Books are the right medicine

Depression sufferer Hayley Nicholls was diagnosed in her early twenties and she did what many in her generation do.

She had a problem so she Googled it.

Only later did she learn, she was led down a path of terrifying statistics and “salacious” detail.

She was lucky, she knew when it was time to stop and she knew she needed to seek professional help but she was scared.

One day in a doctor’s waiting room, she didn’t respond when paged by a receptionist : “They called my name, three times, and I just cried and cried,” she said.

“But then someone came over to me and put their hand on me and said, ‘Hayley thank you for coming’,” she said.

Ms Nicholls is a beyondblue volunteer who spoke to a room of 30 people at Orange City Library on Friday to help launch the Books on Prescription initiative.

The initiative was created by Central West Libraries in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Remote and Rural Mental Health and is designed to help people gain access to trusted material to aid in managing their mental health concerns.

Books on Prescription is an Australian first and uses self-help reading materials endorsed by health professionals and is available in libraries across central and far western NSW.

University of Newcastle’s Dr Scott Fitzpatrick said the scheme was designed to combat issues facing rural people such as a lack of access to specialists and the distance from services.

“We talk about issues of access and not just about distance, issues of long waiting lists for specialist services in some cases,” he said.

“People might be reluctant to seek out services or might not feel it’s appropriate as a first step.

“Intervention and prevention is really important and that’s where we see Books on Prescription as fitting into mental health treatment in the community.”

Orange City Councillor Ron Gander said mental health problems affect the sufferer but also their loved ones.

He said the books could be used by friends and family of sufferers to find out how they can help and what to say.

“In many cases people with an illness like this are in real denial,” he said.

Central West Libraries manager Jan Richards said the books provide information on various mental illnesses from depression to anxiety and a range of sleep problems.

The resources offer practical step-by-step techniques and strategies for successfully managing and over-coming mental health problems, she said.

For information go to www.booksonprescription.com.au

GOOD MEDICINE: Central West Libraries chair Janelle Culverson, beyondblue volunteer Hayley Nicholls, Central West Libraries manager Jan Richards and Orange City councillor Ron Gander at Friday's launch.