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The 10 Best Mental Health Books to Read This Year

Read and be well

Lily is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She covers fitness and health products for Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Fit.

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

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Why Trust Verywell Mind

Mental health impacts every aspect of our lives, whether we’re aware of it or not. It affects how we think and feel, and guides us in our decisions and how we act around other people. Mental health also has a direct impact on individuals’ physical health—poor mental health could make an individual more susceptible to certain chronic physical conditions .

Mental illnesses have been around just as long as humans have. Thankfully, we are now living in a society that is beginning to understand the importance of discussing these issues and offering acceptance to the individuals in our lives who struggle with their mental well-being.

Improved psychological health means an improved quality of life. Many therapists, psychologists, and mental health professionals have accepted the responsibility of continuing our mental health education with books that discuss everything from daily stresses to depression .

Here, the best mental health books for improved well-being.

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"This Is Depression" by Dr. Diane McIntosh

In " This is Depression" , psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh shares what she’s experienced in the 20 years she’s been working with patients who have been diagnosed with depression. She takes readers through common causes of depression , the diagnosis process for depression, and the many possible treatment options an individual may be prescribed.

Her take on the topic is not only founded in research, but her use of stories shared by patients also provides real-life examples for anyone experiencing depression in their own life. This book is a necessary guide for anyone who faces depression—whether their own or a loved one’s—in their life.

Price at time of publication: $18

"We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health"

"We’ve Been Too Patient" is a collection of 25 stories and essays that portray the unfortunate reality of many who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Editors Kelechi Ubozoh (consultant and keynote speaker) and L.D. Green (advocate and author) diligently curated stories of mental health experiences, all in an attempt to break the stigmas that so easily surround the mental health space.

These stories, while in many cases hard to stomach, shed light on experiences of overmedication, electroconvulsive therapy, involuntary hospitalization, and other traumatic events that can forever alter someone’s life. Their discussion of the systemic problems within mental health care educates readers, empowers writers, and breaks stigmas.

"This Too Shall Pass" by Julia Samuel

Psychotherapist Julia Samuel uses hours of conversations with patients to showcase how individuals adapt differently in the face of hardship. Backed by academic, medical research, her analysis of the stories she shares clearly explains how mental health is different for every person, yet the prioritization of positive mental health (and smart, easily enforced coping mechanisms ) should remain the same. 

Price at time of publication: $22

"Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting" by Terri Williams

Author and mental health advocate Terri Williams knows that Black people are hurting. She knows because she is one of them. In Black Pain , Williams addresses the topic of depression, a topic that is still taboo, especially in the Black community.

With down-to-earth discussions, Williams tackles emotional pain and how it uniquely affects the Black experience, encouraging women and men to seek the help they need without feeling ashamed.

Having experienced depression first-hand after overworking herself as the head of a demanding public relations company, Williams knows what it takes to finally come to terms with your inner sorrow. She reminds us that we are brave, not cowardly, for facing our traumas head-on and finding solutions with the help of others.

Price at time of publication: $19

"Own Your Self" by Kelly Brogan, MD

While medication is a common method for handling mental health disorders, holistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan, MD, offers alternatives in "Own Your Self." She discusses how the symptoms we face in mental illness are not always in need of fixing, but instead need to be processed, accepted, and then healed with non-medicated methods .

With research to back her up, she lays out how to identify factors, find transformative emotional opportunities, and find ways to heal your mind from within. Dr. Brogan believes that when there is a prioritization of self-care, individuals will find themselves with clearer, sharper mental health.

Price at time of publication: $27

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb

Therapist Lori Gottlieb got a taste of her own medicine when, after an incident that left her shaken and confused, she found herself on the therapy couch. She has the education to be the doctor, but now her experience has made her the patient as well—her perspective expands to understand and feel both sides of a therapy appointment .

In her witty, endearing story of self-discovery, she discusses the truths and lies we all tell ourselves, examining the harm they can cause when allowed to be out of control. "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" will make you feel heard while encouraging you to open up and reach out to the people who are there to listen.

Price at time of publication: $28

"Your Happiness Toolkit" by Carrie M. Wrigley, LCSW

Carrie Maxwell Wrigley, LCSW, has been a counselor for 30 years. Her career has largely been focused on providing applicable steps for individuals struggling with their mental health— "Your Happiness Toolkit" follows this focus. It provides a simple understanding of what depression is and what feeds or fights that depression.

She provides a self-assessment model to help individuals identify what their depression is, and she offers 16 self-help tools that help them overcome it and find happiness. "Your Happiness Toolkit" is a guide for both those experiencing psychological issues and loved ones trying to help them along the way.

Price at time of publication: $20

"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple" by Seth J. Gillihan, PhD

" Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple " takes the concept of mindfulness to the next level with its 10 strategies for improving individuals’ mental health. Author Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D., focuses on effective tools—like identifying negative thoughts —that allow individuals to find relief from their anxiety and depression. While each tool is thoroughly backed with research, the book serves as an easy-to-read manual full of small, simple steps that lead to success.

Price at time of publication: $16

"Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now" by Jill Weber PhD

Jill Weber, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who helps people of all backgrounds manage their anxiety. " Be Calm " takes all that knowledge and divides it into three sections: feelings, behaviors, and thoughts.

Each section takes the main anxiety symptom an individual finds themself facing and provides an explanation for that symptom, techniques to control it, and a path to finding inner calm . It’s easy to read, understand, and apply to your life, no matter what situation you find yourself in.

"Own Your Anxiety" by Julian Brass

Anxiety coach Julian Brass’ career has been spent guiding individuals toward empowerment in the face of anxiety . " Own Your Anxiety " provides readers with tools that focus on what they are able to control, positive action, and motivation.

Instead of viewing anxiety as a disorder to be ashamed of, Brass encourages readers to look at their anxiety as an intimate aspect of who they are—to be shaped, not hidden. He combines medical research and personal experiences to provide a resource that leads readers toward a healthier, happier life.

Price at time of publication: $17

What to Look for in Mental Health Books

Easy to read.

The best mental health books are easy to understand and keep you engaged page after page. Naturally, every person has their preferences. Some enjoy wit and humor, others prefer anecdotes and analogies, and others are compelled by hard science. Choose the style that resonates most with you for an experience that’s both enjoyable and life-changing.

Expert Insights

Our recommendation is to prioritize mental health books that are either written by credentialed experts or lean heavily on insight or research from renowned figures in the field. Doing so provides you with a well-rounded, scientifically-backed reading experience versus a book of mostly opinion or personal experiences. Books with expert insight also often teach you effective methods to improve your mental health.

Sensitive and Empathetic

Feeling judged or unseen are the last things you want to deal with when reading a mental health book. Instead, you want to feel like the author understands, and is sensitive to, your thoughts and personal experiences. Even books that utilize humor to help you remember important ideas and insights should come across as kind and empathetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading mental health books has many benefits. For instance, they can help you understand past experiences and how they’ve contributed to who you are today.

They can also teach you effective techniques to cope with and mitigate complex feelings such as stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, and grief.

Finally, mental health books help you think about things in new ways, broaden your perspective, and improve your overall well-being.

Anyone can read a mental health book, even if they haven’t been formally diagnosed with a mental health condition. Everyone stands to benefit from improving their mental health, which is the ultimate goal of every mental health book on the market.

Research shows that positive mental health is linked with a higher quality of life, including improved productivity, a fulfilling social life, closer relationships, and higher educational achievements.

In some cases, you may realize that you would benefit from speaking with a professional who can help you work through deeper issues or provide a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

There’s really no right or wrong way to read a mental health book. Our best advice is to read every page thoughtfully and keep a journal handy to take notes. (Hard as we try, sometimes our brains don’t retain everything we read! Taking notes by hand is one of the best ways to remember what we learn. )

Another reality is that sometimes it can be difficult to finish a book. Choosing a mental health book that’s easy to read and keeps you engaged will help. You can also try creating a set schedule where you read a certain number of pages per day or week to stay on track.

Speaking with others—such as friends, family, or a therapist—about what you’re reading can help cement the concepts and get you thinking even deeper about your mental health. 

As a previous fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of prioritizing your mental health. She not only encourages those around her to speak out about their own mental health, but she walks the walk with open discussions, sharing of resources, and advocating for organizations that help us all to learn how to conquer obstacles placed before us. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product. 

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  at  1-800-273-8255  for support and assistance from a trained crisis worker. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn About Mental Health .

World Health Organization. Mental health and development: Targeting people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable group .

Wiley RW, Rapp B. The effects of handwriting experience on literacy learning . Psychol Sci . 2021;32(7):1086-1103. doi:10.1177/0956797621993111

By Lily Moe Lily is a freelance writer for Verywell Fit, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Health.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Grand Canyon University. Lily is a former fitness coach living in Brooklyn.

The 20 Best Mental Health Books To Cope With Whatever Life Throws At You

These are handpicked by psych experts.

Believe it or not, the act of reading itself is helpful for improving mental health, says Amber Robinson, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist based in Los Angeles. Why? Because it involves you pausing your day and the activities on your chaotic to-do list and helps you slow down. Learning something new can also help with your self-confidence , improve your memory, and boost your brain health, she adds.

Need a book rec? Here's a list of favorites, hand-picked by psych experts. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, burnout, grief, or something else, there's a mental health book for everyone on this list.

If you or someone you know is experiencing extreme distress, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, use the Crisis Text Line , which is a free way to connect with a crisis counselor 24/7, or call 911 for emergency medical services.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Eckhart Tolle does a great job teaching the reader to separate themselves from their thoughts, says Amber Robinson , LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist based in Los Angeles. She recommends this book to people with anxiety because it teaches them to be present, to live in the now, and the damages that overthinking, ruminating, and toxic thought patterns can have.

Zondervan Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life

“This book is written by two psychologists, and is my go-to for healthy boundary setting,” says Melissa Boudin , PsyD, LPC, a licensed psychologist and clinical team leader who specializes in communication issues, depression, relationships, self-esteem, and social anxiety. “The book uses the author's experiences to demonstrate the importance of deciding on personal limits and setting boundaries, and gives clear examples of why and how to do this in a healthy way."

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Feeling burned out? You're definitely not alone. “As women, we historically take on too much,” says Robinson. “In this book, the authors encourage the reader not to overextend themselves, not to add more to destress, but to actually take away some of the things we are doing. We are made to feel like we have to be so many things to so many people, but maybe we just need to focus on one thing or to actually sit down and just take a break.”

Getting to know burnout can also help you identify your own warning signs and ensure it doesn't happen again, she adds.

Living Untethered: Beyond the Human Predicament

If you want to learn more about depression, this is a good place to start. The author illustrates symptoms, such as exhaustion and negative self-talk, and how they can impact your energy patterns, says Robinson, who's a big fan of this book.

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

A New Earth has been called the most important book of our generation by Oprah, and Robinson agrees. “It is one of those books you can read over and over again, and each time you receive a needed message from the text,” she says. “Eckhart Tolle walks the reader through awakening, consciousness, ego, pain, pride, resistance, and so many challenging life experiences. It prioritizes and teaches inner peace in a way that only Tolle can.”

Where the Crawdads Sing

“This is one of the best books I have read in the past few years, and I highly recommend it to readers of fiction,” says Michele Goldman, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and the media advisor of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation . This book touches on how childhood trauma influences the main character Kya’s relationships later on in life, her longing to be accepted, to belong and connect, to be seen and understood. These are poignant themes that many can relate to in their own lives.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

This book is full of information on the power of self-compassion, including countless research findings, examples of the utility of self-compassion, and helpful exercises to try it out for yourself, according to Chloe Greenbaum, a licensed psychologist, the founder and director of Premier Psychology Group, and an adjunct professor at NYU. “Neff’s relatable writing style and integration of research can make self-compassion appeal to even the most cynical skeptics,” she says. This is a great resource for people who have anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or boundary issues.

Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief

This book is written by Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, a bereavement educator, researcher, and leading counselor in the field of grief. “She shares the stories of many of her clients, and how they found healing through their own unbearable journey through the depths of grief,” notes Robinson.

Although everyone's grief looks different and there is no right or wrong way to mourn, reading about others' pain can help you feel seen. And that can be just what you need when grief leaves you feeling isolated, she says.

Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman's Journey Through Depression

Although this book was first published in 1998, Goldman says the message is timeless. “This memoir introduces us to the world of a Black woman struggling with depression. It powerfully shows the intersectionality of what it means to be Black, female, and have a diagnosed mental illness in a world where the expectation is to be strong, a caregiver, and nurturer to others. It speaks to stigma within communities and how that perpetuates challenges of asking for help,” she explains.

It powerfully showcases the depths and darkness that accompany depression as well. “For those struggling with depression, Danquah’s words will feel accurate and relatable. She also highlights the importance of self-care, while speaking about the role of courage and vulnerability in the healing process, and the possibility of light at the end of the tunnel,” notes Goldman.

The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship

This is a great foundational book on relationships, says Robinson. “Many of us believe love lives in extremes," she says. "Many of us have seen relationships play out in chaos and we mistake that for love, but love lives in peace and that is exactly what Don Miguel Ruiz teaches in The Mastery of Love .”

Man's Search for Meaning

Man's Search for Meanin g is Frankl's story of being imprisoned in two concentration camps in Nazi Germany. He lost his family, but went on to pen this masterpiece on spiritual survival through his trauma.

“This is a book about finding meaning in life," says Robinson. "When one survives trauma, finding meaning in life is hard, but it is important.”

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

David D. Burns, MD, gives science-backed tips to relieve anxiety, procrastination, and other general negative feelings in this book. It can help you label what causes mood swings, build your self-esteem, and deal with negativity.

"This book is a classic that has probably been read by at least 90 percent of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors because it is so insightful, practical, and beneficial for clients," says Randy Schroeder, PhD, a marriage and family counselor and the author of Simple Habits for Marital Happiness .

The Family Guide to Getting Over OCD: Reclaim Your Life and Help Your Loved One

“This is a perfect guide for family members who have loved one’s who struggle with OCD," says Kevin Chapman , PhD, a clinical psychologist and the founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. "This practical guide provides cogent 'do's and dont's' to assist family members of OCD sufferers while providing a thorough understanding of the disorder itself."

Anxiety Relief for Teens: Essential CBT Skills and Mindfulness Practices to Overcome Anxiety and Stress

If you have teenage children, this may be a smart book to pick up. “This book is a practical read for teenagers who struggle with anxiety," Chapman explains.

It specifically teaches cognitive behavioral techniques to help overcome anxiety, and they're "described in a way that is easy for your teen to understand and implement on a daily basis,” he continues. They can then take these lessons into the rest of their teen years and beyond.

Show Your Anxiety Who's Boss: A Three-Step CBT Program to Help You Reduce Anxious Thoughts and Worry

This book spells out a simple, three-step CBT program for helping reduce anxiety, including how to respond to anxious thoughts and redirect them. “Dr. Joel Minden provides relatable case examples in addition to practice techniques to manage anxiety and worry,” Chapman explains.

