I had intended to feature the Reading Agency’s Reading Well campaign over a month ago on 10th October, but sadly, and a little ironically, life got the better of me.

As someone who used to teach English 11-18 year olds I know only too well the way books can be a support to those whose lives are less than perfect or those who suffer mental health problems. Indeed, when my own mental health is feeling fragile, books can be the balm I need to reset my equilibrium.

What is Reading Well?

Reading Well has been developed by national charity The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected and the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) Cymru, and is delivered with public libraries. There are 5 Reading Well booklists which support people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing using helpful reading. Over 3 million Reading Well books have been borrowed from libraries since 2013. Find out about other Reading Well booklists at your local library or visit readingwell.org.uk.

Reading Well for Teens

Reading Well for teens supports the mental health and wellbeing of teenagers, providing helpful information, advice and support to help them better understand their feelings, handle difficult experiences and boost confidence. The list has been developed as an update to the 2016 Reading Well for Young People (“Shelf Help”) list and is focused on supporting teens’ mental health and wellbeing in a post-pandemic context.

The booklist is targeted at teenagers (13-18) and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement. Some of the recommended books suggest useful self-help techniques; there are also personal stories, graphic formats, and fiction.

Alongside the books are a selection of quality assured age-appropriate digital resources. The books have been chosen by young people, leading health professionals and library staff.

The book selection panel included colleagues from Royal College of GPs, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Nursing, British Psychological Society, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, NHS England, Mind, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and the School Library Association.

The new Reading Well for teens booklist launched nationally on 10th October 2022 on World Mental Health Day.

About The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency is a national charity helping people to tackle life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading to deliver a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life.

You can find out more by visiting their website, following them on Twitter @readingagency or Instagram and finding them on Facebook.