GPs, health professionals, their patients and members of the general public now have access to a new selection of self-help books through the 'Power of Words' bibliotherapy scheme, being launched on Friday 10th October at 11.00am at the County Library, Abbey Street, Roscommon. by the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr John Cummins.
This is a joint initiative between the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), and Roscommon County Council: Library Services. The collection features a selection of books which have been read, reviewed and recommended by a group of psychologists and GPs working in Ireland as the best self-help books available.
Bibliotherapy is the use of books for therapeutic purposes. There is very good evidence for the effectiveness of high quality self-help books with psychological problems such as mild and moderate depression, anxiety, panic and eating disorders. Studies have demonstrated that the best books can produce results comparable to those of drug therapy or psychotherapy. It can be highly effective when used as the main source of help, or in addition to prescribed medication or counselling.
This updated scheme builds on the first scheme launched in 2007 and reflects the Library Services ongoing commitment to promoting collections, proving updated materials and developing projects with other organisations and agencies to provide public awareness.
The 'Power of Words' brochure with a list of the self-help books will be circulated to all GPs throughout the County and the public libraries branch network. GPs and other professionals working in mental health, such as counsellors, nurses and psychologists can recommend a high quality self-help book from this list to patients with mild to moderate psychological problems.
Members of the public can also access the list and word book reviews directly from the HSE website http://www.hse.ie/powerofwords/ and Roscommon County Council: Library Services website http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Library/Bibliotherapy/
For further details contact.
County Library, Abbey Street, Roscommon: PH 090-66-37326
