, Mental Health Professionals within Warwickshire County Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, Occupational Health within public bodies and Wellbeing Centres to prescribe for their patients and service users

Books can be selected using the list on the prescription form and brief descriptions of the books:

Prescriber guide (pdf, 810 Kb)

Prescription form (pdf, 1.58 Mb)

Brief descriptions of the books / audio CDs

User guide (pdf, 554Kb)

We are planning to extend the scheme to other health professionals.

Any other organisations can signpost people to the library, as the books are available for anyone using the library to read and borrow. If you would like to become a Prescriber, please contact the BOP Coordinator - see contact details below.

> Back to top

The books

The BOP titles are recommended by health professionals.

Most of the books are written by leading psychologists and many present self-help versions of established treatment programmes.

They can help you learn about and manage a range of common mental health problems.

> Back to top

Search, Rate & Review

Find the book on the library catalogue using the link below and click on a title.

To use the rating & review system , choose a title, scroll to the bottom of the page to read the review and click the link to add your own.

Recent customer comments...

"I don’t really do self help stuff, but my goodness, I was really surprised at my reactions when reading the one with the smiley face on the cover about managing stress. I loved the graphics and the biodots, and I am learning how to cope . Thanks for letting me use this great book"

"The Black Dog should be mandatory reading for every school / college / university male student, and a few staff too. As a Man, I really did my best to hide my depression until it was all too late and I had a breakdown. The black Dog books have been at my side, and now my own black Dog is a mere Puppy"

> Back to top

Libraries with BOP collections

> Back to top

Wellbeing Centres with BOP Collections

North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth Resource Cafes (pdf, 53Kb)

Leamington - Wellbeing Centre, Mind

Stratford - Springfield Wellbeing Exchange, Mind

Rugby - Wellbeing Centre, Mind

Warwick - The Old Bank Wellbeing Project, Rethink

> Back to top

Links to local services

Mental Health Services. An overview of local help and support provided by Warwickshire County Council in partnership with Warwickshire's Community and Voluntary Sector.

Community Groups and Organisations A searchable database of local groups, including mental health support groups, as well as clubs, leisure societies, etc.

> Back to top

Useful national organisations' websites

Anxiety UK UK site with information on anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions, agoraphobia, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, and many other anxiety related disorders.

NHS Choices Health and wellbeing website, including information about conditions, treatments and living a healthy lifestyle.

Rethink Information about mental health illnesses and disorders, together with useful information about everyday living with a mental illness.

Mind Comprehensive coverage of mental health topics, including anger management, bereavement, depression, eating disorders, panic attacks, sleep problems and stress.

Mental Health Foundation Comprehensive A-Z of mental health issues.

Cruse Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.

> Back to top

Frequently asked questions about the books on prescription service

What is books on prescription? (BOP)

This scheme enables GPs and mental health professionals to offer their patients and service users self help books available from the local library. The books are recommended by health professionals, and they can help people learn about and manage a range of commonly experienced mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and stress. Most of the books are written by leading psychologists and many present self-help versions of established treatment programmes.

What does the term "Mental Health" actually mean?

The term 'mental health problems' is one that covers a range of experiences and situations. Mental health could be viewed as an ongoing journey, from mental well-being through to a severe and enduring mental illness. We all experience changes in our mental health state, influenced by social, personal, financial and other factors. Major life events such as a close bereavement, or leaving home, can impact significantly on how we feel about ourselves, and can lead to depression and anxiety.

How do we know that BOP actually works?

The scheme originated in Cardiff in 2004, and has spread to many other local authority areas, where it has proved popular with patients and health professionals. In Warwickshire BOP was initially piloted in the North of the county, and is now being extended across the county in partnership Warwickshire's Community and Voluntary Sector and NHS Warwickshire.

How will BOP be evaluated?

The BOP scheme is monitored and reviewed by a Steering Group of representatives from partner organisations, who will look at the numbers of books borrowed and prescribed. BOP users can add their comments on the books via the Rate and Review link on the BOP webpage. The Steering Group will review the comments and use of the books, together with any suggestions for new titles on a six-monthly basis. In addition, the group is keen to receive any feedback on the service both from prescribers and BOP users - for contact details see Contact Us below.

Once I have a prescription, what do I do with it?

Your GP or mental health professional will give you a prescription to take to the library, where staff will help you to find the book. There are 17 libraries which have BOP collections but they can also be obtained for you free of charge from any other local library or mobile library in Warwickshire, or via the Home Library Service.

What if I’m not a member of the library?

You can join the library immediately using your book prescription. As long as your prescription has your name and address on it, you won’t be asked for further identification. And you can use your library card to borrow other books, CDs, DVDs and use computers.

How long can I borrow the books with my prescription?

BOP books are issued for 3 weeks, and this can be extended as long as no-one else is waiting. You can renew online or phone the Renewal Line 01926 499273.

What if I don’t like reading or find it difficult to find the time?

We have a selection of talking books which are a perfect alternative.

What if the book doesn’t help?

The books may not work for everyone, and you should go back to your GP or mental health professional for further advice. They will probably want to see you anyway to review your treatment.

Is the books on prescription service confidential?

It is completely confidential. Staff do not give out or keep any information about who is borrowing the book or what the book is about.

Is there a charge for the BOP service?

Book prescriptions are provided free of charge.

Can anyone else read the books without a prescription?

Yes, all the books in the BOP collections are available for anyone to read in the usual way. They are available to borrow for 3 weeks and can be renewed as long as no-one is waiting, and may be reserved at all library service points.

What else can I expect from the library?

We hope that you will enjoy visiting the library. As well as books, libraries have music CDs and DVDs for hire. You can also access computers and the Internet in all libraries, with the first 30 minutes free of charge to library members. Library staff can answer information queries, and libraries stock a range of leaflets and local information. Explore our website for more details.

> Back to top

Books on Prescription is provided by Warwickshire Library and Information Service and Adult Mental Health Services, in partnership with Warwickshire's Community and Voluntary Sector and NHS Warwickshire.