The Reading Agency, in partnership with Libraries Connected and Society of Chief Librarians Cymru, has launched Reading Well for Families, a new booklist supporting the mental health and well-being of families during pregnancy and the early years, from conception to age 2. Available in public libraries across England and Wales from 12th June 2025, the initiative responds to a sharp rise in perinatal mental health needs. Referrals for services in England have increased by 443% over the past eight years, from 1,400 in 2016 to over 7,600 in 2024.
At least one in five women experience mental health problems during or after pregnancy. Anxiety and depression affect between 10–15% of new mothers. In Wales, nearly 9,000 mothers are affected each year. Maternal mental health issues cost the UK £8.1 billion annually. Forty percent of people seeking NHS support report long waiting times, and 76 percent say their conditions worsened while waiting.
Reading Well for Families includes a curated selection of books featuring information and personal stories on parental well-being, perinatal mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and birth trauma, and experiences of loss including miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death. The booklist was developed with input from health professionals and co-produced with parents with lived experience. It follows national clinical guidelines and meets The Reading Agency’s quality standards for book selection.
Karen Napier MBE, Chief Executive of The Reading Agency, said that the early years of a child’s life are a vital developmental period and many families face significant challenges during this time. She said, “Reading Well for Families empowers parents and caregivers by connecting them to trusted, relatable resources through our public libraries, ensuring that quality support is freely available to all families when they need it most.”
Sandra Igwe, Chief Executive of The Motherhood Group and author of My Black Motherhood, said, “Too often, Black mothers are made to feel invisible when they speak up about their mental health. Reading Well for Families is an important and timely intervention that puts real, lived experience at the heart of support. I’m proud to be part of a resource that not only acknowledges the unique struggles Black women face in the perinatal period but also gives voice to our stories.”
Sylvia Woolley, Specialist Health Visitor at the NHS, said, “Perinatal mental health affects every aspect of family life, from bonding with a baby to navigating new identities as parents. As a health visitor, I see every day how vital accessible, high-quality information is. This booklist gives families a lifeline, especially during those long waiting times for formal support. Reading Well for Families is a powerful tool for professionals too. It helps us offer something practical, personal and trusted.”
The booklist includes titles such as The Queer Parent by Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley, Surviving Solo Motherhood by Emma Cotterill and Amy Rose, and Loving You From Here by Sands with Susan Clark. In Wales, the scheme is bilingual and features an original Welsh-language title, Darn Bach o’r Haul, edited by Rhiannon Williams. Books are available in print, as eBooks and audiobooks, and are free to borrow from public libraries where staff are trained to support families.
Maria Bavetta, Head of Engagement at the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, said, “It was a true privilege to collaborate as a co-production partner and to work alongside the MMHA Lived Experience Champions in shaping this invaluable resource. The Reading Agency’s thoughtful and inclusive approach made the process especially meaningful. We believe this resource offers reassurance, guidance and hope to parents and families impacted by perinatal mental health problems, reminding them that with the right care, recovery is possible.”
Reading Well for Families expands on the wider Reading Well programme, which has seen 3.9 million book loans. Previous collections have supported mental health, children, teenagers and people affected by dementia. According to evaluations, 91 percent of users found the books helpful and 92 percent of health professionals reported an increased range of support options.
The scheme is a low-cost intervention that delivers trusted, quality-assured resources endorsed by health professionals. Digital tools, including a promotional toolkit and interactive leaflet, are available online to support access for health and community partners.
