Words foster wellbeing in Townsville libraries

Self-education on health issues is about to become much simpler thanks to a unique collaboration between the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and Townsville CityLibraries.

Words for Wellbeing, an initiative enabling patients to access reputable health resources recommended by health professionals involved in their care, will be launched by Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney and Townsville Mayor Councillor Jenny Hill at Thuringowa Central Library tomorrow.

Mr Mooney said Words for Wellbeing meant Townsville Hospital health professionals could suggest resources, including books for the library collection, that may benefit their patients or consumers.

“Patients would then go to the library and look up the recommended books and borrow them,” Mr Mooney said.

“This means that when a doctor, physiotherapist or nurse recommends a book to a patient from our Words for Wellbeing list, the library has it available to borrow for free.

“Books can also be reserved online, and the program includes apps and websites.

“We know that many people in the community rely on Dr Google to research and understand their health conditions.

“Words for Wellbeing is a recognised and reputable list of resources with information that lines up with the advice they are receiving in their clinic appointments.”

Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said she was proud to partner with the Townsville Hospital and Health Service on the initiative.

“There is good evidence from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence that self-help books can help people understand and manage common conditions, including mental health conditions like depression and anxiety,” Councillor Hill said.

“Words for Wellbeing will improve the mental and physical health of people in Townsville and I’m delighted to collaborate with the hospital and health service, as one of our principal stakeholders, to support our community.”

Councillor Hill said Words for Wellbeing books were easily identifiable with a Words for Wellbeing sticker identifying them as part of the collection.

“If the book is not available at the time, librarians can place it on a reserve list. Books can also be reserved from the website,” she said.

“We hope that patients will read these books, understand their condition better and think about what they can do to improve their health.

“Libraries are hubs for communities and I’m really happy we’ve been able to expand the offering of health and wellbeing-related resources for library visitors by supporting this scheme.

“Our librarians are passionate about information and to work together with health experts at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service is a great example of collaboration for the betterment of our community.”

Mr Mooney and Councillor Hill agreed the initiative would grow over time.

“Libraries are always looking to keep pace with new resources and information and Words for Wellbeing is an evolving program,” Councillor Hill said.

“I know the program also wants to grow resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

“We also want to see resources for children expand and this will be an important part of the program going forward,” Mr Mooney said.

Books can be reserved at townsville.qld.gov.au/w4w and borrowed from CityLibraries Townsville locations.