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

"As a psychologist, I would say [this book] helps people to increase their self-efficacy through simple behaviors that make them feel empowered and organized," says Chloe Carmichael , PhD, a New York–based clinical psychologist and WH advisor. "That can actually have a surprising effect on your mood and your sense of control throughout your day."

Nervous Energy: Harness The Power Of Your Anxiety

Carmichael's book targets anxiety in an untraditional way. "I don't think that there are a lot of books that are looking at the healthy function of anxiety and trying to teach people how to use it in more of an empowered way that is not necessarily a disease-based perspective," she says.

Her book discusses the three most common nervous energy profiles and nine different ways to use your nervousness or anxiety to be productive. She also shares real-life stories of how people have overcome their nervous energy using these tools.

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself

"People who are interested in self-improvement oftentimes take on a lot of personal responsibility in relationships and in life in general, and that's a good thing," Carmichael says. "But the downside to it is that they can sometimes take on too much responsibility for others."

With this book, readers can learn how to be less codependent.

Make Time: How To Focus On What Matters Every Day

On your phone and computer way too much? *Raises hand* This book "talks about all kinds of ways that we can reconfigure technology so that we have more time," says Carmichael, adding that it can help readers learn how to change their relationship with tech and other scheduling hacks.

Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Busy Moms

Carmichael says this author recognized that there were a lot of things that she could cut from her schedule that would add up to a more fulfilling, targeted sense of being productive.

Ashley Martens is a wellness writer based in Chicago. With a lifelong passion for all things health and wellness, Ashley enjoys writing about topics to help people live happier and healthier lives. With a foundation in fitness, food, and nutrition, Ashley covers it all including sexual health and travel topics. Ashley is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

Addison Aloian (she/her) is the assistant love & life editor at Women’s Health . Outside of topics related to lifestyle, relationships, and dating, she also loves covering fitness and style. In her free time, she enjoys lifting weights at the gym, reading mystery and romance novels, watching (and critiquing!) the latest movies that have garnered Oscars buzz, and wandering around the West Village in New York City. In addition to Women's Health , her work has also appeared in Allure , StyleCaster , L'Officiel USA , V Magazine , VMAN , and more.

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24 Must-Read Books About Mental Health (2023)

In a world where we’re constantly being bombarded with messages about the importance of physical health (cue those pesky detox ads and “that girl” influencer messages), it’s easy to forget about another — equally as vital — part of our health: our mental health. 

In the United States alone, 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness, which means that roughly 44 million people are navigating conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia on a daily basis.

Yet, because of cultural stigma, lack of access, affordability, and discrimination, many feel (or are) actively excluded, silenced, and hindered from reaching or accepting mental health support.

The good news is that more professionals in the field are offering resources for millions of folks to begin the process of caring for their mental well-being. 

One of the most powerful and accessible resources? You guessed it: Books. 

Whether you’re personally affected by a mental illness or want to learn more to support loved ones, there are countless resources out there to help. 

We’ve narrowed that long list to help you get started. 

It’s important to note that while these books discuss anxiety, depression, and other mental health topics, they aren’t a substitute for professional help. 

If you’re feeling troubled by any of these books — or need some support in general, we encourage you to check out our collection of mental health resources . Take good care!

By the way, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

The Best Mental Health Books for Empowerment and Healing

“make your bed: little things that can change your life...and maybe the world” by admiral william h. mcraven .

Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm  

Admiral William H. McRaven’s viral commencement speech at The University of Texas at Austin in 2014 inspired millions with its simple but moving message: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

His now-bestselling book “Make Your Bed” expands on that core message by sharing principles he learned during Navy SEAL training that can help anyone overcome challenges and ultimately inspire action — one small step (like making your bed) at a time. 

“What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing” by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey

“What Happened to You?” is the ultimate tag-team collaboration between psychiatrist and neuroscientist Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and the queen of media, Oprah Winfrey. 

Through conversations with diverse groups of people, they unpack trauma’s impact on the human mind and body. 

With their combined wisdom (and some light-hearted humor), Perry and Winfrey remind us that while trauma is an extremely serious issue, it’s not the end of anyone’s story. 

“It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle” by Mark Wolynn

Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm

Author Mark Wolynn takes us on a journey through the mysteries (and legacies) of family trauma and how it can shape our lives in unexpected ways.

Through engaging storytelling and relatable examples, Wolynn shows how unresolved traumas from past generations can be passed down to us — affecting everything from our relationships to our physical health. 

But there’s hope for change. Wolynn also offers practical tips and techniques for breaking the cycle of inherited trauma and creating an alternative future for ourselves, our families, and future generations. 

“What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma” by Stephanie Foo

Stephanie Foo seemed to have it all — a dream job as a radio producer at This American Life and a loving partner. But behind closed doors, she was struggling with panic attacks. Eventually diagnosed with complex PTSD, a condition caused by repetitive trauma, Foo realized that her past was still impacting her health, relationships, and career. 

Frustrated by the lack of resources available, she set out to explore innovative therapies and even delved into the effects of immigrant trauma. In “What My Bones Know,” Stephanie Foo courageously shares her personal story and meticulous research. 

Through interviews with experts and her own experiences, she offers a glimpse into the lasting grip of the past and how trauma can reverberate across generations. This empowering memoir reminds us that while we may not be able to completely leave our traumas behind, we can learn to navigate life with resilience and reclaim control. 

“This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More” by Uma Naidoo, M.D.

Foodies, we found a good one for you. In “This Is Your Brain on Food,” Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and nutrition expert, offers a comprehensive guide to the connection between food and mental health. 

Naidoo delves into the latest research on how specific foods can help (or harm) the brain and provides practical advice on how to use food to alleviate a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD , OCD, ADHD , and more. 

Naidoo’s book emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to mental health and shows how food can be a powerful tool in achieving emotional balance. With its accessible and engaging style, this book provides a feast’s worth of information that can help readers make informed choices about what they eat — ultimately improving their mental and physical well-being.

“Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now” by Claire Weekes

Whether you’re struggling with social anxiety, phobias, or everyday worries, “Hope and Help for Your Nerves” is the ultimate anxiety guide. 

Like a wise and caring friend, Weekes’ approach is refreshingly honest and straightforward — she doesn’t promise a quick fix, but instead offers a realistic and empowering path towards anxiety relief. 

With her guidance, readers are provided tools to identify and manage the patterns and triggers that often lead to feelings of anxiety or anxiety attacks. 

“The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice” by Staci K. Haines

Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm 

In “The Politics of Trauma,” author Staci K. Haines explores the intersections between trauma, healing, and social justice. Drawing on her experiences as a somatic therapist and activist, Haines argues that trauma is not just an individual problem but a societal one. 

She shows how systems of oppression —like racism and sexism — can cause trauma and perpetuate cycles of violence and injustice.

Through personal stories, case studies, and practical exercises, Haines offers a holistic approach to healing from trauma and creating social change. 

She encourages readers to use somatic practices, such as breathing and movement, to connect with their bodies and address the root causes of trauma. She also discusses the importance of community and collective action in creating a more just and equitable world.

“Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed” by Lori Gottlieb

Amazon | Bookshop  

Curious about what really goes on in a therapist’s office? “Maybe You Should Talk To Someone” by Lori Gottlieb is a fascinating memoir that takes readers behind the scenes of therapy — both as a therapist and as a patient. 

With humor, empathy, and insight, Gottlieb presents a deeply personal look at the challenges and rewards of helping people navigate their lives.

She weaves together the stories of four very different clients: a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness, a senior citizen threatening to end her life, a twenty-something who can’t stop hooking up with the wrong guys, and a narcissistic Hollywood producer. The result is a relatable exploration of the human experience.

“Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski, DMA

“Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski, DMA offers a fresh perspective on managing stress and regaining your energy. 

Drawing on the latest scientific research and their own experiences, the Nagoski sisters provide practical tools and strategies for navigating the many challenges of modern life.

Whether you’re a student, a busy professional, or simply someone looking to live a more fulfilling life, “Burnout” aims to help readers move past the seemingly endless stress cycles we’re accustomed to and find ways to reach happier and healthier lifestyles.

“The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You” by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.

Do you have a sensitivity to noise, light, and other stimuli? Or perhaps a deep emotional reaction to the world around you? If the answer is yes and yes, we’re right there with you. (For real, we’ve got a handful of neurodivergent folks on our team!)

“The Highly Sensitive Person” by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., offers a unique perspective on what it means to be a highly sensitive person (HSP) and provides practical tools for managing the challenges that come with it. 

Aron draws on years of research and clinical experience to provide an in-depth understanding of what it means to be an HSP and how to navigate a world that can be overwhelming for sensitive people.

She also provides helpful strategies for managing the challenges that come with being an HSP, including self-care, boundary-setting, and communication skills. 

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change” by Stephen R. Covey

Whether you’re looking to improve your relationships, advance in your career, or feel a little more fulfilled, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is like a personal trainer for your mind, helping you develop the inner qualities and habits you need to succeed in any area of your life. 

This isn’t quite your average self-help read, though. Covey uses relatable stories and practical exercises to make his teachings something you can actually put into action in your own life. 

“Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook” by Mary Ellen Copeland, M.A., M.S. and Maxine Harris, Ph.D.

If you’ve experienced abuse, “Healing the Trauma of Abuse” by Mary Ellen Copeland, M.A., M.S. and Maxine Harris, Ph.D. is a comprehensive guide to help women of all ages and backgrounds process their experiences of abuse and develop coping strategies for moving forward.

Copeland and Harris draw on decades-worth of experience as trauma and mental health experts to provide a safe and supportive space for women to explore their emotions, set boundaries, and build resilience. 

With its step-by-step exercises, journaling prompts, and practical tools, this book offers a compassionate and empowering approach to recovery. 

“Healing Through Words” by Rupi Kaur

Amazon | Bookshop

You might recognize the name Rupi Kaur from her #1 New York Times bestselling books “ milk and honey ,” “ the sun and her flowers ,” and “ home body .” 

Kaur’s latest book release offers guided poetry writing exercises to help explore trauma, loss, heartache, love, family, healing, and celebration of the self.

The interactive book is divided into four sections: “hurting,” “loving,” “breaking,” and “healing,” each of which delves into different stages of the healing process — encouraging readers to use the power of language to transform pain into beauty.

“Future Tense: Why Anxiety Is Good for You (Even Though It Feels Bad)” by Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D.

Many of us who seek to create a positive impact in the world struggle with the all too real, paralyzing, and uncomfortable feeling of anxiety . 

Anxiety researcher and author, Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D., presents us with a powerful new framework for reimagining and reclaiming the confounding emotion as the advantage it evolved to be: an emotion that protects us and strengthens our creativity. 

By clarifying the latest research in psychology and neuroscience — including her own — Dennis-Tiwary shows how we can acknowledge the discomfort of anxiety and see it as a tool, rather than something to be feared.

“Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans” by Jenny Wang

“Permission to Come Home” by Jenny Wang dives deep into the unique struggles that Asian Americans face when it comes to mental health, providing a warm and supportive space for readers to explore these issues and find healing. 

From navigating the pressures of the “model minority” myth to dealing with the shame and stigma surrounding mental illness, Wang draws on personal experiences and those of others within the Asian American community to offer a comforting and empowering guide to reclaiming mental health.

“Unf*ck Your Brain: Getting Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers with Science (5-Minute Therapy)” by Faith Harper

“Unf*ck Your Brain” by Faith Harper is a no-nonsense guide on how to cope with a slew of mental-health issues that are hell-bent on controlling the lives of millions of people around the world. 

The author, a licensed therapist and psychologist, provides a five-minute therapy approach that offers simple and effective strategies to help you overcome anxiety, depression, anger, and other “negative emotions” that may be holding you back. 

The book is grounded in science and draws on the latest research in neuroscience, psychology, and trauma therapy to help readers better understand their brain and how to work with it, rather than against it.

“Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green

From John Green , the #1 bestselling author of “The Fault in Our Stars” and “The Anthropocene Reviewed,” comes an incredible story about the inner workings of a teenage girl’s mind as she struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Throughout the novel, Aza’s experiences with mental illness are depicted in a raw and honest way, highlighting the challenges of living with OCD and its impact on relationships, sense of self, and overall well-being.

The book is a powerful read that brings us into the mind of a character trying to cope with a world that feels out of her control. 

“The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health: Navigate an Unequal System, Learn Tools for Emotional Wellness, and Get the Help You Deserve” by Rheeda Walker, Ph.D.

“The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health” by Rheeda Walker, Ph.D., is a comprehensive and empowering resource for Black folks seeking ways to navigate the mental health system , prioritize their emotional well-being, and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable care system. 

Through personal anecdotes, research-backed insights, and practical tools, Walker guides readers through the unique challenges that Black people face when it comes to mental health, including the impact of racism, historical trauma, and societal stigma. 

“Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find — and Keep — Love” by Amir Levine

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to have a knack for finding and maintaining healthy, happy relationships while others struggle to make it past the first date, “Attached” by Amir Levine might have some answers. 

This book explores the science behind adult attachment styles and how our individual styles can influence how we approach relationships. 

Based on years of research and clinical experience, the book provides insights into the three main attachment styles – anxious, avoidant, and secure – and offers practical advice for navigating and building healthy relationships.

“Reasons to Stay Alive” by Matt Haig

If you’ve ever dealt with depression, then you’ll likely connect with Matt Haig’s story (you might recognize him from his bestselling books “ The Midnight Library ,” and “ Notes on a Nervous Planet ”). 

Haig shares his personal journey of overcoming depression through writing, reading, and the support of his loved ones. 

With an oddly refreshing mix of humor and motivation, he uses his deeply personal and universally relatable experiences to offer hope and encouragement to anyone struggling with their mental health.

“Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto” by Tricia Hersey

Ever feel the unconscious urge to shame yourself for resting? Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry — an organization examining the liberating power of naps — is here to change that for you. 

Informed by her experience in theology, activism, and performance art, “Rest Is Resistance” is a call to action and a field guide for the sleep-deprived justice seekers seeking ways to liberate themselves from the “grind culture” and reclaim it as a radical act of self-care and resistance.

“Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts” by Guy Winch, Ph.D.

In a world that often prioritizes physical health over emotional health, Guy Winch argues that we need to take care of both to live a fulfilling life. 

Through case studies, real-world examples, and practical exercises, “Emotional First Aid” offers readers the tools they need to heal from common emotional wounds, like rejection, guilt, failure, and loneliness.

But it’s not just about healing from emotional wounds. Winch emphasizes the importance of preventing emotional injuries from causing long-term damage. He draws from research in psychology to explain why these everyday hurts can be so difficult to overcome and offers strategies to promote emotional resilience. 

“Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (The Path to Calm)” by Nick Trenton

Hello, over-thinkers, this one’s for you! 

From identifying and recognizing our inner anxieties to focusing on relaxation and action, author Nick Trenton offers powerful ways to stop ruminating and dwelling on negative thoughts.

He provides scientific approaches to refocus the way we think and feel about ourselves — freeing up our minds from overthinking and allowing us to live in the present moment.

