A new Reading Well for teens collection will launch in public libraries in England and Wales on World Mental Health Day 2022 (10th October 2022). The scheme will support the mental health and wellbeing of teenagers, providing information, advice and support to help teens better understand their feelings, handle difficult experiences and boost confidence.

• The list features 27 books and a range of supporting digital resources covering topics including wellbeing, anxiety, depression, body image, neurodiversity, bereavement, life experiences, sexuality and gender identity.
• The collection is targeted at teenagers (13-18) and includes a wide range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement
• The list was co-produced with a group of diverse young people as well as health professionals from organisations including Royal College of GPs and Mental Health Foundation; the book list has been curated by teenagers for teenagers so that it is authentic to issues they and their peers wish to read about
• In 2020, almost 1 in 2 young people (47%) said they didn’t feel in control of their lives and 1 in 3 (32%) that they felt ‘overwhelmed’ by feelings of panic and anxiety on a daily basis
• At the beginning of 2022, more than 400,000 children and young people were being treated or waiting to be treated for mental health problems in England – the highest number on record
• The focus of Reading Well is to provide helpful reading to support people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing. The lists are created to provide early-stage support and are not a replacement for clinical intervention
• Reading Well for teens is run by The Reading Agency, a national charity that tackles life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. They help 1.9 million people benefit from reading every year

Bio: Natasha Devon MBE is a writer, presenter and activist. She tours schools, universities and events throughout the world, delivering talks as well as conducting research on mental health, body image, gender and equality. She campaigns both on and offline to make the world a fairer place. Natasha is founder of the Mental Health Media Charter, which scrutinises the way the media report on mental health. She works with a number of charities, is a Patron for No Panic,  as well as an Ambassador for Glitch and the Reading Agency.  

Twitter/Insta @_NatashaDevon

Check her LBC show every Saturday 7pm https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/natasha-devon/

Check her debut novel ‘Toxic’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toxic-Natasha-Devon/dp/1912979896