Suffolk Libraries marks World Mental Health Day

Suffolk Libraries, the charity that runs the library service in Suffolk, will be marking World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October by promoting the many ways the library service can improve your wellbeing.

Suffolk Libraries is also working with Get Suffolk Reading to promote The National Literacy Trust’s Take 10 to Read campaign. This initiative aims to highlight the wellbeing benefits of reading by encouraging as many people as possible to stop and read for 10 minutes at 10AM on Monday 10 October.

People are also encouraged to share pictures of themselves reading on social media using the hashtag #Take10ToRead.

Get Suffolk Reading is a Suffolk-based literacy project run by the National Literacy Trust to improve literacy across the county. Research by the National Literacy Trust shows that reading can be an effective way of helping people take care of their mental health and wellbeing. Even reading for just 10 minutes a day can be beneficial for children and adults to help people to relax and unwind and improve memory and concentration. You can read the full report on the National Literacy Trust website.

Supporting literacy and providing free access to books is just one of the many ways in which Suffolk Libraries supports wellbeing across the county. Libraries offer a wide range of activities which can help improve wellbeing and mental health and there are specialist collections of books focused on health and wellbeing for adults and for children and young people.

There are also lists of recommended books on the Suffolk Libraries website covering subjects such as bullying, positive representations of disability, the menopause and many other issues.

Jane Cox, Suffolk Libraries Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, said:

“Supporting people’s wellbeing is a vital part of what we do. Libraries are safe, supportive non-judgemental spaces which provide access to a huge range of opportunities, information and reading materials. At a time when many are struggling with the cost of living, it’s important to remind people that this is all free too, so it’s a great opportunity to spread the word to people who might not be aware of what we offer.

“Our libraries also run Open Space drop-ins and social activities for older people, and our library staff are also skilled and knowledgeable about signposting people to other organisations who can help people with their health and wellbeing.”

Wellbeing Suffolk will be hosting a Wellbeing Friends event at Ipswich County Library on Monday for the chance for people to learn about wellbeing and how they can help others.

Find out more about how Suffolk Libraries can help improve wellbeing.