Read all about it: guided bibliotherapy for depression in adults

Early intervention in depression is important for many reasons including expeditious alleviation of suffering, assisting parenthood, suicide prevention and helping the economy. The fact that people with depression frequently employ maladaptive coping strategies, notably alcohol misuse, suggests the need for evidence-based self-help for sufferers. Self-help can be viewed as a philosophy of patient empowerment and as "a health technology solution to volume and demand". Bibliotherapy (self-help using written materials) provides information and encourages the reader to make changes leading to improved self-management. Enthusiasm for the use of bibliotherapy in depression should be tempered by pursuit of a sound evidence base.