PEOPLE with mild mental health problems in north Durham will be able to help themselves by reading up on their condition with books from their local library.

Books on Prescription is the first scheme of its kind in County Durham.

It has been set up by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Durham County Council's library service, through the head librarian at Chester-le-Street.

Books on Prescription will initially run from Chester-le-Street library, which has branches in Sacriston and Pelton, as well as a mobile library service.

The self-help books, all proven to be effective, will cover common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Ian Makinson, mental health leader for Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT, said: "GPs will be able to prescribe a self-help book to patients from a list of titles that have proven effectiveness.

"The book prescription is then taken to the local library, where all the self-help books are stocked, and clients are issued the book in a manner similar to a standard library book loan.

"Once the patient has picked up the book, there is e-mail, telephone and even face-to-face support available from a PCT graduate mental health worker, if they have any problems or questions about the book."

Information will be available in GP surgeries in the Chester-le-Street area, libraries, churches and Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

and other locations.

Research has shown that self-help books work for many people with depression, anxiety and other common mental health problems by teaching practical, lifelong skills to help them feel better and stay better.

Information about the new scheme will be available in GP surgeries in the Chester-le-Street area, libraries, churches, citizens advice bureaux and other local places.