Be Well@NCL
A collection of books to help you understand and manage your mental health and wellbeing.
Be well@NCL is a collection of tried and tested books, chosen in partnership with the University's Student Health and Wellbeing Service and other health professionals. They are available to be borrowed by anyone in the University to help understand and manage their mental health and wellbeing.
How can reading a book help?
There is evidence from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) that self-help books, like those in the Be well@NCL collection, can help people to understand and manage common mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Reading a book written by someone who understands the difficulties you're facing can help you start to feel better.
How are the books chosen?
The books in the collection are based on the national Reading Well scheme (which is rigorously put together by a range of health professionals), and include additional titles from therapists in the University’s Student Health and Wellbeing Service. We do not include any books in the collection which are not tried and tested by health professionals.
Where are the collections located?
The collections are available in the Philip Robinson Library, the Walton Library and also the Law Library.
- In the Philip Robinson Library, the books can be found on Level 2 in the Short Loans Collection area.
- In the Walton Library, they are located in the Short Loans Collection area, next to the printers.
- In the Law Library, they can be found at the end of the English Law Reports corridor.
Some titles are also available as e-books or e-audio books so you can choose to read them in a way that suits you. Check if a book is available before going to the Library, by looking it up on Library Search or by clicking on the title in the reading list below. Books can be borrowed discreetly using our self-issue machines. Students can borrow items for up to 20 weeks unless someone else reserves it. We will send you an email telling you when you need to return them. If you are struggling to return any items, do get in touch and let us know.
You can also borrow many of the Be Well@NCL titles (including print, e-book and e-audio formats) from Newcastle public libraries. Simply join Newcastle Libraries online, type the title or author name into their Library Catalogue or download their Borrowbox app for e-book and e-audio options.
What if someone else has the book already out on loan?
If the book is already out on loan, simply log on to Library Search and reserve the title. You'll receive an email to let you know when it's ready to collect. The titles of books on the reservation shelf are covered up, so no-one else will see which book you're collecting.
Which books are available in the Be well@NCL collection?
The collection includes titles that offer more healthy ways of thinking, such as practising mindfulness and challenging unhelpful thought patterns. There are also books about common feelings, experiences, and issues, such as:
- abortion
- addiction and dependency
- anger
- anxiety - including health anxiety and social anxiety
- bereavement, loss and grief
- body image issues and Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- caring for someone with a mental health issue
- depression – including postnatal depression
- eating disorders and eating distress
- low self-esteem
- money worries
- mood swings
- neurodiversity
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- phobias and panic
- racism / cultural issues
- relationships, attachment styles and loneliness
- sleep problems
- stress
- suicide and self-harm
- trauma
You can see a full list of titles on the Be Well@NCL reading list.
What if the books don't help?
If you find the book you are reading is not helping, please contact your GP or health professional. If you are a student you can also contact the counselling team. You may also find it helpful to look at the range of support offered by the Student Health and Wellbeing Service.