PULP was conceived in April 2003, by Caroline Cousens and Richard Brabrook, in response to requests for more information to be available to the public on all aspects of Mental Health. During the next 8 months, consultation was carried out as to the types of literature people wanted to have available and where the books should be housed.

It was suggested that we contact the Devon Library Service who agreed to work in partnership with us and house the mental health books in the libraries of East Devon. The first library to house books on mental health was Honiton Library. The Honiton facility was a big success and we created a second set of books which are housed in Exmouth Library.

The books may be borrowed from anyone in East Devon through their local library.

We currently have books on many aspects of mental health including:

Law. Diagnosis, Medication, Self-help, Caring, Recovery and Stories

The latest guide to the books is available and can be downloaded here or by clicking the PULP display*.
If you need help reading the file, please click here

Law

• The Mental Health Act Code of Practice
  The very latest guidance notes for all professionals involved with the social and medical care of the mentally ill.
• The Mental Health Act Manual
  The Mental Health Act Manual is widely accepted as the 'bible' of the Mental Health Act.
• Mental Health Act Memorandum
  This memorandum is a guide to all those who work with the Act. References to decisions of the High Court on the interpretation of the Act are made throughout the text.
• Mental Health Law for Nurses
  An introduction and practical guide to the law and directives embodied in these. Nurses specialising in the care of the mentally ill or handicapped will find this a book for easy reference and directly relevant to their everyday practice
• Mental Health Review Tribunals Law and Practise
  This book provides an authoritative combination of legal and administrative practice and procedure and the operation of mental health tribunals.

Medication

• British National Formulary edition 47 & 49
  A reference for prescribing and dispensing drugs

Diagnosis

• ICD-10:
  The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders
  Providing clinical descriptions, diagnostic guidelines and codes for all mental and behavioural disorders commonly encountered in clinical psychiatry.
• Psychiatric Drugs Explained
  The new edition of this book will continue to provide a comprehensive and clear guide to the uses, benefits and impact of psychotropic drugs. The major drug categories are listed and the clinical uses, modes of action and side effects of principle drugs in each category are described.

Recovery Stories:

• A Can of Madness
  This is one of the most honest autobiographies ever written on manic depression takes you as close to the manic mind as you can possibly get.
• A clear Voice A Clear Vision
  This is a handbook for advocacy workers.
• A head full of blue – a memoir
  Johnstone's intimate, often disquietingly honest, account of his battle with alcoholism.
• Accepting Voices
  A New Analysis of the Experience of Hearing Voices Outside the Illness Model"
• Coping with Schizophrenia – a guide for Patients, families and caregivers
  The only book written specifically for people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, as well as their carers and loved ones
• Dancing with God through the Storm: Mysticism and Mental Illness
  A thoughtful and moving presentation, a unique and highly recommended contribution to the study of religion, psychology and metaphysics.
• From Psychiatric Patient to Citizen
  This text proposes new theoretical models and practical strategies for tackling the widespread social exclusion faced by people diagnosed mentally ill.
• Hearing Voices – A Common Human Experience
  This book aims to provide understanding for people who hear voices and those that seek to help them.
• Human Mind
  Robert Winston, in his trademark popular and accessible style, takes us inside our own heads to see what really makes us tick.
• Living with Schizophrenia
  This text provides a sophisticated and critical account of theory regarding the "negative" symptoms of schizophrenia.
• Patients, Power & Politics
  Examines what health care and services would look like if they were based on the experiences and concerns of their users.
• Recovery – An Alien Concept?
  Ron Coleman's book is a powerful and unique view of recovery from so-called mental illness.
• Sheila’s Book
  A multi faceted account of a psychotic episode
• The Day the Voices Stopped
  A nationally known spokesperson for the mentally ill offers hope and inspiration in this moving story of his decades -long struggle with schizophrenia and his remarkable recovery.
• The Noonday Demon – an anatomy of depression
  This work digs deep and painfully into personal experience of depression and mental illness, while also considering the wider picture
• The World is full of Laughter
  A book about one person’s journey with Abuse, family pressure, prejudice and severe mental illness
• Users Voices – Perspectives of Service Users on Community and Hospital Care
  A review of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health's groundbreaking work in user-focused monitoring.

