GPs may prescribe books instead of medicines

Sep 19 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

PATIENTS who visit their doctors in St Helens could soon be prescribed self-help books rather than conventional medicine.

St Helens Council and Halton and St Helens primary care trust (PCT) last night revealed the initiative as part of events to mark World Mental Health day next month.

Books on Prescription will allow GPs to recommend a library book to help patients manage the difficulties they are experiencing, including anxiety, stress, abuse, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.

It is hoped the scheme may prevent the need to put patients on drugs such as anti-depressants and may free up the availability of mental health services.

The national scheme, taken up by a number of PCTs across the country, includes such titles as “Overcoming Binge Eating”, “Managing Anger”, “10 Days to Great Self Esteem” and “How to Stop Worrying”.

Some of the titles, like “Mind Over Mood” by Dennis Greenberger and Christine Padesky , are considered top learning manuals in the field by professionals. Patients can keep the books for eight weeks, instead of the usual two.

Jen Brown, health improvement specialist for mental health and wellbeing at Halton and St Helens PCT, said: “The Books on Prescription scheme provides people experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues with options on how to manage their situation.

“The books chosen are well respected and offer advice and techniques to assist in the healing process.

“Initially people may be sceptical or unsure of the scheme, and it is not for everybody, but some people have been really motivated by it.”

The service has the support of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence as an alternative approach to treatment.

Bridget O’Connell, information manager of mental health charity Mind, also supported the scheme.

She said: “People have told us that they want more options than just medication when they experience some mental health problems, and this scheme provides an alternative that has been shown to work for many people.”

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