Mental Health Awareness Week: Support, stories and wellbeing resources from Sutton Libraries

 

Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to pause, check in with ourselves and others, and explore the support available in our community. At Sutton Libraries, we offer a wide range of free resources to support mental health and wellbeing, from trusted self-help books and digital collections to events, children’s reading recommendations and friendly help getting online.

 

Whether you are looking for practical advice, a comforting story, support for a child or young person, or help accessing health services online, your local library is here for you.

 

Books to support mental health and wellbeing

 

Reading can be a powerful way to understand our feelings, feel less alone, and find practical strategies for difficult times. Sutton Libraries offer a wide range of books about mental health, including titles on anxiety, depression, stress, grief, confidence, neurodiversity, mindfulness, sleep and emotional resilience.

 

You can browse mental health and wellbeing books in your local library, search our catalogue online, or ask a member of staff to help you find something suitable.

 

Reading Well collections

 

Sutton Libraries also provide access to the Reading Well collections. These are trusted book collections chosen by health experts and people with lived experience to support health and wellbeing.

 

The Reading Well collections include:

• Reading Well for Mental Health – books to help adults understand and manage common mental health conditions and difficult feelings.
• Reading Well for Children – books for children and families covering worries, feelings, everyday challenges and tough times.
• Reading Well for Teens – books supporting young people with topics such as anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, body image, bereavement, online life and identity.
• Reading Well for Dementia – information and personal stories for people living with dementia, carers, family members and children.
• Reading Well for Families – books supporting parents and carers during pregnancy and the early years.

 

Reading Well books can be borrowed from Sutton Libraries like any other library book. You do not need a referral, although health professionals may also recommend titles from the collections.

 

You can also explore the Reading Well collection on Libby/OverDrive here:

 

Browse the Reading Well collection on Libby/OverDrive

 

Mental health eBooks and eAudiobooks

 

Library members can also access mental health and wellbeing titles from home through our digital library services.

 

BorrowBox has a dedicated collection of mental health and dementia-related titles, including eBooks and eAudiobooks that you can borrow for free with your library card.

 

Browse mental health titles on BorrowBox

 

You can also find Reading Well titles through Libby/OverDrive:

 

Browse Reading Well on Libby/OverDrive

 

These digital collections are ideal if you prefer reading on your phone, tablet or eReader, or listening to an audiobook while walking, resting or travelling.

 

Psychology and wellbeing magazines on PressReader

 

Library members can also access a wide range of digital newspapers and magazines for free through PressReader, including titles focused on psychology, wellbeing, mindfulness and healthy living.

 

These magazines can be a useful way to explore articles on mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, stress, sleep and personal development from home or on the go.

 

To get started, visit PressReader through Sutton Libraries’ online resources and sign in with your library card.

 

Health and wellbeing events

 

Sutton Libraries host a range of health and wellbeing events throughout the year. These can include talks, workshops, drop-ins, creative sessions, social activities and opportunities to learn more about looking after your physical and mental health.

 

Events are updated regularly, so it is worth checking our Health and Wellbeing events page to see what is happening near you:

 

View Sutton Libraries health and wellbeing events

 

Digital drop-ins and NHS App support

 

Managing health online can sometimes feel confusing, especially if you are trying to access services through the NHS App or other digital platforms.

 

Our digital drop-ins can help residents build confidence using everyday technology. This may include support with getting online, using a smartphone or tablet, accessing trusted health information, and getting started with services such as the NHS App.

 

These sessions are friendly, informal and designed to help people feel more confident using digital tools. Please check with your local library or browse our events listings to find upcoming digital support sessions.

 

Recommended reads for children

 

Children’s mental health matters too. Stories can help children explore feelings, talk about worries, build confidence and understand change.

 

As part of our Resilient Futures work, Sutton Libraries has put together recommended reads for children, with books chosen to support emotional resilience, wellbeing and positive conversations.

 

Explore Resilient Futures recommended reads for children

 

These books can be a helpful starting point for families, teachers and carers who want to support children through big feelings, uncertainty or difficult experiences.

 

Libraries as spaces for wellbeing

 

Libraries are more than places to borrow books. They are welcoming community spaces where you can spend time, connect with others, discover reliable information, take part in activities, or simply enjoy a quiet moment.

 

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to explore the support available through Sutton Libraries. Whether you borrow a book, attend an event, download an audiobook, ask for digital help, or discover a story to share with a child, your library can be part of your wellbeing toolkit.

 

Visit your local Sutton library or explore our online services to find out more.