“Girl in Pieces” by Kathleen Glasgow 

“Girl in Pieces” is a young adult novel by Kathleen Glasgow that follows the journey of a teenage girl named Charlie as she navigates life on the streets, struggling with addiction and self-harm, and attempting to rebuild her life with the help of newfound friends and a support system. 

Throughout the book, Charlie’s story highlights the devastating impact of childhood trauma and the importance of mental health care and advocacy .

The book sheds light on the realities of mental illness and the challenges faced by those who have experienced trauma, while also celebrating the resilience and strength of the human spirit — emphasizing the importance of self-care and self-love.

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25 best mental health books to read in 2024

Ali roff farrar shares the best mental health books for those looking to understand – and care for – their mental health..

Looking for the best mental health books? Here, we round up our top 10 books about mental health, anxiety, depression and stress, from fascinating research to relatable page-turners and beautiful memoirs.

For those who want to understand how their minds work

Ten times calmer, by dr kirren schnack.

Dr Kirren Schnack is here to tell you that your anxiety isn’t here to stay. As an Oxford-trained and practicing NHS clinical psychologist with twenty years experience, she offers a first aid kit of tools to help you understand what you’re going through and change how you’re feeling — and it might just be easier than you think. The ten chapters cover everything from dealing with anxious thoughts and stress to managing uncertainty and safely tackling trauma, with each tip taking you one step closer to an anxiety-free life. 

That Little Voice In Your Head

By mo gawdat.

Mo Gawdat's That Little Voice in Your Head  is a practical guide to rewiring your brain for joy. He reveals that by talking down the negative voice within, we can change the way we think, turn greed into kindness, transform apathy into compassionate action and create our own happiness. Gawdat's brain exercises draw on his experience as a former Google engineer and Chief Business Officer, as well as from his neuroscience studies. And he explains how – despite their complexity – our brains generally behave in predictable ways. Drawing inspiration from the life of his late son, Gawdat has written a manual for happiness that is steeped in empathy.

On Agoraphobia

By graham caveney.

In his early twenties, Graham Caveney began to experience strange symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with agoraphobia. For the following decades he had to manage his condition and live with various restrictions: no motorways, no dual carriageways, no shopping centres and limited time outdoors. In his efforts to understand his illness, Graham came back to his first love: reading. And he discovered that literature has plenty of examples of agoraphobics, from Harper Lee’s Boo Radley to Ford Madox Ford, Emily Dickinson and Shirley Jackson. This is a fascinating if sometimes painful look at a disorder that escapes easy definition.

Books for those looking to understand their childhood

What happened to you, by oprah winfrey, dr bruce perry.

Through wide-ranging, and often deeply personal conversation, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Perry explore how what happens to us in early childhood – both good and bad - influences the people we become. In conversation throughout the book, the two focus on understanding people, behaviour, and ourselves in the context of personal experiences. They remove blame and self-shaming, and open up a space for healing and understanding. Grounded in the latest brain science and brought to life through compelling narratives, this book shines a light on a much-needed path to recovery – showing us our incredible capacity to transform after adversity.

Toxic Childhood Stress

By dr nadine burke harris.

To go forward, we must go back. As many as two thirds of us experienced some kind of childhood adversity, and Dr Nadine Burke Harris aims to help uncover, identify and heal childhood trauma in her book Toxic Childhood Stress: The Legacy of Early Trauma and How to Heal . And it’s important work; childhood trauma not only affects mental health, but physiological health too. As the Surgeon General of California and the founder and CEO of Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, Dr Burke Harris pulls together stories and findings from her ground-breaking research linking childhood trauma to health in this fascinating and astonishing read.

Books for those looking to find solace in creativity

The green sketching handbook, by ali foxon.

We all know that both creativity and time spent in the outdoors are beneficial for our mental health and general wellbeing. Many of us struggle to take time out and get away from our screens, but there is an answer! With its appealing combination of quick exercises with research on nature and creative activities, The Green Sketching Handbook  will have you reaching for your pencil. Climate scientist and nature lover Dr Ali Foxon guides you to abandon fears of inadequacy, and create vivid depictions of your outdoor adventures.

Start Painting Now

By emily powell.

Start Painting Now  is a practical, accessible guide to discovering your creative spirit, giving you brilliant new tools for relaxation and self-care. Instagram's favourite artist Emily Powell and her sister, doctor Sarah Moore, will guide you through the process of learning to ignore your inner critic and unwind from the stresses of daily life through painting. Supported by the latest research on the benefits of art for mental health and wellbeing,  Start Painting Now  will empower you to put aside the fear of failure, turn off your phone and throw yourself into the joy of creativity.

Books for those navigating grief

By jessie stephens.

'Heartbreak does not seem to be a brand of grief we respect. And so we are left in the middle of the ocean, floating in a dinghy with no anchor, while the world waits for us to be okay again.'

Based on three true stories,  Heartsick  by Jessie Stephens is a compelling narrative non-fiction account of the many lows and occasional surprising highs of heartbreak. Bruising, beautiful, achingly specific but wholeheartedly universal, it reminds us that emotional pain can make us as it breaks us, and that storytelling has the ultimate healing power.

How to Feel Better

By cathy rentzenbrink.

While we can't control all the ups and downs of life, we can choose how we respond to them. But rather than instructing us on how to live, Cathy Rentzenbrink approaches this book with warm, gentle guidance and offers comfort for those times we need it most. She covers topics such as her etiquette for bad news and the words of wisdom she would like to pass onto her son in a characteristically compassionate tone. How to Feel Better is essential reading for anyone looking to make sense of a big upheaval, or those simply navigating the daily ebbs and flows of life. 

Books for those drowning in their emotions

How to stay sane, by philippa perry.

There is no simple set of instructions that can guarantee sanity, but if you want to overcome emotional difficulties and become happier, psychotherapist Philippa Perry, argues that there are four cornerstones to sanity you can influence to bring about change. By developing your self-observation skills, examining how you relate to others, breaking out of your comfort zone and exploring new ways of defining yourself, Philippa demonstrates that it is possible to become a little less tortured and a little more fulfilled.

How Emotions Are Made

By lisa feldman barrett.

What if our emotions weren’t pre-programmed in our brains and bodies? That’s what Lisa Feldman Barrett asks in her book How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain . She instead argues that most of what we believe about emotions is wrong. Understanding where your own emotional responses stem from and how they appear in your own body is an intriguing concept. ‘It doesn’t mean that emotions are an illusion, or that bodily responses are random,’ says Lisa. ‘It means that on different occasions...the same emotion category involves different bodily responses. Variation, not uniformity, is the norm.’

Solve For Happy

Mo Gawdat tackles the problem of how to be happy using his engineering training, coming up with an equation for lasting happiness. When his son died, it became Mo’s mission to spread his happiness principles, and he has bottled those in this book. An answer to one of life’s great challenges, his message and methods will offer solace and a new way of looking at the world.

Mental health books for those who might be feeling alone

By jenny lawson.

As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In  Broken , Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. We see how her vacuum cleaner almost set her house on fire, how she was attacked by three bears, and why she can never go back to the post office. Of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor, the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball, is present throughout. A treat for Jenny Lawson’s already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones,  Broken  is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter when we all need it most.

The Colour of Madness

By samara linton.

The Colour of Madness  brings together memoirs, essays, poetry, short fiction and artworks by people of colour who have experienced difficulties with mental health. From experiencing micro-aggressions to bias, and stigma to religious and cultural issues, people of colour have to fight harder than others to be heard and helped. Statistics show that people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds in the UK experience poor mental health treatment in comparison to their white counterparts, and are more likely to be held under the Mental Health Act. 

The Stranger on the Bridge

By jonny benjamin.

What does it feel like to lose all hope, and find it again? That’s what Johnny Benjamin shares in his brave memoir The Stranger on the Bridge: My Journey from Suicidal Despair to Hope , which tells the story of how he found himself standing atop Waterloo Bridge, ready to jump when a stranger saw him and intervened. Years later, Johnny took on the monumental task of trying to find the stranger who saved his life. Johnny’s story is one of hope – lost and then found. Including his struggles accepting and sharing his sexuality and his mental health struggles within his Jewish family and community, he shares a unique yet relatable story of mental health.

Maybe I Don't Belong Here

By david harewood.

When David Harewood was twenty-three, his acting career began to take flight and he had what he now understands to be a psychotic breakdown. He was physically restrained by six police officers, sedated, then hospitalized and transferred to a locked ward. Only now, thirty years later, has he been able to process what he went through. In this powerful and provocative account of a life lived after psychosis, critically acclaimed actor, David Harewood, uncovers a devastating family history and investigates the very real impact of racism on Black mental health.

The Book of Hope

Award-winning mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin, MBE, and co-editor Britt Pflüger bring together people from all walks of life – actors, musicians, athletes, psychologists and activists – to share what gives them hope. This joyful collection is a supportive hand to anyone looking to find light on a dark day and shows that, no matter what you may be going through, you are not alone. In this book, Johnny Benjamin brings together a range of voices to speak to the spectrum of our experiences of mental health and the power of speaking up and seeking help.

In Love with the World

By yongey mingyur rinpoche.

The moving story of meditation master Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s journey into the wilderness and a near-death experience during his four-year wandering retreat is as inspirational as it is spiritual. Through Rinpoche’s intimate account of his search for the self during his suffering, he demonstrates how we can transform a fear of death into a life filled with joy.

Closer to Love

By vex king.

Vex King is back with Closer to Love , a practical guide to creating lasting connections. After finding peace and joy in his own romantic relationship, he is now sharing his wisdom to guide readers on their own journeys. He considers the complexities of modern relationships and how to navigate these in an ever-changing world, helps us to overcome fears, expectations and insecurities, and clarifies our sense of selves, ultimately helping us to get closer to love. From the bestselling author of Good Vibes, Good Life and Healing is the New High , Closer to Love is an unmissable read from one of the nation's favourite self-help gurus.  

Books for those who have just discovered that they have ‘mental health’

A beginner's guide to being mental, by natasha devon.

‘We all exist somewhere within a spectrum of mental health.’ Natasha’s contribution to this list is a hilarious read which takes us on a journey through the alphabet of mental health, all the way from Anxiety, to ZERO FUCKS GIVEN (or the art of having high self-esteem), with a few pitstops at Drugs, Internet, Therapy and other useful themes connecting to mental health along the way. Sourcing expert advice along with her own laugh-out-loud personal experiences, this is observational comedy meets mental health advice, resulting in a sense that however you are feeling, whatever you’re going through, you’re not the only one.

The Kindness Method

By shahroo izadi.

In these difficult times, we could all benefit from showing ourselves a little kindness. If you want to use this time to make a change, Behavioural Change Specialist Shahroo Izadi believes there’s only one way to make change last, and that’s to be kind to yourself . The Kindness Method was developed through a combination of professional training and personal experience and will leave you feeling empowered, positive and ready to make a change, whether it’s weight loss, cutting down on alcohol or improving your relationships.

Anxiety for Beginners

By eleanor morgan.

‘Anxiety itself is not a mental illness’, explains Eleanor Morgan in her sharp book Anxiety for Beginners: A Personal Investigation . ‘As part of our hardwiring as human beings, and what it means to be conscious, anxiety is a law of human nature. Natural selection gave us minds and, with them, we were released from the shackles of biological determinism. But the power of the mind is a whole new set of chains because there’s always something to be anxious about. We worry because that’s what we’ve evolved to do.’ This is a compilation of the writer's own experiences, curiously delved into and unpicked with relatable thoughtfulness.

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Books for chronic people pleasers, codependent no more, by melody beattie.

Have you lost sight of yourself while addressing the needs of others? Fully revised and updated, with a new chapter on trauma and anxiety, this modern classic – that has already sold over 7 million copies across the globe – will help you heal and grow. With personal reflections, exercises, and instructive stories drawn from Beattie's own life and the lives of those she's counselled,  Codependent No More  will help you break old patterns and maintain healthy boundaries, and offers a clear and achievable path to healing, hope, freedom and happiness.

by Glennon Doyle

As a New York Times  bestseller which has sold over one million copies and featured on lists including  Oprah’s O Magazine and Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club, Untamed by activist Glennon Doyle had to get a mention in our list of top books about mental health. Centred around the theme of learning to listen inwardly in order to find yourself, Glennon explores the peace and happiness to be found in shedding the pressures of the external expectations around us. Sharing her own personal story of how, when and why she decided to stop pleasing others,  this is a powerful memoir, and a wakeup call to start living for ourselves.  

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The Covid-19 pandemic only heightened some of these feelings for a lot of people, leading many to pursue mental health care for the first time now that they had the ability to do so remotely. Whether or not you’ve found that helpful resource yet, we’ve curated a list of some of the best mental health books that may prove to be additionally helpful on your journey. These books include everything from scientific analyses, stories of people’s real-life experiences and memoirs, covering topics like anxiety, depression and even racial injustice.

While many of these books can help with aspects of life like reducing stress and not overthinking your emotions, it’s important to note that if you think you might be experiencing anxiety, depression or another mental health condition, it’s important to seek help from a licensed professional, as these books are not meant to provide a diagnosis or provide individual medical advice and treatment. These books may, however, help you nail down signs to watch for, what to look for in a professional, and relate to individuals who have gone through something similar. Here are our picks for the top 20 mental health books of 2021.

Penguin Books The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Trauma comes in all forms, from near-death experiences to unexpected loss. In this book, author Dr. Bessel van der Kolk examines recent scientific findings and uses human stories to demonstrate how trauma impacts both the mind and the body.

Berkley Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now

If you feel trapped inside your mind amongst intrusive thoughts and other symptoms of anxiety, this book can provide the guidance you need to mitigate them and break the cycle of fear and panic.

Picador Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions

Actor and comedian Russell Brand isn’t a mental health professional, but if you’ve dealt with addiction, it can be helpful to relate to experiences from other individuals. In this book, Brand opens up about what he’s learned in overcoming drug, sex and alcohol addictions, among others, with humor and compassion.

Plume Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts

In this book, author Guy Winch, PhD, provides strategies for healing the emotional pains that everyone experiences in life, from rejection, loneliness and loss to trauma, guilt and low self-esteem.

Penguin Life It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

Author Mark Wolynn is known as an expert within the mental health world when it comes to the subject of inherited family trauma. In this book, he examines how trauma experienced by relatives can be passed down to younger family members, leading to patterns of depression, anxiety and other conditions.

Tarcherperigee Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find - and Keep - Love

No one has it all figured out when it comes to navigating relationships. In this book, Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel Heller examine how attachment theory (i.e. early relationships with parents and caregivers) can work in your favor to help you find love.

Harmony The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

If you’re someone who’s always found themselves to be overwhelmed by things like crowded spaces and are often drained after socializing for long periods of time, chances are that easing back into some sense of normalcy during the Covid-19 pandemic brought back those feelings. This book can help you work to overcome this social discomfort and tap into your sensitivity while examining how it affects your personal, work and love life.

Simon & Schuster The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Whether you’re experiencing burnout or struggle with being disorganized, or you simply want to live your life with more intention, this book will help you work toward sustainable balance in life, set realistic end goals and negotiate in a way that will allow you to work effectively with others.

