Shropshire Libraries are launching their partnership with the online mental health service for children and young people Kooth.  Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. It can be accessed through the computers within the libraries or on their own device using the free WIFI available in all libraries. Library staff have been trained to assist with the accessing of the website.

As well as providing Kooth. Shropshire Libraries are supporting young people’s and adult’s mental health with collections of self-help books covering mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders and low self-esteem. 

There are similar book collections offering help for people living with dementia and other long-term conditions, their families and carers, including information and advice, personal stories and ideas for therapeutic activities.  Some of the titles in these collections are also available as e-books. To see the book lists for these collections follow the website to the Health and Wellbeing page, Reading Well Self-Help Scheme and choose the relevant related documents.

Free computer access is available in all libraries; visit the Healthy Shropshire website for all kinds of information on how to make healthy changes in your lifestyle.  You can also find local support groups on the Shropshire Community Directory, renew and request books online and download e-books and e-magazines free of charge.

A variety of events will take place in branches across Shropshire during Mental Health Awareness week.  To see what is happening in your local library follow the link to https://shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/library-events or if you would like to find out more about Kooth or the Shropshire Libraries Health and Wellbeing offer please contact the team at libraries@shropshire.gov.uk or phone 01743 255024.