Relaunch of YoungMinds Book Award highlights the value of reading for young people’s mental health

The Award will now be given to a work of fiction or biography for young people aged 12+ which helps them to cope with the stresses and challenges of growing up.

YoungMinds is currently seeking submissions for the Award, which must have been published between 1 June 2007 and 31 May 2008. Young people will select the shortlist, which will be announced in September 2008. A panel of adult judges will then choose the winning book, to be announced at the Award ceremony in London on 17 November, following the YoungMinds Annual Lecture.

Sarah Brennan, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, said: “The YoungMinds Book Award recognises the valuable role that reading can play in promoting the mental health of children and young people. Books can help break the isolation experienced by young people, and demonstrate to them that their feelings and problems are not unique.”

Honor Fletcher Wilson, Project Director of the National Year of Reading and judge of the award, added: “Books and reading ought to be part of the fabric of daily life for us all. As well as giving great pleasure, we should never forget that books can be a source of literally life-changing solace, a profound and important companion, able to address complex and even desperate circumstances with real subtlety. Reading really can change lives, and the YoungMinds Book Award celebrates this. I am really delighted to have been asked to join the judges for such a meaningful prize.”

YoungMinds is also seeking sponsorship for the Award, which in the past has attracted high-profile attention from the worlds of publishing, mental health and children’s services. Previous sponsors have included Nicci Gerrard, Sean French and Philip Pullman. 

First launched in 2003, the Award was formerly given to a book for adults that shows the world through a child’s perspective. In 2007 it was awarded to Suzanne Sjoqvist for Still here with me, published by Jessica Kingsley, which illustrates the experiences of young people who have lost a parent. 

Ends

For immediate release: 20 May 2008

Notes to editors
•    YoungMinds is the UK's leading children's mental health charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people by ensuring mental health is placed firmly on the public and political agenda. For further information visit www.youngminds.org.uk
•    For more information on the book award – including sponsorship details – please contact the YoungMinds press team on 020 7336 1451 or ympress@youngminds.org.uk
•    YoungMinds Magazine is the leading publication for everyone with an
interest in child and adolescent mental health. Subscribe now by phoning 0870 870 1721.  To advertise your product, event or service in YoungMinds Magazine, email susan.delgado@youngminds.org.uk

For further information on this release please contact Hannah Smith on 02070 3361451 or mail to Hannah.smith@youngminds.org.uk