Page Two This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression

In this book, psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh examines common causes of depression, the diagnosis and treatment process, and several real-life examples of depression to help readers understand what they or a loved one may be facing.

North Atlantic Books We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health

This is another book that examines real-life experiences with mental health conditions and treatment, this time in the form of 25 stories and essays. These diverse stories cover everything from traumatic events, experiences of overmedication and involuntary hospitalization, as well as the systemic issues plaguing our mental health system.

New Harbinger Publications The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health

If you're Black, Indigenous or a person of color, the last couple of years have felt especially heavy. While things like microaggressions and systemic racism certainly aren’t anything new, the social justice reckoning the U.S. is continuing to go through has only made mental health more important of a priority for many BIPOC.

This book not only offers relevant tips, but also examines current issues within the mental health system and how to successfully navigate the health healthcare system as a Black person.

Althea Press Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies For Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, And Worry

In this book, Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D. examines the concept of mindfulness by providing a guide of 10 strategies for improving mental health. These tools include things like identifying negative thoughts and symptoms of anxiety of depression through manageable steps to effectively deal with them.

Althea Press Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now

In this book, author Jill Weber, Ph.D., splits anxiety into three sections: feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. Each one examines top symptoms and provides explanations, techniques to control it, and advice for finding inner calm in an easy-to-read and easy-to-apply manner.

Penguin Books How to Change Your Mind

In this book, author Michael Pollan delves into how microdosing with psychedelics can help people cope with mental health struggles and crises related to anxiety, depression and even addiction.

HarperOne Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity

In this book, actor and social activist Justin Baldoni takes a look at how toxic masculinity has impacted our society, damaging the mental health of men and boys who have sought to repress so-called feminine qualities. Baldoni also opens up about his own personal experiences related to topics like body image, sexuality and racial justice.

Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (Mental and Emotional Abundance)

Just about everyone falls victim to overthinking individual interactions and feelings these days. This book covers how overthinking is tied to burnout, stress and increased anxiety and how you can stop it in its tracks and work to focus on the present via visualization techniques and various coping strategies.

Scribner Heavy: An American Memoir

This memoir by Kiese Laymon takes you through his life in racism-driven Mississippi during the 1980s and 1990s via a letter to his mother, showcasing depression through the eyes of a Black man in America.

Portfolio If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy?

If the pandemic showed us one thing, it’s that American culture largely values career success above all else. This book aims to help readers see that they can pursue advancement and more money while still living a fulfilled personal life.

Grand Central Publishing Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

In this inspirational self-help book, Admiral William H. McRaven aims to help readers focus on the little things through life lessons from people he encountered during his time in the military service.

Baker Pub Group/Baker Books Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking

In this book, communication pathologist and neuroscientist Caroline Leaf aims to help readers beat toxic thoughts by breaking down complex scientific theories and swapping them out for easy-to-follow tactics to boost positive thoughts and general mental wellness.

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During Mental Health Awareness Month, Here are Fifteen Books To Help Us Through

With depression and suicide on the rise, these memoirs and other works of non-fiction tackle such subjects as bipolar disorder, PTSD, and racism.

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While May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, these conversation-starting nonfiction books are a great resource to expand on your education—and not just in May but throughout the year. It is even more important, as we begin to emerge from the isolation, grief, and anxiety of pandemic days. With the reality of what we have experienced and continue to grapple with begins to crystallize, it's essential that we process our pain, and try and understand the pain of others.

The Brain in Search of Itself: Santiago Ramón Y Cajal and the Story of the Neuron, by Benjamin Ehrlich

The ancient Greeks studied it passionately, from Homer to Galen. The Vedas integrated it into the practice of yoga. And Western science has labored long and hard to map its circuits. “It” is the human brain, a three-pound spongy mass and the most sophisticated machine in the known universe. Ehrlich’s lavish, searching biography spins the story of Cajal, son of a Spanish country doctor, whose pursuit of the brain’s structure—and the neuron in particular—laid the foundation for neurobiology and better treatments. As he traces Cajal’s momentous life Ehrlich treads the corridors of medicine and power with confidence and compassion.

The Lonely Stories: 22 Celebrated Writers on the Joys & Struggles of Being Alone, Edited by Natalie Eve Garrett

Imani Perry finds solace in literature when hunkered down in a hospital ward. Anthony Doerr sees menace in the solitary self: “I harbor a dark twin inside. He’s a sun-starved, ropy bastard and he lives somewhere north of my heart…a weed, a creeper; he’s a series of thickening wires inside my skull.” Yiyun Li limns the isolation of writing in a second language, a disorientation, like entering “a new country, a new school, a party, a family or class reunion, an army camp.” This wise, wondrous anthology showcases 22 original essays that probe the beauty and burdens of being alone—it’s a necessary guidebook in our Covid era, as we shelter in place.

The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss, by Mary-Frances O’Connor

Grief can buffet us like ocean tides, jolts of electricity, a perpetual twilight. Here a professor of psychology conducts an intrepid investigation into the science of grief, yielding unexpected tools to sustain us and revelations about the brain and pain, selfhood and community. “Neuroscience is part of the conversation of our times,” O’Connor observes. “By focusing in greater detail on how brain circuits, neurotransmitters, behaviors, and emotions are engaged during bereavement, we have an opportunity to empathize in a new way with those who are currently suffering.”

Sara Manning Peskin A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain, by Sara Manning Peskin

In a series of brisk, witty case studies, a professor of clinical neurology at the University of Pennsylvania bores deep to illuminate the molecules that can make otherwise healthy brains go haywire. Peskin’s research reveals that two seemingly opposing things can be true: While our bodies are robust and resilient, even one misspelling in our genetic alphabet can derail our brains and behavior, turning “a normal protein into one that attacks the mind.” For fans of Oliver Sacks and Siddhartha Mukherjee.

Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman’s Journey Through Depression, by Meri Nana-Ama Danquah

Toni Morrison, Tina Turner, Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams: Black women have summited Everests in fields from the arts to politics, fulfilling a vow to never bow, never bend. But what’s the remedy when a Black woman snaps like a tender reed? Danquah’s stirring odyssey through clinical depression reads like an expressionist poem. It's vulnerable, poignant, and fully alive.

An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness, by Kay Redfield Jamison

Jamison’s rise in the field of manic-depressive psychology was meteoric until she put herself on the couch, connecting the dots between her burning ambition and closeted anxieties. Her classic 1995 memoir reveals struggles with neurological complexities, a vivid testament to the mind’s restless, relentless desire to master its darker instincts.

Flatiron Books What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry

This illuminating, conversational collaboration between Oprah and a leading neuroscientist provides a deep dive into the legacy of childhood trauma, and how we can confront it, learn from it, and find a means of moving forward.

Heavy: An American Memoir, by Kiese Laymon

Rarely has depression been explored with such candor and courage as in Kiese Laymon’s lyrical memoir cum epistle to his mother, a poverty-scarred addict who raised her overweight Black son, in fits and starts, against the backdrop of racially divided Mississippi during the '80s and '90s. It's a valentine to survivors everywhere.

The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir, by Jenifer Lewis

As the dean at the fictional Hillman College in the ’90s sitcom A Different World, Lewis had us in the palm of her hand. Unbeknownst to her fans, though, bipolarity gripped this Hollywood grande dame. Fierce, fabulous, and funny as heck, she tackles her highs and lows head-on, discusses the thin line between comedy and sorrow, and her most demanding role ever.

Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life, by Yiyun Li

This beguiling, delicate memoir evokes Li’s suicidal urges and how a passion for her craft steered her back to a world brimming with color and wonder.

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence, by Michael Pollan

America’s favorite food guru and author of the bestselling The Omnivore’s Dilemma expands our horizons as he explores, in gorgeous prose, the emerging science of psychedelic drugs in treating severe depression. Can a microdose a day keep the doctor away?

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, by Andrew Solomon

A National Book Award laureate, Solomon’s incandescent work picks up where Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy left off, branching out from his own mental health into a sweeping, erudite study that roves from Renaissance treatises to yesterday’s headlines, buttressed by a wealth of research and interviews with patients, biologists, and social scientists.

Penguin Books The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessel van der Kolk

Sketch a Venn diagram: Americans stricken with alcoholism, divorce, addiction, and PTSD form asymmetrical orbits around the common point of trauma. Here, a global expert draws on tools from both East and West, from yoga to neuroplastic treatments, from sports to drama, in a holistic yet scientific crusade to bring healing to the fractured self.

The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health: Navigate an Unequal System, Learn Tools for Emotional Wellness, and Get the Help You Deserve, by Rheeda Walker

The numbers don’t lie: the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed vast inequities in healthcare, with Black communities carrying a disproportionate burden of illness and economic collapse. From the philosophical to the prophetic, an advocate lays out a road map for people of color to learn tools for emotional wellness.

Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting, by Terrie M. Williams

A PR superstar with clients such as Eddie Murphy and Johnnie Cochran, Williams was cruising through her professional stratosphere until she flamed out and crashed. Like many grappling with the toll of depression, she looked both inward and outward, connecting her own depression with the larger suffering at the heart of the Black experience. Her book dares to ask—and answer—the challenging questions that haunt the interior lives of African Americans.

A former book editor and the author of a memoir, This Boy's Faith, Hamilton Cain is Contributing Books Editor at Oprah Daily. As a freelance journalist, he has written for O, The Oprah Magazine, Men’s Health, The Good Men Project, and The List (Edinburgh, U.K.) and was a finalist for a National Magazine Award. He is currently a member of the National Book Critics Circle and lives with his family in Brooklyn.  

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16 Best Mental Health Books on Wellbeing + 3 Workbooks

Seeking advice from books can be a good starting point if you cannot afford coaching or therapy.

However, it is important to be discerning when it comes to self-help. There are some excellent and worthy books out there, written by professionals with the necessary expertise, moral integrity, and good intentions.

But there are also books that are less helpful and propose self-help ideologies that can end up making us feel worse rather than better.

In the article below, we share a list of well-researched and critically acclaimed self-help books that have helped many people over the years. Some have survived the test of time and become perennials on the self-help bookshelves, while others are excellent new additions to the genre.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Meaning and Valued Living Exercises for free . These creative, science-based exercises will help you learn more about your values, motivations, and goals and give you the tools to inspire a sense of meaning in the lives of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains

4 best mental health books, 3 mental health workbooks, 3 children’s books about mental health, 3 mental health books for teens, 3 books on wellbeing, 3 audiobook recommendations, relevant positivepsychology.com resources, a take-home message.

The following four books are bestselling classics of the genre and are all based on solid psychological research. They have helped millions of people understand themselves better and can all be found in most bookshops with a self-help/mental health/wellness section.

Texts included here are based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, logotherapy, and positive psychology principles. Pick the ones that most resonate with your personal preferences.

1. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy – David D. Burns

The science underpinning David Burns’s Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy may no longer be cutting edge, but its core message remains a powerfully relevant one.

It is based on the premises of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Burns explains fundamental CBT principles clearly and convincingly, and provides numerous examples and anecdotes from his clinical practice to illustrate them.

Feeling Good shows us how our feelings are shaped by our thoughts. It tells us we are not our thoughts — that we can distance ourselves from negative thoughts and learn to question their validity.

The book shares some great techniques for training our minds to question and disempower negative thinking about ourselves and others. Psychotherapists have repeatedly nominated it as one of the best and most efficacious self-help books on the market.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling, Start Living – Russ Harris

While CBT remains a powerful technique for addressing negative thoughts, we are, of course, not purely rational creatures. Sometimes, our attempts to control our thoughts can even become counterproductive.

In The Happiness Trap , the doctor Russ Harris explains the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — a third-wave cognitive behavioral intervention that also integrates insights from ancient wisdom practices.

Harris invites us not to try to control our negative thoughts or uncomfortable feelings, nor to attempt to reason them away, but simply to de-fuse with them. He suggests we accept them and then try to let them go.

So-called negative thoughts, Harris argues, are a natural part of being human. If we accept that we don’t always think happy thoughts and will also experience feelings such as sadness, anger, and shame occasionally, these thoughts and feelings will come and go more naturally.

By stopping our attempts to try to control thoughts and feelings, we will also have more energy available to commit to value-based action.

3. Man’s Search for Meaning: The Classic Tribute to Hope From the Holocaust – Viktor Frankl

According to psychiatrist, founder of logotherapy , and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, our most important task in life is to furnish it with meaning.

Indeed, we must find meaning even in our suffering. In his deeply moving book, Frankl observes that those who did this when they were interned in Nazi concentration camps had a much higher chance of survival. If there is a powerful “why” that drives us, he writes, we can tolerate almost any “how.”

While meaning making can take many forms, including loving, creating, and contributing to the wellbeing of others, Frankl insists on one limitation: Meaning has to be situated in the world rather than in our own psyches.

Our life’s purpose cannot just be the desire to become our best possible self. The self is a very poor site for meaning, Frankl argues. We need projects that transcend the self. We need to feel part of a community or contribute to it by making something or caring deeply for someone.

4. Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being – Martin Seligman

One of the founding fathers of positive psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman , proposes a new perspective on human wellbeing in his book Flourish .

Merely striving for happiness, he writes, is not sufficient for a fulfilling life. Instead, Seligman argues that human flourishing involves five key elements, which can be summed up by the acronym PERMA:

• Positive emotion Seligman emphasizes the importance of experiencing positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, and contentment.
• Engagement Seligman also highlights the significance of being fully and deeply engaged in activities that provide a sense of flow and absorption.
• Relationships Seligman recognizes the value of positive social connections and emphasizes our need for healthy relationships. Building and nurturing strong connections with others are major contributing factors to wellbeing. They generate a sense of belonging and community.
• Meaning Like Frankl, Seligman argues that finding purpose and meaning in life is crucial for flourishing. We therefore need to pursue activities that align with our values, strengths, and beliefs, and that provide a sense of fulfillment and direction.
• Accomplishment Finally, we need to set and aim to achieve meaningful goals. Seligman promotes the pursuit of mastery and accomplishments in various areas of life to foster a sense of competence and personal growth.

Find the book on Amazon.

These workbooks perfectly complement the books listed above. Two are based on ACT and one is based on CBT approaches.

Completing a workbook while you are reading a related mental health book will deepen your learning and ensure that it sinks in at an experiential level.

Workbooks can help you transform mere information into something that constitutes deeper and felt knowledge that has the power to shift your perspective on yourself and on how you see the world.

1. ACTivate Your Life: Using Acceptance and Mindfulness to Build a Life That Is Rich, Fulfilling and Fun – Joe Oliver, Jon Hill, and Eric Morris

This workbook comes with a recommendation from Steven C. Hayes, the co-developer of ACT.

It includes a clear introduction to the ACT approach , numerous real-life scenarios that illustrate and make ACT principles come alive, and workbook activities both for clinicians and clients.

ACTivate Your Life can be used to set meaningful goals and helps us live a life of direction and purpose.

2. ACT Worksheets – Russ Harris

Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap (mentioned above) offers the complete set of worksheets from his famous book for free on his website.

