I WELCOME the launch of books on prescription service in local libraries.

Reading self-help books has been an essential strategy in helping me to deal with my depression over the past ten years.

Medication alone will not solve depression as it only deals with the physical side effects which is a mental health problem.

Some people do not wish to rely on medication and others may experience adverse side effects.

For those already on medications, I would strongly recommend considering additional therapy such as counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Self-help books often have a bad reputation but there are some good ones out there.

‘Fear-the friend of exceptional people’ by Geoff Thompson has changed my life and ‘Learned Optimism’ by Martin Seligman teaches you how to recognise the pessimistic mindset which most (if not all!) depressed people have and it teaches you how to develop an optimistic mindset.

Michael Egan

The Shires