18 – 24 June is Carers Week, which recognises and celebrates the contribution made by unpaid carers to the people they care for and their communities.
New research shows that 87 per cent of carers felt that caring for a family member or friend had a negative impact on their mental health. As reading, or belonging to a reading group, can improve mental well-being, we are asking carers for recommendations of mood-boosting books. We have already had some great suggestions, such as The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Please add your suggestions in the comment box or email [email protected] your mood-boosting book titles and a short comment about why you’d recommend it to other readers and carers.
Recommending a mood-boosting book
A mood-boosting book should:
● Focus on mood-boosting reading material with the potential to lift spirits and promote well-being.
● Provide positive role models and/or thematic content inspiring characters and uplifting storylines with mood-boosting potential, particularly for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems linked to stress, anxiety and depression.
● Concentrate on creative reading material – fiction, poetry and personal testimony. Inspiring and uplifting non-fiction content may also be included.
● Exclude self-help/cognitive behaviour therapy reading.
● Include some material suitable for less confident readers.
Post your mood-boosting recommendations below, or email them to us or if you’re on Twitter use the hashtag #moodboosting.