You can access the worksheets on The Happiness Trap website .

3. The Feeling Good Handbook – David D. Burns

This handbook, by the author of the ground-breaking Feeling Good: The New Mood Therap y, is the perfect accompaniment to Burns’s highly commended book.

It contains updates on the science and numerous practical exercises and has been recommended by mental health professionals.

It will help you lead a happier and more fulfilling life.

Download 3 Meaning & Valued Living Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you or your clients with tools to find meaning in life help and pursue directions that are in alignment with values.

Download 3 Free Meaning Tools Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

Children, too, can benefit enormously from books about mental health. It is important and rewarding to help your children develop emotional literacy and awareness from an early age.

The books below are all well received, much praised, and suitable for different age groups. They provide children with emotion-related vocabulary and concepts, as well as inspiration for looking at our emotions with curiosity and a growth mindset.

1. The Feelings Book – Todd Parr

This colorful and engaging book helps very young children explore different emotions, ranging from happiness and excitement to sadness and anger.

It encourages open conversations about feelings, normalizes emotions, and promotes self-expression .

Recommended for children aged 3 to 6.

2. An Emotional Menagerie: Feelings From A to Z – The School of Life

This beautifully written and illustrated emotional glossary for children contains 26 rhyming poems.

Arranged alphabetically, the poems cover feelings such as anger, boredom, curiosity, dreaminess, fear, guilt, and more.

They represent each emotion as an animal and explain how feelings arise, how they can make us behave, what effects they have, and how we can learn to manage them better.

This book aims to enhance children’s emotional literacy.

Recommended reading age: 8 to 11 years.

3. You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to Be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything – Matthew Syed

This was the children’s book of 2019 and is a Sunday Times number one bestseller for a reason: It inspires and empowers young readers, helping them find the confidence to realize their potential.

You Are Awesome shows that success is earned rather than given, and that we can work hard to gain and foster talent. It promotes determination, self-belief, confidence, and a growth mindset.

Recommended reading age: 8 to 12 years.

Being a teenager is far from easy at the best of times, and it is especially hard in times of social media-fueled mental distress and in the age of climate change.

Teenagers can benefit enormously from books that normalize the changes and experiences they may go through, and that provide encouragement and inspiration for embracing their strengths and uniqueness.

The following books are examples that are particularly well written, authored by two award-winning journalists and by the excellent School of Life collective.

1. The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, & Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self – Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

This book is aimed at girls. It offers insights and practical advice on building confidence, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing our unique strengths.

It empowers teenage girls to navigate challenges, take risks, and develop resilience . The book contains many valuable practical tips and powerful and inspiring anecdotes that teach girls to become bold, brave, and fearless.

It was a New York Times , USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller and is written by the bestselling authors of The Confidence Code .

2. Dare to Be You: Defy Self-Doubt, Fearlessly Follow Your Path and Be Confidently You! – Matthew Syed

Syed’s sequel to the award-winning You Are Awesome draws on examples from sports, science, and business.

Dare to Be You encourages teenage readers to embrace their uniqueness, courageously to follow their path, and to look at the world around them more critically and discerningly.

It helps young teenagers appreciate the power of diverse and original thinking and to develop their inner confidence .

Recommended reading age 9 to 13 years.

3. Happy, Healthy Minds: A Children’s Guide to Emotional Wellbeing – The School of Life

This exquisitely written and nicely illustrated book examines a range of different topics that children may experience as difficult.

Chapters include explorations of parents, friendship, school, anxiety, technology, first love, and emotions.

Described as an “atlas to a child’s mind,” Happy, Healthy Minds explores ideas about how children can cope with the vicissitudes of growing up.

Offering a sympathetic and supportive way of looking at ourselves and the world, it equips children with emotional intelligence and coping skills and makes them feel less alone with their problems.

Recommended for children aged 10 to 16.

The following three books do not address specific mental health problems.

Rather, they provide more general timeless guidelines on living fulfilling and meaning-rich lives, by optimizing our ability to connect with other people, living more fully in the present moment, or practicing altruism.

1. How to Win Friends and Influence Peopl e – Dale Carnegie

Written during the Great Depression, How to Win Friends and Influence People is still in print for a reason. Carnegie’s classic is teeming with sensible and practical tips for making the best of human relations.

And as many psychologists have shown, the quality, depth, and number of our relationships are a key factor in predicting our overall wellbeing.

Key to Carnegie’s method is the art of mentalizing — stepping into the shoes of others and trying to see the world from their point of view.

Very few of us master this art because it requires the ability to imagine how other people may think and to take their perspective.

2. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle’s key message in his bestselling book is simple: We are not our thoughts.

We have the ability to become detached watchers of our thoughts rather than fusing with them. We don’t get entangled in them and observe our thoughts with discernment. By doing so, we can learn to be more present in our lives and cherish what Tolle calls the “power of now.”

Most of our thoughts, Tolle writes, revolve around the past or the future. Our past furnishes us with an identity, while the future holds “the promise of salvation.”

Both are illusions because the present moment is all we ever really have. We therefore need to learn to be present as “watchers” of our minds, witnessing our thought patterns rather than identifying with them. That way, we can relearn to live truly in the now.

This book is spiritual/esoteric rather than science-based, but it touches on felt truths that many of us will recognize.

3. Altruism: The Science and Psychology of Kindness – Matthieu Ricard

In many theologies and wisdom traditions, altruism is the highest moral and spiritual value.

More recently, psychologists have shown that altruistic acts not only benefit the recipient but also lead those who perform them to be happier.

Like human relationships, altruism is a key factor in our overall wellbeing. Engaging in altruistic activities is a necessary component of meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Moreover, practicing altruism , the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard argues in this compassionate and carefully researched book, is the key not just to our personal happiness, but also to solving our most pressing social, economic, and environmental problems.

Altruism enables us “to connect harmoniously the challenges of the economy in the short term, quality of life in the mean term, and our future environment in the long term.”

Grit, Four Thousand Weeks , and Daring Greatly are all much-loved and bestselling recent books that are now available as audiobooks, too.

Grit explains how to strengthen our perseverance muscles and why that matters, while Four Thousand Weeks offers sage advice on how to make the most of our limited time on earth. Lastly, Daring Greatly invites us to be vulnerable — a core prerequisite for living an authentic life with deep and meaningful connections.

1. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance  – Angela Duckworth

Grit tops talent every time, according to the psychologist Angela Duckworth.

“Our potential is one thing,” Duckworth writes. “What we do with it is quite another.”

She defines grit as a drive to improve both our skills and our performance with consistent effort.

Importantly, gritty people are always eager to learn and are driven by an enduring passion. They have a growth mindset and learn from their mistakes. They also have direction and purpose and live more coherent lives.

Find the book on Audible .

2. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks is about our time troubles in troubling times.

“The average human lifespan is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short,” Burkeman reminds us. On average, we have 4,000 weeks. From this simple observation follow various deeper and unsettling truths.

While most of us have infinitely ambitious plans about how to spend our time, we have only a very limited time span to put them into action. We therefore need a radical shift in perspective. We have to embrace our limits and free ourselves of the troublesome set of dominant cultural ideas about time management and productivity.

We have to confront, head on, the fact of our finitude .

All our attempts to master time are in effect avoidance strategies. We try to avoid facing the fact that our time, significance, and abilities are all seriously limited.

We also try to avoid tough choices regarding what we can and cannot dedicate time to. Burkeman invites us to refrain from treating our time as something to hoard and rather to treat it as something to cherish and share.

3. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead – Brené Brown

The inspirational psychologist, bestselling author, and TED-talker Brené Brown challenges what we think we know about vulnerability.

Vulnerability , she writes, is not weakness but strength. Revealing our true selves to others is an act of tremendous courage, and it includes taking risks. And yet, it is also a powerful way of building connections, creating trust, and inviting meaning and purpose into our lives.

Vulnerability allows us to be truly seen and to connect on a basis of authenticity.

17 Tools To Encourage Meaningful, Value-Aligned Living

This 17 Meaning & Valued Living Exercises [PDF] pack contains our best exercises for helping others discover their purpose and live more fulfilling, value-aligned lives.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

In addition to our list of recommended books and other self-care articles, we are also happy to offer you a range of completely free worksheets and exercises.

If you are interested in CBT, for example, you may find the following worksheets helpful:

• Getting Rid of ANTS: Automatic Negative Thoughts This worksheet helps you develop techniques for managing unhelpful cognitions.
• Dysfunctional Thought Record This record keeping worksheet shows you how to log your unhelpful thoughts so that you can understand the patterns and situations in which they show up.
• Testing Beliefs Our testing beliefs worksheet , finally, allows you to test your negative thoughts and underlying negative beliefs and assumptions behaviorally.

For those of you interested in ACT techniques, you may enjoy the following free worksheets:

• Values and Problems This worksheet introduces four key ACT concepts and shows you how to use them to live in a more values-oriented way.
• Values Clarification The Values Clarification worksheet helps you determine what is really important in your life and why.
• Exploring Willingness and Commitment This exercise invites you to isolate specific values and to commit to steps toward pursuing them in your life.

If you found this modest collection of mental health books too modest, you can also dive into our other lists of recommended books:

• 27 Books to Improve Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and Self-Image
• 19 Best Books on Self-Discipline and Self-Control

If reading about mental health care has piqued your interest in self-care and wellbeing, you might also benefit from one of our many life-changing masterclasses. Why not have a look at the Science of Self-Acceptance Masterclass, for example?

The Science of Self-Acceptance Masterclass© will help you and your clients end the unhealthy search for self-esteem. Learn how to build a lasting sense of being good enough, regardless of failures, meeting external standards, or gaining approval from others.

A last suggestion if you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others discover meaning is this collection, which contains 17 validated meaning tools for practitioners. Use them to help others choose directions for their lives in alignment with what is truly important to them.

When choosing books on mental health and wellbeing, make sure that you know what kinds of approaches work for you.

Which psychological and philosophical frameworks best reflect your own values and beliefs? Which therapeutic interventions have worked for you in the past?

Are you attracted predominantly to rational reasoning-based models such as CBT, or do the notions of radical acceptance and letting go, which feature more prominently in ACT, chime with you more? Or might spiritual or existentialist models speak to you?

We are all unique and different, and choosing our self-help wisely is an important prerequisite for its chances to be genuinely of help in our growth and healing journeys.

To find self-help that works for us, we need to know our preferences and our preferred learning styles. Once we are clear about that, we will make more empowered choices.

We hope that in this selection of books, which covers a range of approaches, you will find the one that helps you with your own personal breakthrough. Feel free to share your insights and other book recommendations below.

Don’t forget to download our three Meaning and Valued Living Exercises for free .

Ed: Updated July 2023

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What our readers think.

What an interesting and good content you made, thank you

Excellent article and although from some of the comments it appears some people think that this should be an exhaustive list, as a fellow clinician I am aware it can never be such. I rarely make blog comments but I have to say I think this list is an excellent start point. If I may (and I hope I am not breaking any posting guidelines here) I would like to add just one, “Keeping The Love You Find” by Harville Hendrix. Having a library of over 600 books it is, in my opinion, the bible for relationships, and as we all know, the health of our relationships can impact on pretty much every area of our mental health. Warmly, Dr T. Roberts

Anxiety and reading go along very well, and everyone has their own comforting genre. For me, Patricia Hartmann’s work is extremely amusing and helpful. You should check out her work at her site pathartmannbooks.com

32 is too many for a short casual article for someone seeking mental health help, which certainly means they are likely to not have a clear mind at the time. The categories are also rather a big jumbled. Please try to take the perspective of people who are seeking this information.

Thank you for your feedback. We’re always looking for ways we can improve our articles so will keep this in mind for future posts!

– Nicole | Community Manager

“Mental Health” (number 3 in the audiobook section) should be removed! So many red flags about the author’s credibility that I couldn’t finish the first chapter. There is no evidence that she is a mental health professional or that she is qualified to be giving mental health advice/treatment. You can’t find information on her anywhere. Furthermore, she doesn’t provide sources for claims made, and even rips off of other psychologists’ ideas (for example, on pg. 7, Carol Dweck’s “growth mindset” vs. “fixed mindset”) without citing them! This book is not only poorly written (style comparable to a high school research paper), but it is potentially dangerous for people who need legitimate mental health advice.

Hi J, Thank you for flagging this with us. We’ll pass this on to our editing team to take a closer look. – Nicole | Community Manager

Fantastic job. Very helpful.

Hi Thank you for the list of books. It is appreciated

I would like to add to your list “10 Steps to Self-Esteem” by Dr. Burns. It addresses anxiety and depression and is in workbook form. Check it out!

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16 Mental Health Books for Tough Days, Good Days, and Every Day in Between

by Sonya Matejko

Today more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, and we’re only just starting to break up with the taboo on mental health. In the meantime, we do what we can — and we learn to let that be enough. Of course, some days will be easier than others, while some weeks will make you feel like you’ve lost all progress. But nothing is ever truly lost, and the below collection offers a diverse array of answers, methods, and stories of inspiration to help you get found. From overcoming trauma to battling burnout, consider this a mental health resource you can turn to no matter what troubles you. And whether you find this list on a tough day, a good day, or someday in between, remember that you are not alone on this daily journey. (After all, none of these books would exist if everything and everyone were perfect.)

Enchantment

By katherine may, hardcover $26.00, buy from other retailers:.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace

By nedra glover tawwab.

by Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski, DMA

Paperback $17.00.

by Gabrielle Bernstein

Paperback $17.99.

Love Poems for Anxious People

By john kenney, hardcover $15.00.

I Really Needed This Today

By hoda kotb, hardcover $24.00.

Good Enough

By kate bowler and jessica richie, hardcover $21.00.

by Cyndie Spiegel

You’re Going to Be Okay

By madeline popelka, paperback $16.99.

The Comfort Book

By matt haig, hardcover $22.00.

by Yung Pueblo

More Than Enough

By elaine welteroth, paperback $18.00.

Brave, Not Perfect

By reshma saujani.

Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes

By mercedes acosta, karen jialu bao, james bird, and many more.

Brain Energy

By christopher m. palmer, md, hardcover $28.95.

From Strength to Strength

By arthur c. brooks, hardcover $28.00.

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The 48 Best Mental Health Books For You to Read

Discover the best mental health books to help with life’s ups and downs with this list containing both nonfiction and fiction books about mental health.

Long considered a taboo topic, mental health has become a major topic of conversation in our day and age. We are finally coming to understand that your social, emotional, and psychological well-being is as important as your physical well-being.

Each and every one of us could use help learning to cope with life’s ups and downs. Mental health books will help you process your emotions, overcome trauma, and understand yourself better. By giving you a better understanding of anxiety, depression, stress, grief, and other mental health issues, books about mental health will help build your resilience to life’s challenges.

I’m a book expert, not a mental health professional. This list of mental health books is not medical advice. Rather, it’s the books about mental health that I’ve seen most oft-recommended. These are the books I’ve heard about on podcasts, seen on a therapist’s bookshelf, and heard mentioned by friends and family. 

