Monthly referrals for perinatal mental health services have soared by 443% in England over the last eight years, with maternal mental health problems costing the UK £8.1 billion annually. 

The Reading Agency, in partnership with Libraries Connected and Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) Cymru, is proud to announce the launch of Reading Well for families, a new booklist available across public libraries in England and Wales from today. The scheme recommends helpful reading to support the mental health and wellbeing of families during pregnancy and the early years (from conception to age two). 

The new Reading Well for families collection arrives at a time of unprecedented demand for perinatal mental health support. Monthly referrals for perinatal services in England have risen dramatically from around 1,400 referrals a month in 2016 to more than 7,600 in 2024. At least 1 in 5 women experience mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth, with anxiety and depression being the most common serious maternity health considerations affecting 10-15% of women. In Wales, almost 9,000 new mothers experience perinatal mental health problems each year. 

Even more concerning, 4 in 10 people who sought NHS support for perinatal mental health problems report waiting too long to receive help, during which 76% felt their conditions worsened. 

The booklist includes information and personal stories on topics such as parental wellbeing, perinatal mental health problems (including anxiety, depression, OCD and birth trauma), and coping with loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death). 

Developed by The Reading Agency with input from leading health professionals and co-produced with parents who have lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges, this evidence-based list aims to empower families with accessible, supportive resources. All titles have been selected through a rigorous process informed by national clinical guidelines, health sector consultation, and The Reading Agency’s established book selection protocol. 

Karen Napier MBE, CEO The Reading Agency said: “The first 1,001 days of a child’s life represent a critical period of development, and we know that many families face significant challenges during this time. 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: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System 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, 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.” 

Maria Bavetta, MMHA Head of Engagement, 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 provides a low-cost, high-impact community intervention that delivers quality-assured information endorsed by health professionals. Previous Reading Well collections have shown remarkable success, with 91% of users finding their Reading Well book helpful, and 92% of health professionals reporting that the programme increased the range of support they could offer. 

The booklist features titles that address diverse family experiences, including The Queer Parent: Everything You Need to Know From Gay to Ze by Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley, My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System by Sandra Igwe, and Surviving Solo Motherhood by Emma Cotterill and Amy Rose. For those dealing with loss, recommended titles including Loving You From Here: Stories of Grief, Hope and Growth When a Baby Dies by Sands with Susan Clark provide compassionate guidance. 

The booklist is available in multiple formats including eBooks and audiobooks. In Wales, the scheme is delivered bilingually in collaboration with Books Council of Wales. The booklist also includes an original Welsh-language title Darn Bach o’r Haul edited by Rhiannon Williams. 

Titles can be borrowed for free from local public libraries, where staff have been equipped with resources to guide families to appropriate reading. Additional digital tools, such as a promotional toolkit, case for support, and interactive leaflet, are available online for community and health partners. 

Reading Well for families joins the broader Reading Well Books on Prescription programme, which includes lists for mental health, children, teens, and dementia. Since the programme’s inception, more than 3.9 million Reading Well books have been borrowed across England and Wales, supporting individuals in managing their health and wellbeing through the power of reading. 

Explore the Reading Well for families book collection