Focus on reading’s benefits for mental health

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Guille-Alles Library and Guernsey Mind have formed a partnership to mark World Mental Health Day and encourage islanders to discover the "positive impact" reading can have.

As part of the day, a collection of books have been displayed at the library featuring subjects recommended by Guernsey Mind to help people relax and learn.

Anna Symons, communications officer at Guille Alles Library, said reading could be "so important" to improving mental health and had a lot of wellbeing benefits.

According to the States of Guernsey's Reading Survey 2026, 90% of respondents said reading had a positive effect on their sense of wellbeing.

The survey also found 64% of adults read regularly while 39% of children read every day or almost every day.

Symons said the library and Guernsey Mind wanted to build-up reading levels.

She added reading could also be "really good for things like community and combating loneliness".

"If you're in a book club or a student chatting with peers about the different books they're ready, it's really important for forging connections between other people and growing empathy levels," Symons said.

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