And being a book person, I couldn’t resist adding some fiction books about mental health to the list. I’ve found that reading novels is a great way to build empathy and awareness on a variety of issues, including mental health. 

Don’t Miss a Thing

The Best Mental Health Books

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Lori gottlieb.

As a therapist, Lori Gottlieb spent all day helping others with their problems. Yet, when her longtime boyfriend unexpectedly broke up with her, she found herself on the receiving end of therapy. Gottlieb’s memoir is top-notch with exceptional pacing, slyly weaving in explanations of therapy within the fascinating story of Gottlieb’s therapy sessions. You’ll quickly become attached to finding out what happens to her patients – a narcissistic tv producer, a dying newlywed, and a depressed senior citizen.

Publication Date: 2 April 2019 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Body Keeps the Score

Bessel van der kolk.

One of the pioneers of PTSD and trauma research, Bessel van der Kolk knows that trauma is part of life. Yet trauma doesn’t just reside in our minds but actually changes the body and brain to change a person’s ability to feel pleasure, self-control, and trust. In one of the most recommended mental health books, Van der Kolk explores different treatments for trauma, offering ways to heal the body and mind to find safety.

Publication Date: 12 June 2014 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

What Happened to You?

Bruce d. perry and oprah winfrey.

Instead of asking What’s wrong with you? , we should be asking What happened to you ? Oprah Winfrey teams up with neuroscientist Bruce D. Perry to discuss how understanding the trauma we faced at a young age can impact our behaviors now. By understanding our past, we can shift our viewpoint and see a clear path to healing.

Publication Date: 27 April 2021 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Gifts of Imperfection

Brené brown.

We all have that ideal image of ourselves in our heads, but in The Gifts of Imperfection , Brené Brown shows you how to let go of being perfect and accept who you are. Discussing her ten guide points to a whole-hearted life, Brown helps you embrace your inner flaws and find the courage to engage with the world unashamedly.

Publication Date: 27 August 2010 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Hidden Valley Road

Robert kolker.

Shortly after World War II, Don and Mimi Galvin seemed to be living the American Dream, raising their twelve children in Colorado. Until one after another, six of their ten sons were diagnosed with schizophrenia. The tale of an American family who became the center of most of our current research on schizophrenia, Hidden Valley Road became one of the top nonfiction books of 2020.

Publication Date: 7 April 2020 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

What My Bones Know

Stephanie foo.

On the outside, Stephanie Foo had a great life as a successful radio producer with a loving boyfriend, but behind closed doors, she had constant panic attacks. Eventually, Foo was diagnosed with complex PTSD, a little-understood condition caused by years of constant trauma. Her diagnosis sent her on a path to heal herself, researching complex PTSD and the roots of her and her family’s trauma.

Publication Date: 22 February 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

A Man Called Ove

Fredrik backman.

Ove, a cantankerous old Swede, just wants to be left in peace so he can commit suicide, but his pesky neighbors keep getting in the way. This heartwarming tale that you’ll find downright hilarious will be a book club favorite for years to come. Highlighting our need for connection in the modern world, A Man Called Ove typifies how important it is to leave our digital worlds and make sure we check in on our neighbors.

Publication Date: 27 August 2012 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Save for Later

Mental Health Books by Therapists and Psychologists

It Didn’t Start with You

Mark wolynn.

Scientists have proven that trauma reshapes the body and brain. In groundbreaking research, It Didn’t Start with You builds on books like The Body Keeps the Score to explain how trauma can be passed down through generations. Wolynn explains how inherited family trauma works, offers examples to understand how it has affected your own life, and provides exercises to help you learn to heal.

Publication Date: 26 April 2016 Amazon | Goodreads

How to Do the Work

Nicole lepera.

After hitting rock bottom, clinical psychologist Nicole LePera needed a more holistic approach to heal her body, mind, and soul. Known on Instagram as The Holistic Psychologist, LePera explains how past childhood trauma can lead to whole body dysfunction as adults and shares ways to learn to process negative emotions instead of falling into self-sabotaging cycles.

Publication Date: 9 March 2021 Amazon | Goodreads

Set Boundaries, Find Peace

Nedra glover tawwab.

Everyone knows they should set healthy boundaries. Yet, what are healthy boundaries and how do you set them without offending others? As a licensed counselor, Tawwab presents powerfully simple ways to set healthy boundaries in your life so you can express your needs clearly and without apology. More than just setting boundaries, Tawwab wants to help you understand the root of your problems that cause codependency, anxiety, and burnout so you can find peace.

Publication Date: 1 January 2021 Amazon | Goodreads

Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind

Jennifer shannon.

If you have anxiety, you know the endless cycle of worry that feeds off itself to make you increasingly more anxious. Instead of avoiding what makes us anxious, which only ends up feeding our anxiety, psychotherapist Jennifer Shannon teaches small and simple ways to build resiliency to your anxiety. By breaking the cycle, you’ll be able to find the confidence to cope with your anxiety and find peace and resiliency even in anxious situations.

Publication Date: 1 April 2017 Amazon | Goodreads

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before

Julie smith.

Clinical psychologist Julie Smith has gained a popular following on social media and her new mental health book provides skills to help you navigate common life challenges. Considered her “therapist’s toolkit,” every chapter covers a different everyday issue – such as grief, self-doubt, and stress – and provides practical solutions and advice.

Publication Date: 6 January 2022 Amazon | Goodreads

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

Lindsay c. gibson.

When children grow up with parents who are emotionally immature, selfish or unavailable, the damage has lasting effect on them as they grow into adults. Not having your needs met as a child, having feelings dismissed, or being forced to take on adult responsibilities all cause a sense of neglect that lingers into adulthood. Gibson helps you understand how your parents’ behaviors have affected you and how to build positive new relationships in your own life.

Publication Date: 1 June 2015 Amazon | Goodreads

Good Mental Health Books to Improve Your Life

Emily and Amelia Nagoski

Burnout has become a common problem for modern women as they futilely try to close the gap between what is expected of women and what it’s really like to be a woman. Sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski shine a light on the obstacles and societal pressures facing women today and how to fight against them. Burnout uses science and anecdotes to explain the stress-cycle and provides worksheets and exercises to help you understand that you are enough and true wellness is within your reach.

Publication Date: 14 March 2019 Amazon | Goodreads

Codependent No More

Melody beattie.

As you help others, sometimes compassion and empathy can go too far and someone else’s problems become your own. Beattie explains how to break this cycle of codependency and helps you understand that you are powerless to change anyone but yourself. With life stories, exercises and self-tests, Codependent No More will help you set healthy boundaries and break unhealthy habits in your relationships.

Publication Date: 1 January 1986 Amazon | Goodreads

From Strength to Strength

Arthur c. brooks.

In one of the best mental health books after midlife, Atlantic columnist Arthur C. Brooks teaches how to find happiness in the second half of life. Brooks points out that the more successful you are, the sharper you notice the decline in your abilities as you age. Brooks gives a roadmap to refocusing priorities to achieve greater happiness later in life.

Publication Date: 15 February 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Atlas of the Heart

Known for her work researching vulnerability and shame, Brené Brown’s mental health books have enlightened millions of readers. In Atlas of the Heart , Brown takes you on a journey through what it means to be human. Brown focuses on the 87 emotions that we feel, giving you tools and skills to navigate each emotion and understand how to give yourself a chance at more connection.

Publication Date: 30 November 2021 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Highly Sensitive Person

Elaine aron.

Everyone feels overstimulated on occasion, but for highly sensitive people, overstimulation is a constant feature of life. Psychologist Elaine Aron, a highly sensitive person herself, shows how you can identify if you are a highly sensitive person and teaches ways you can improve your daily interactions. As with most mental health books, The Highly Sensitive Person will help you understand yourself better so you can go on to live a richer life.

Publication Date: 2 June 1997 Amazon | Goodreads

Hold Me Tight

Sue johnson.

Mental health books discuss a variety of therapeutic methods and Sue Johnson uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help couples heal and nurture their relationship. Viewing the love relationship as an attachment bond, Hold Me Tight uses seven conversations to explain the cycles and behaviors couples tend to go through as they look to each other for emotional connection.

Publication Date: 8 April 2008 Amazon | Goodreads

Inspiring Self-Help Books About Mental Health

Glennon Doyle

While promoting Love Warrior , her memoir about recovering her marriage after her husband’s infidelity, Glennon Doyle fell in love with US soccer star Abby Wambach. Suddenly Doyle realized the life she had so carefully put together wasn’t the life she ever really wanted. Breaking free of social conditioning and a lifetime of people pleasing, Doyle inspires women to set boundaries and remember that true power comes from within and not from the expectations others put on them.

Publication Date: 10 March 2020 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Light We Carry

Michelle obama.

In an uncertain world, former First Lady Michelle Obama teaches strategies to help you find hope and balance. Instead of cliche affirmations, Obama digs deep into the conversation about difficult topics and finds practical wisdom to help readers cope. With insightful stories and usable tools, Obama hopes to empower readers to find connections in an ever-changing world.

Publication Date: 15 November 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Daring Greatly

Did you know that vulnerability can be one of your greatest strengths? Yet being vulnerable often feels uncomfortable and dangerous, making us want to do the complete opposite. Based on years of research, Brown argues that it is only by being vulnerable that we can find the courage to engage in meaningful connections, whether in our relationships, our communities, or our careers. 

Publication Date: 11 September 2012 Amazon | Goodreads

Brave, Not Perfect

Reshma saujani.

Inspired by her TED Talk, Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, empowers women to be brave enough to embrace imperfection. From a young age, girls are conditioned to be nice – to be kind, considerate, and not offend. Yet, what works well in elementary doesn’t translate into real-life, creating women who feel like they are never good enough. By explaining the societal pressures women face as they grow, Saujani inspires you to take a solid look at your own insecurities and realize that you are enough as you are.

Publication Date: 5 February 2019 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Stunning Memoirs About Mental Health

Jenny Lawson

Among the best memoirs about mental health is Jenny Lawson’s candid look at anxiety and depression. With wit and humor, Lawson relates her mental and physical health journey in a series of essays. In a world where we don’t talk about mental health enough, Lawson’s humorous anecdotes remind us that we aren’t the only ones with these struggles.

Publication Date: 6 April 2021 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

While You Were Out

Meg kissinger.

If you saw Meg Kissinger’s family in the suburbs of Chicago during the 1960s, you’d think they had a charmed life. With eight children and two loving parents, the Kissinger family lived large and played hard. However, behind closed doors the family struggled with mental illness that was never openly discussed: a mother heavily medicated for depression and anxiety, a manic father prone to violence, and siblings battling with depression and bipolar disorder, two of whom took their own lives. Opening up about her childhood, Meg Kissinger discusses how it led her to become a journalist investigating the broken mental health system in the United States.

Publication Date: 5 September 2023 Amazon | Goodreads

Edith Eva Eger

When she was sixteen years old, Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. Forced to dance before Dr. Josef Mengele for her survival, Edith endured and witnessed terrible atrocities at the hands of the Nazis before being pulled from a pile of dead bodies when the camp was liberated in 1945. For years, Edith had flashbacks and unrelenting survivor’s guilt until she returned to visit Auschwitz decades later and finally learned to forgive herself.

Publication Date: 5 September 2017 Amazon | Goodreads

I’m Glad My Mom Died

Jennette mccurdy.

Both vulnerable and hilarious, Jennette McCurdy’s tell-all memoir sends a poignant message about the dangers of child acting and life with a narcissistic mother. McCurdy brilliantly embraces her inner child by describing how desperately she wanted to please her mom by acting, even if it led to an eating disorder and a chaotic relationship with her family that she didn’t fully understand until attending therapy after her mother’s death. 

Publication Date: 9 August 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Glass Castle

Jeannette walls.

In one of the most powerful memoirs of recent years, Jeannette Walls recounts the story of her tumultuous childhood. She opens the book with the account of how at 3 years old, she ends up hospitalized with severe burns after pouring scalding water on herself when cooking hot dogs for lunch. You meet her charming father Rex, equal measures brilliant and paranoid; her mother Rose, selfish and depressed; and her three siblings, trying their best just to survive.

Publication Date: March 2005 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

In her poignant memoir, Gay focuses on her weight and self-image. After being raped as a child, Gay used food and an overweight body as a shield. Speaking with candor on the realities of being obese in America and the conflict between self-love and self-care, Gay’s opinions are raw, honest, and complicated.

Publication Date: 13 June 2017 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Gripping Novels About Mental Health

The Midnight Library

In the Midnight Library, there are two books – one book for the life you’ve lived and one for the one you could have lived. After attempting suicide, Nora Seed finds herself there. Now she must decide which book to choose from. What if she had made different choices? Would her life have been any better? All of us have regrets, and by allowing Nora the possibility to redo her life, Haig does a brilliant job showing how we can never predict the outcomes of our choices. A thoroughly enjoyable read that intimately talks about the pain depression and second-guessing has on life.

Publication Date: 29 September 2020 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Really Good, Actually

Monica heisey.

Even though Maggie and her husband have been together since they were teens, they find themselves divorcing less than two years after their wedding. Although she pretends everything is fine, Maggie is a hot mess. With observant sarcasm, Heisey narrates Maggie’s self-destruction thoughts and cringeworthy choices as she painfully learns to take care of herself.

Publication Date: 17 January 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Bell Jar

Sylvia plath.

In one of the most famous classic books about mental health, Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical work shows protagonist Esther Greenwood’s mental breakdown. Starting a summer internship in New  York City, Esther struggles to feel joy or excitement like her colleagues. When she doesn’t get an academic job after her internship, Esther feels lost, depressed, and suicidal. After entering an asylum, Esther eventually recovers and finds a new perspective on life.

Publication Date: 14 January 1963 Amazon | Goodreads

My Dark Vanessa

Kate elizabeth russell.

Russell’s dark debut novel explores the relationship between a naive young girl and her manipulative teacher. As a fifteen-year-old, Vanessa began an affair with her 42-year-old English teacher. Now almost two decades later, when allegations arise against Mr. Strane, Vanessa must confront the reality of her past and reassess her first love. In the post #Metoo era, Russell raises questions about such pressing topics as consent and victimhood.

Genevieve Wheeler

Adelaide’s dreamy life in London is made even better when she falls hard for Rory. He might not be the perfect boyfriend, but she’s fallen so hard for him that he lights up her world. When Rory’s ex-girlfriend dies, Adelaide does all she can to hold him together. However, she worries she is losing herself in the process. Of recent books about mental health, Adelaide is a powerful debut exploring toxic relationships, grief, and trauma.

Publication Date: 18 April 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Girls at 17 Swann Street

Yara zgheib.

Professional dancer Anna Roux is plagued with uncertainties. In an attempt to take control, she starts controlling her eating and eventually weighs only 88 pounds. Admitted to a treatment facility for her anorexia, Anna meets other brave women fighting their own battles with eating disorders. Once you get past the unusual formatting, the raw emotion of The Girls at 17 Swann Street draws you in with peeks into Anna’s thoughts throughout her struggle with her mental illness.