Self-Help:

• 50 Ways to Fight Depression Without Drugs
  Find ways to modify your lifestyle and reduce stress, thereby preventing the development of depression
• A practical Guide to Anger Management
  Information, insight and strategies for understanding and managing anger more effectively.
• Assertiveness Workbook
  Effective communication is an essential component of professional success, a stable family life and personal happiness
• Confidence Works – learn to be your own life coach
  Confidence Works shows that anyone can become confident with time and practice.
• Coping with:
  • Depression and Elation
  • Panic Attacks
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Anxiety and Depression
    These books help you learn ways to cope with the disorder
• Cutting: the risk - self-harm, self-care and risk reduction
  It is written by survivors and professionals attending the groundbreaking risk-reduction conference organised by the National Self-harm Network in 1999.
• Depression – The way out of your prison
  This Book demonstrates how the roots of our depression should be searched for in our childhood and family and looks at the role of anti-depressants
• Healing the Trauma of Abuse – A Woman’s workbook
  This supportive workbook aims to guide trauma survivors step by step through the healing process.
• Living Together
  A book about living with Mental Ill health
• Manage your mind – the mental health fitness guide
  A ground-breaking, step-by-step guide to the skills and attitudes that will help you be more effective in your work and to enjoy a more fulfilling personal life.
• Managing for Mental Health The Mind Employers' Resource Pack
  A must for all employers who want to ensure best practice in mental health promotion at work.
• Massage
  Everyone, young or old, can experience the benefits of massage whether in the form of a remedial treatment or simply as a spontaneous neck massage.
• Mind over Mood
  This guide draws on the authors' experience as clinicians and teachers of cognitive therapy to help clients successfully understand and improve their moods, alter their behaviour, and enhance their relationships.
• Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy
  This text presents an innovative eight-session programme designed to prevent relapse in clients who have recovered from depression.
• Overcoming Depression and Elation
• Overcoming Social Anxiety
• Overcoming Low Esteem
• Overcoming Panic
  These books can help you use the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to treat emotional disorders by changing negative patterns of thought.
• Natures Prozac
  Find out how many disorders can be cured without the use of drugs.
• Relaxation Exercises
  A step-by-step guide to relaxation in the modern world
• Relaxation and Stress Reduction Handbook
  Features new techniques, diagrams, and data designed to help readers achieve a level of balance and overcome anxiety, worry, and other negative emotions.
• The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook
  A practical and comprehensive guide offering help to anyone who is struggling with panic attacks, agoraphobia, social fears, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, or other anxiety disorders.
• The Bipolar Survival Guide
  This book can help people with bipolar disorder take charge of their illness and reclaim their lives
• The Food and Mood Handbook
  This handbook can help you understand your diet, metabolism and potential food intolerances define the relationship with food.
• The Loneliness Workbook
  This guide provides practical advice on coping with loneliness.
• Think your way to Happiness
  Helps you learn to take control of your life and feelings by recognizing where your reactions are caused by ideas which are false and self-defeating.
• Understanding Obsessions & Compulsions
  A comprehensive guide to self-help, explaining the principles of anxiety reduction, giving treatment instructions in easy-to-understand language.
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) UK Edition
  Learn ways to manage your life and recover from illness by creating your own WRAP.
• You can heal your life
  A wonderful, magical and life-transforming book

Caring:

• The Burden of Sympathy – How families cope with mental illness
  This book looks at What are the limits of sympathy in dealing with another person's troubles? Where do we draw the line between caring for a loved one, and being swallowed up emotionally by the obligation to do so? Quite simply, what do we owe each other?
• Mental Illness a Handbook for Carers
  This is an essential resource for all people caring for family members or friends with mental illness.

If you would like to know more about the project, please contact Caroline or Richard through:-

EDMHSAP, The Volunteer Centre, Dowell Street, Honiton, Devon EX14 1LZ

We acknowledge, with gratefull thanks, the donations and help we have received from these organisations, without whose support, the project could not have taken place: