#MHAM Book List
Some of the most common barriers to mental health treatment include cost, time/scheduling issues, and stigma. If you’re looking to learn more about mental health, help yourself, or help a loved one, one of the best ways to do that is by reading books. So as a mental health professional, I’ve compiled a list of books to be used a resources for those who struggle with mental illness and those who want to help a loved one who struggles with mental illness.
For adults who want to learn more/support a loved one:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Defying Mental Illness: Finding Recovery with Community Resources and Family Support by Paul Komarek
I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help: How to Help Someone with Mental Illness by Xavier Amador, Ph.D.
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know by Dr. David J. Miklowitz
Changing Minds: The go-to Guide to Mental Health for You, Family and Friends by Dr. Mark Cross and Dr. Catherine Hanrahan
Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy by Julie Flygare
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
How to Disappear Completely: On Modern Anorexia by Kelsey Osgood
The Gift of Fear by David DeBecker
Unintended Impact: One Athlete's Journey from Concussions in Amateur Football to CTE Dementia by Jim Proebstle
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
The Color of My Mind: Mental Health Narratives from People of Color Edited by Dior Vargas
For the loved one in need of support (adults):
The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn Saks
Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway: How to Turn Your Fear and Indecision into Confidence and Action by Susan Jeffers
Mental Health Moments: Combining Journaling, Coloring and Reading by Danni Andrew
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Let Me Not Be Mad by A. K. Benjamin
The Edge of Every Day by Marin Sardy
Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life by Yiyun Li
My Age of Anxiety by Scott Stossel
For children who want to learn more/support a loved one:
Why is Dad So Mad? by Seth Kastle
My Strong Mind: A story about developing mental strength – Niels van Hove
Don’t Feed the WorryBug by Andi Green
The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear! by Nicole C. Kear
How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear? By Jayneen Sanders
Can I Catch It Like a Cold? Coping With a Parent’s Depression by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Lola’s Words Disappeared by Elaheh Bos
A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes
For the loved one in need of support (children):
Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents by Ronald Rapee Ph.D., et al.
My Strong Mind: A story about developing mental strength – Niels van Hove
I Said No! A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private by Zach and Kimberly King
Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book About Living With ADHD by Jeanne Kraus
Don’t Feed the WorryBug by Andi Green
The Fix-It Friends: Have No Fear! by Nicole C. Kear
How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear? By Jayneen Sanders
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Somebody Cares: A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Neglect by Susan Farber Straus, PhD
A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes
For the loved one in need of support (teens):
Depression: A Teen’s Guide to Thrive and Survive – Jacqueline B. Toner, Claire A. B. Freeland
The Sexual Trauma Workbook for Teen Girls: A Guide to Recovery from Sexual Assault and Abuse – Raychelle Cassada Lohmann
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
My Family Divided: One Girl’s Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope by Diane Guerrero
Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz
OCDaniel by Wesley King
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily XR Pan
Don’t Call Me Crazy Edited by Kelly Jensen
Elena Vanishing: A Memoir by Elena Dunkle and Clare B. Dunkle
Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes
History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