Fiction Books About Mental Health: Family Dramas

Transcendent Kingdom

In her fifth year studying neuroscience at Stanford, Gifty is determined to find the cause of suffering, studying depression and addiction in mice. The further she dives into the science, the more her childhood faith seems to call to her. Can faith or science alleviate the suffering she sees in her family of Ghanaian immigrants struggling with depression, addiction, and grief?

Publication Date: 1 September 2020 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Gail honeyman.

If you want uplifting books about mental health, you’ve found the perfect choice in socially awkward Eleanor Oliphant. She has the habit of saying exactly what she thinks and much prefers to spend her weekends at home talking on the phone to her mother. When Eleanor and her slovenly coworker Raymond help an elderly gentleman after a fall, the three become friends and Eleanor learns that opening up isn’t always a bad thing.

Publication Date: 24 April 2017 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Hello Beautiful

Ann napolitano.

After a childhood of being ignored by his family, William Waters finds refuge playing basketball in college. When William meets Julia Padavano, a lively girl extremely close to her parents and three sisters, he quickly becomes a part of the close-knit Padavano family. Although cracks start to appear in the family, William never imagined he’d be the wedge to drive them apart. A homage to Little Women , Hello Beautiful gorgeously describes family and sisterhood, mental health, and forgiveness, in such a way that you will never forget this story.

Publication Date: 14 March 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

When she marries a charming entrepreneur and moves to the suburbs, Yara thinks she has finally escaped her conservative Palestinian upbringing. Yet even her dream job with her dream family doesn’t seem to fulfill Yara. Yet as Yara’s world begins to implode, she realizes that the upbringing that she thought she left behind has lasting consequences for her and her daughters. Discussing life as an immigrant, gender roles, and multi-generational trauma, Evil Eye would be an excellent choice for book club books about mental health.

Publication Date: 5 September 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Ask Again, Yes

Mary beth keane.

Though their children Kate and Peter become the best of friends, Francis and his wife have learned to keep their distance from Brian’s wife due to her precarious mental health. When tragedy strikes between the two families, Brian’s family moves away in shame. But when Kate and Peter fall in love, the two families must learn to confront the tragedy that ties them together. A story of love and forgiveness, Ask Again, Yes serves up the perfect blend of family drama and character study to make it a great novel about mental health to read.

Publication Date: 28 May 2019 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

Former poet laureate Dorothy Moy has always channeled her dissociative episodes and mental health into her work. When her daughter starts showing similar behaviors and remembering items from the lives of past ancestors, Dorothy worries she’ll lose custody. So she undergoes an experimental treatment to alleviate inherited trauma, becoming intimately connected with the past generations of women in her family.

Publication Date: 2 August 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Mental Health Books for Teens

Turtles All the Way Down

John Green’s young adult book about mental health follows sixteen-year-old Aza as she investigates the mystery of a fugitive billionaire. Hoping to earn the $100,000 reward, Aza and her best friend Daisy befriend his son Davis hoping to find answers. John Green eloquently delves into Aza’s mental health issues with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which makes this novel especially significant for teenagers today.

Publication Date: 10 October 2017 Amazon | Goodreads

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Erika sánchez.

In Chicago, the Reyes family has two daughters: Olga, the perfect obedient Mexican daughter, and Julia, a headstrong rebellious teenager. When Olga dies in a tragic bus accident, Julia blames herself and fights against the weight of the parental and cultural expectations she feels. When Julia starts looking into Olga’s life, she begins to truly understand that no one is perfect.

Publication Date: 17 October 2017 Amazon | Goodreads

Chaos Theory

Enrolling in Windward Academy as a senior, brilliant Shelbi has avoided getting close to anyone at her new school. When she sees Andy Criddle, the politician’s son running from addiction and grief, she can relate. Soon sparks fly between Shelbi and Andy. But the last time Shelbi opened up about her bipolar disorder, she was horribly bullied. Will things be different or will Andy’s own trauma collide with hers in devastating ways?

Publication Date: 28 February 2022 Amazon | Goodreads

All the Bright Places

Jennifer niven.

In this classic twist on the opposites attract theme, teenagers Theodore Finch and Violet Markey meet on the ledge of the school’s bell tower. Finch is constantly contemplating suicide while Violet is just counting the days until graduation, hoping to escape her small town and the grief from her sister’s death. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the school’s six-story bell tower, it’s hard to tell who saved whom. Yet as Violet’s world begins to grow, Finch’s begins to shrink even more.

Publication Date: 6 January 2015 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

An Emotion of Great Delight

Tahereh mafi.

In the months after the US declares war on Iraq, an American Muslim teenage girl and her family must navigate identity, friendship, love, and heartache. Shadi has enough going on to have to deal with bigotry, too. Her brother is dead, her father is dying, her mother is falling apart, and her best friend has disappeared. She tries to keep it all inside, but when her heart is also broken, she finally explodes.

Publication Date: 1 June 2021 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen chbosky.

In one of the most popular young adult mental health books, Charlie narrates his struggles to adapt to his first year in high school in a series of letters. After the suicide of his best friend from middle school and the death of his beloved aunt, Charlie feels completely lost until he befriends two seniors. With the help of Patrick and Sam, Charlie navigates a difficult year, hitting on the tough topics of abuse and mental health.

Publication Date: 1 February 1999 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda finds herself an outcast starting her first day as a freshman at Merryweather High. No one wants to speak to her after she called the cops on the big end-of-summer party. The further isolated Melinda becomes, the more she finds solace in her art class. Through her art project, Melinda begins to find her voice again and dares to speak up about the upperclassman who raped her at that summer party.

Publication Date: 22 October 1999 Amazon | Goodreads

What Mental Health Books Would You Recommend?

Have you found any mental health books beneficial? What books about mental health would you add to the list? As always, let me know in the comments!

More Recommended Reading Lists:

• 28 Books That Make You Think Differently
• 32 Empowering Books for Women
• The Best Non-parenting Books for Moms
• The Best (and Worst) Books on Minimalism
• 46 Delightful Books About Friendship

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January 23, 2024 at 12:15 pm

I read Dirty Laundry by Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help. Recommend it as it goes through nuerotypical way of seeing ADHD and the Nuerdivergent ways with 10 tips for both sides.

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6 Great Y.A. Books That Open Up Conversations About Teen Mental Health

Nic Stone, the author of “Dear Martin,” “Chaos Theory” and more, recommends some of her favorite young adult books about mental health.

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By Nic Stone

I was 14 years old when I experienced my first mental health crisis. Things were tricky at home, and I was deeply overwhelmed with emotions that I didn’t have the space or language to express. As a result, I developed an anxiety disorder. Anxiety begot depression, and there came a night when I just didn’t want to deal anymore.

I’m still here, obviously, and I’m thankful. I’m also thankful that I’ve since learned the terms I used above — “anxiety disorder” and “depression” — and am able to apply them both in hindsight. However, at 14, when I most needed to understand what was going on with me, I lacked access to the information that would have been helpful.

Fortunately times have changed, and as a society, we’ve gotten better at acknowledging, discussing and providing resources for those struggling with their mental well-being. But even still, grappling with one’s mental health can feel confusing and isolating.

Which is where books come in. Fiction gives teens — and the adults who love and care for them — insight into the experience of mental health challenges. It can help teens learn more about what they’re dealing with; it can reveal the personal elements of what may otherwise seem clinical; it can help teens who are struggling feel less alone.

If you’re looking for a book to open up conversations about teen mental health, here are six powerful and deeply human young adult novels that I couldn’t recommend more highly.

We Are All So Good at Smiling , by Amber McBride

This gorgeous novel in verse opens with a very harsh reality: Whimsy, a Black teenager, is being hospitalized for suicidal ideation. Then the story takes a magical realist turn, depicting Whimsy’s recovery as a journey into a fairy-tale garden to help a Fae friend. It’s through this fanciful framing that McBride shares visceral insights into the experience of deep clinical depression. As a person living with major depressive disorder, I found reading this beautiful book to be one of the most validating experiences of my life.

Highly Illogical Behavior , by John Corey Whaley

“Highly Illogical Behavior” peeks into the life of an agoraphobic teenager, Solomon Reed, who hasn’t left his house in three years. But Solomon’s world is flipped when a girl decides she’s going to come in . This novel helped me better understand my own fear of, well, being afraid. The book also takes a searing look at how relationships impact mental stability or instability, and raises the idea that it’s possible to do more harm than good when trying to “help” someone with a psychiatric disorder.

The Weight of Our Sky , by Hanna Alkaf

Set during the 1969 race riots in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this novel follows a young woman dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder as she searches for her mother amid social and political strife. All the elements of this book — from the plotting to the voice to the masterly use of figurative language to the specific historical lens — come together to form a smart and sharp story about a mind overrun by intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts.

Challenger Deep , by Neal Shusterman, illustrated by Brendan Shusterman

Schizoaffective disorder is one of the most deeply misunderstood and mischaracterized mental illnesses. Which makes this masterwork — about a high school student named Caden’s psychotic break, which he experiences as a descent into the deepest part of the ocean — not only a must-read, but a must-read-repeatedly. The author is open about his son Brendan (who illustrated the book) inspiring the novel , and that familial care and compassion comes through these pages. This book will work itself into your bones and leave you forever changed.

Wintergirls , by Laurie Halse Anderson

This novel follows a young woman named Lia who is working through an intense struggle with mental illness and self-harm after she loses her best friend to anorexia, an eating disorder she’s also struggling to overcome. “Wintergirls” thoughtfully examines the psychological underpinnings that lead to extreme food control, while also highlighting its dangers — this book never glorifies diet culture or disordered eating. Additionally, the writing is chock-full of beautiful figurative language and pulls no punches when it comes to the narrator’s sense of urgency. This novel is near impossible to put down.

Anger Is a Gift , by Mark Oshiro

This is one of my favorite Y.A. books of all time. The novel follows Moss, a gay Black teenage boy who develops recurring panic attacks following the death, and the subsequent widespread victim-blaming, of his father after he’s killed by a police officer. This is a gem that shows both the impact of extreme anxiety after a tragedy and also the power of getting acquainted with, and leaning into, our emotions as fuel for bringing about change.

Nic Stone is the author of several young adult novels, including “Dear Martin” and “Odd One Out.” Her latest book is “Chaos Theory.”

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100 Must-Read Books about Mental Illness

Sarah S. Davis

Sarah S. Davis holds a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's of Library Science from Clarion University, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sarah has also written for Electric Literature, Kirkus Reviews, Audible, Psych Central, and more. Sarah is the founder of Broke By Books blog and runs a tarot reading business, Divination Vibration . Twitter: @missbookgoddess Instagram: @Sarahbookgoddess

View All posts by Sarah S. Davis

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a great time to explore the many writers who write on diverse topics related to mental health and mental illness. The following list of books about mental illness contains fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, memoirs, biographies, and more, all books that broaden our understanding of mental illness from first hand and second hand experiences. Whether it’s May or the other eleven months, reading books about mental illness can lead to greater awareness of how these invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses can affect our lives firsthand. 

What books about mental illness do you recommend?

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The 25 top self-help books for personal growth, the greatest self-help books of all time, top self-help books for women, top self-help books for men, top self-help books for non-binary people.

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Author James Clear presents his book, "Atomic Habits" during Workplace Summit, Pennsylvania ... [+] Conference For Women 2019. "Habits" is one of the best self-help books.

Self-help books provide the guidance and even the road map for accomplishing things we may dream of but lack the confidence to achieve. The best self-growth books are accessible, encouraging and feature a compelling story that pulls together the inspiring words. Self-improvement and self-development books remain staples on bestseller lists for good reason. They can help you change your life, but more than that—they help you believe the change can happen, which is often half the battle. This list of top personal development books includes authors of all different backgrounds, advising on a range of topics, from financial well-being to overcoming trauma.

Self-help books assist people with improving their lives. They offer strategies from experts who have often struggled with the problem they’re addressing and found ways to overcome it. The approach often includes raising self-awareness and using techniques for greater productivity and assertiveness.

What is the difference between self-help books, personal growth books and self-development books? Self-help books cover the entire genre of books dedicated to self-improvement, and the other two fall under that umbrella. Personal growth books focus on becoming more self-aware and addressing the attitude and behaviors that underly obstacles to improvement. Self-development, on the other hand, is more about the actions that lead to self-improvement. This list of the 25 best self-help books includes personal growth and self-development books.

The best self-help books feature insights on a variety of skills and topic areas.

25. Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans by Jenny Wang (2022)

Jenny Wang’s Permission to Come Home examines how Asian American and immigrant identities can play into mental health. She uses personal stories of strength and pain to illustrate impressive instances of resilience. The author also pokes holes in narratives that discourage Asian Americans from taking up space.

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This book is best for those who want to work on their mental health while gazing through a cultural lens. Jenny Wang ’s Permission to Come Home is available from publisher Hachette Book Group .

24. Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included) by Pooja Lakshmin (2023)

Actual self-care isn’t about hitting the spa or sweating out the toxins. Pooja Lakshmin both takes down myths perpetuated by the wellness industry and explains how the self-care culture can actually damage women’s psyches by convincing them a pretty day planner will solve all their problems.

This book is best for women who are tired of being told they can fix their problems with a bubble bath. Pooja Lakshmin ’s Real Self-Care is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

23. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia with Bill Gifford (2023)

In this Bloomberg and Economist Book of the Year, the authors cull the best scientific research to offer cutting-edge advice on nutrition, exercise and sleep designed to optimize life expectancy. They also look at the role mental health plays in longevity.

This book is best for those open to considering ways to combat aging that go beyond mainstream medicine. Peter Attia and Bill Gifford’s Outlive is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

Peter Attia and Bill Gifford's top self-help book "Outlive" explores the secrets of longevity.

22. For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez (2021)

Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, creator of Latina Rebels, makes a space for women of color to free themselves from the narratives that enforce racism, classism and other dangerous -isms that can lead to damaging thoughts. Instead, she encourages feelings of pride and sisterhood as a means to empowerment.

This book is best for women of color who want to overcome self-doubt and struggle with imposter syndrome. Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez ’s For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts is available from publisher Hachette Book Group .

21. You Owe You: Ignite Your Power, Your Purpose, and Your Why by Eric Thomas (2022)

Eric Thomas uses his own story, of going from an unhoused young Black man to becoming a successful businessman and speaker, to inspire others to do the same. He advocates for writing your own narrative and not waiting for inspiration to strike before you make improvements.

This book is best for anyone who feels stuck and uninspired. Eric Thomas ’s You Owe You is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

20. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell (2005)

According to Malcolm Gladwell, the decisions we make in the “blink” of an eye are actually way more complex than we believe. He examines how greatness can stem from quick decision-making and how historical events play into that interpretation.

This book is best for fans of The Tipping Point or anyone who overthinks their decisions. Malcolm Gladwell ’s Blink is available from publisher Hachette Book Group .

Author Malcolm Gladwell has penned a number of bestsellers, including "Blink," one of the top ... [+] self-help books.

19. How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis (2022)

Do you feel guilty about your messy home? When young mother KC Davis struggled with housekeeping, she eventually realized that having a messy home didn’t make her a bad person. She helps others navigating similar situations by teaching self-compassion and affirmation, especially for those struggling with bigger matters.

This book is best for anyone who has ever felt judged by the pile of dishes in the sink. KC Davis ’s How to Keep House While Drowning is available from publisher Simon & Schuster .

18. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz (2016)

Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss learned principles that can help you become more persuasive. When you approach every situation as a negotiation, you get more out of life and achieve results you never even dreamed of.

This book is best for those who lack confidence when standing up for themselves. Chris Voss and Tahl Raz ’s Never Split the Difference is available from publisher HarperCollins .

17. Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day by Kaitlin B. Curtice (2023)

Resistance is not just a form of protest or act of rebellion. Kaitlin B. Curtice argues resistance should be at the center of everything, and we can pull together by resisting. She also teaches ways to get more in touch with yourself and your ancestors, fostering deeper connections.

This book is best for those who value connections created through nature. Kaitlin B. Curtice ’s Living Resistance is available from publisher Baker Publishing .

16. The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by Katherine Morgan Schafler (2023)

What if perfectionism wasn’t a flaw but rather a superpower? Katherine Morgan Schafler reclaims the label and argues that women can make their own unique form of perfectionism work for them instead of against them.

This book is best for anyone who’s ever rolled their eyes after being told they should “find balance.” Katherine Morgan Schafler ’s The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

15. Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives by Lori Gottlieb (2019)

Named a best book of the year by everyone from O, the Oprah Magazine to People magazine, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone has a unique premise: Therapist Lori Gottleib lands in therapy herself after a trauma. She finds that her patients’ troubles overlap with her own more than expected and outlines paths forward.

This book is best for people who like more of a conventional narrative to their top self-help books. Lori Gottlieb ’s Maybe You Should Talk To Someone is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

Lori Gottlieb is the author of several books, including "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone," a top ... [+] self-growth book.

14. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab (2021)

In this New York Times bestseller, Nedra Glover Tawwab teaches readers how to set boundaries, which are necessary for even the healthiest of relationships. Her techniques guide readers through stating their wants and needs without apologizing for them.

This book is best for those who struggle to say no or to advocate for themselves. Nedra Glover Tawwab ’s Set Boundaries, Find Peace is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

13. Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1841)

Granted, this is more of an essay than a full-fledged book, but Ralph Waldo Emerson’s 19 th -century entry among the best self-help books still rings true. The author urges readers to home in on their internal voice and believe in themselves, arguing that others’ opinions ultimately don’t matter.

This book is best for people who find traditional self-help books too new agey and want something more straightforward. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance is available from your local library or for free on many e-book platforms.

Raymond Emerson poses with a statue of his great-great-great grandfather, Ralph Waldo Emerson, ... [+] author of "Self-Reliance," in the home dedicated to him in Concord, Massachusetts.

12. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski (2019)

Women experience burnout differently than men, and it’s often caused by unrealistic expectations placed on them by society. The Nagosakis explain the societal attitudes that can cause burnout and lay out new and unexpected ways to navigate it.

This book is best for women who feel burned out or who wonder why burnout happens. Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski ’s Burnout is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

11. How We Learn: Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now by Stanislas Dehaene (2020)

The human brain is pretty amazing, as this book posits. It argues ways in which we could take better advantage of our brain power, exploring its capabilities from a neurobiology, cognitive psychology and computer science perspective.

This book is best for people who like hard science and want to harness more brain power. Stanislas Dehaene’s How We Learn is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

10. Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma by Mariel Buqué (2024)

Part scientific research tome, part stories from the therapy room and part how-to manual, Break the Cycle balances showing and telling readers how they can stop the cycle of trauma and pass on strength instead of pain to the generations below them.

This book is best for those who want to know more about the physical manifestations of trauma. Mariel Buqué ’s Break the Cycle is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

9. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker (2017)

Sleep plays a role in everyone’s lives, but neuroscientist Matthew Walker argues that we don’t really understand its importance or know how to harness its healing power. He explores the purpose of sleep and how it boosts our brain to its full capabilities.

This book is best for anyone who doesn’t get enough sleep and wants incentives to make a change. Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep is available from publisher Simon & Schuster .

8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey (2004)

For two decades, this book detailing the most productive, most important skills for success has bounced on and off the bestseller list, and for good reason. Stephen R. Covey lays out simple, straightforward tips for solving problems, such as “be proactive” and “don’t be a victim.”

This book is best for anyone who wants to improve their effectiveness at work or home. Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is available from publisher Simon & Schuster .

Stephen R. Covey, author of top self-help book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," delivers a ... [+] speech.

7. Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams (2019)

Stacey Abrams is an inspiring leader, but she has always been outside the circles of power as a Black woman and a Democrat in conservative Georgia. She details the lessons she’s learned from examining her own passion and putting it to work for her, no matter how many barriers stand in her way.

This book is best for those who feel marginalized or lack power. Stacey Abrams ’s Lead from the Outside is available from publisher Macmillan .

Stacey Abrams drew on her experience as a politician to write her self-help book, "Lead From the ... [+] Outside."

6. Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche (2021)

Financial literacy is a lifeskill, and Tiffany Aliche’s no-nonsense approach to finding peace and safety with your money is transformative. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling book outlines a 10-step plan to reach financial security.

This book is best for anyone who feels shaky about their money skills or wants to plan better for retirement. Tiffany Aliche ’s Get Good with Money is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

5. Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff (2015)

Self-criticism can derail everything from getting ahead at work to going to the gym. Kristin Neff argues that self-compassion, not building self-esteem, will help you through any emotional struggle, whether it’s impacting a weight loss journey, promotion or parenting.

This book is best for those wracked by self-doubt. Kristin Neff ’s Self-Compassion is available from publisher HarperCollins .

4. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to Be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim (2017)

Does anyone not feel busy? The answer is probably no, but being busy shouldn’t stop you from setting a slow pace sometimes. Haemin Sunim argues that you gain spiritual strength by taking a slower approach to life.

This book is best for those who feel like they’re drowning in to-dos. Haemin Sunim ’s The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

3. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown (2018)

One of the true celebrities of the self-help world, Brené Brown has penned a slew of bestselling self-growth books, and this one is arguably her best. It argues that true leadership is recognizing the power and promise of others and helping put it into action. It’s not about having all the answers.

This book is best for anyone who wants to develop greater empathy. Brené Brown ’ s Dare to Lead is available from publisher Random House .

Self-help author Brené Brown speaks onstage during 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative ... [+] Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on January 20, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (1992)

It’s rare to see such enduring relevance from a self-help book, since science and therapeutic best practices advance every day. But Julia Cameron’s gentle guidance and advice on how to start your creative journey remains just as compelling today as it was 30+ years ago, offering concrete ways to explore your own art.

This book is best for wannabe artists, writers and other creatives. Julia Cameron ’ s The Artist’s Way is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

1. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear (2018)

Building on habits James Clear established first as a collegiate athlete and then when he went into business for himself, Atomic Habits lays out clear, concise paths of habit change, including breaking damaging patterns and establishing new, nourishing ones.

This book is best for anyone, really, as we can all benefit from changing at least one habit. James Clear ’s Atomic Habits is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

Bessel van der Kolk, author of one of the best self-help books for women, speaks at Darrell ... [+] Hammond's "Cracked Up" at IFC Center.

The best self-help books for women speak specifically to their experience, often detailing paths to self-forgiveness, tips for becoming part of important conversations, and guidance on parenting or “having it all.” Far from playing to stereotypes, these books address pain points we rarely talk about, highlighting important perspectives on taboo issues.

Self-Care for Latinas: 100+ Ways to Prioritize & Rejuvenate Your Mind, Body, & Spirit by Raquel Reichard (2023)

Putting your own mental and physical health first can be a challenge for women, particularly women of color. The book argues that self-care and self-prioritization are radical acts that lead to greater joy. It includes 100 exercises to help you choose yourself.

This book is best for Latina women frustrated by daily microaggressions. Raquel Reichard ’s Self-Care for Latinas is available from publisher Simon & Schuster .

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk (2015)

Overcoming trauma is a large part of the self-help scope, and Bessel van der Kolk’s book argues everyone must cope with it. He shares ways trauma has rewired our brains and explains how techniques such as neurofeedback, play and even yoga can help us recover.

This book is best for women struggling with past or recurring trauma. Bessel van der Kolk ’s The Body Keeps the Score is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (1996)

Another “oldie but goodie,” Women Who Run with the Wolves argues there’s a wild woman within every female, but society tries to silence her. The book explains how to reach a homeostasis where the wild female is acknowledged and encouraged in our modern world.

This book is best for women who feel squeezed by societal expectations. Clarissa Pinkola Estés ’s Women Who Run with the Wolves is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

Self-help author David Goggins, a U.S. Navy Seal, faces Mt. Whitney and the last 13 miles (21kms) of ... [+] the 135-mile Kiehl Badwater Ultramarathon, putting his advice into action.

The best self-help books for men explore mental and physical health as well as financial well-being. Many authors focus on advice versus unpacking what’s behind the problem. Men’s self-help books tend to break stereotypes that men only care about being perceived as strong and capable.

The Way of Men by Jack Donovan (2012)

What is masculinity, and why does it matter? Jack Donovan’s innovative exploration of perceptions of manhood and whether masculinity is in crisis is a compelling page-turner.

This book is best for men who want to explore masculinity’s roots. Jack Donovan ’s The Way of Men is available through his website .

Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins (2018)

David Goggins went from overweight teen to the only man to ever complete training for Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, so clearly he has a lot to teach. He argues that we only use 40% of our capabilities and shows a way to tap more of our potential.

This book is best for men who want an inspiring, accomplished mentor. David Goggins ’s Can't Hurt Me is available from publisher Lioncrest Publishing .

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven (2017)

Navy SEAL Admiral William H. McRaven’s viral commencement address at the University of Texas prompted this book, which details basic lessons that seem simple but can help you overcome the biggest problems in life.

This book is best for men dealing with hardship. William H. McRaven’s Make Your Bed is available from publisher Hachette Publishing Group .

Alok Vaid-Menon wrote one of the top self-help books for non-binary people.

In recent years, a new group of self-growth books have emerged for nonbinary people, those whose gender identity does not align with male or female. It can be reassuring to read other people’s insights and advice about coming out, navigating life as a trans person, and finding joy.

The Book of Non-binary Joy: Embracing the Power of You by Ben Pechey and Sam Prentice (2022)

Written with love and humor, The Book of Non-binary Joy encourages those exploring their gender identity to live as their authentic selves and answers a lot of questions about self-expression and coming to terms with your past self.

This book is best for those who’ve recently come out or are questioning their gender identity. Ben Pechey and Sam Prentice’s The Book of Non-binary Joy is available from publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishing .

Life Isn’t Binary: On Being Both, Beyond, and In-Between by Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker (2020)

The world isn’t black and white, whether that’s in matters of morality, ethics or gender. This smart, insightful book looks at how we view ourselves and why thinking in a non-binary matter, about gender and other topics, can be a beneficial mindset shift.

This book is best for those who want to know more about non-binary identity. Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker’s Life Isn’t Binary is available from publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishing .

Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon and illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky (2020)

Gender nonconforming artist Alok Vaid-Menon lives life in full color, in every respect of that phrase, and they encourage readers to do the same, including reconsidering their own assumptions about gender, no matter how “liberal” they may consider themselves.

This book is best for anyone who loves joyful self-help guides. Alok Vaid-Menon and Ashley Lukashevsky’s Beyond the Gender Binary is available from publisher Penguin Random House .

Bottom Line

Whether you are seeking a solution to a specific problem, or you just want to improve your life, the best self-growth books give you a place to start and a plan to follow. You can pick any one from this list and explore new paths in life.

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15 Books on Mental Health Every Person Should Read

Posted: March 24, 2024 | Last updated: March 24, 2024

Are you feeling lost or overwhelmed? Don’t just push through it. Acknowledging your feelings and emotions is the first step to getting better.

Mental health is not just for therapy sessions. Check out these books that tackle every aspect of mental health, from dealing with trauma to carving out a path for self-discovery.

The list offers a mix of practical advice, personal anecdotes, and scientific research, all designed to help you build resilience and face any mental health challenges head-on.

1. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma — Bessel Van Der Kolk

Trauma doesn’t just affect your psychology but also alters your brain’s wiring, impacting your ability to experience pleasure, connect with other people, and regulate your emotions. In this book, Dr. van der Kolk proposes innovative treatments as a way to address the physical and emotional impacts of trauma.

2. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone — Lori Gottlieb

What happens when a therapist finds herself on the other side of the counseling couch? This book chronicles the experiences of author Lori Gottlieb, both as a professional psychotherapist and a patient in therapy. As we navigate the author’s life experiences, we learn that we all have blind spots, and therapy helps us identify and address them.

3. Reasons to Stay Alive — Matt Haig

What does depression feel like, and is there a way out? In this book, Haig, a novelist, chronicles his battles with depression and anxiety and how he eventually found his way back to life. The book offers hope, encouragement, and practical advice to anyone who is dealing with depression.

4. Ten Times Calmer — Dr. Kirren Schnack

What if you had the perfect toolkit to deal with anxiety and trauma? In this book, Dr. Schnack teaches short anxiety-busting exercises to help you lead a calmer life. These well-researched and clinically proven tips are a great way to manage uncertainty and get more control over your life.

5. That Little Voice in Your Head — MO Gawdat

Gawdat uses his programming expertise and neuroscience knowledge to teach you how to retrain your brain for happiness. The idea is to identify your negative thoughts and beliefs and then replace them with positive thoughts by practicing compassion and gratitude. The book outlines exercises you can use to reshape your mental processes.

6. Heartsick — Jessie Stephens

We’ve all had our hearts broken at one time or another. So, how do you deal with the emotional and mental toll of heartbreak? Stephens looks deeper at love and loss, highlighting grief’s lows and unexpected highs. The book chronicles three true stories, beautifully articulating the dynamics of loss and bouncing back in its aftermath.

7. On Agoraphobia — Graham Caveney

Agoraphobia can be crippling, making all kinds of social interactions very challenging. Graham takes a deeper look at the origins and manifestations of his agoraphobia as he takes the reader on a journey that helps them understand the condition better. Graham also discusses strategies that helped him overcome his fear and gain freedom.

8. Set Boundaries, Find Peace — Nedra Glover Tawwab

We all know boundaries are important for our mental health. But how do you set healthy boundaries without hurting anyone? Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed counselor, relationship expert, and influential therapist, teaches you how to assert your needs without damaging relationships.

9. Burnout — Emily Nagoski, ph.d. And Amelia Nagoski, Dma

Women experience burnout differently and need to deal with it differently. Sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski use evidence-backed strategies to help women recognize what causes burnout, minimize stress, and manage their emotions. The practical tips offered in this book teach women how to fight against what the world throws their way and win.

10. Love Poems for Anxious People — John Kenney

Sometimes, the best way to deal with the stresses of life is with a little humor. John Kenney has compiled a collection of poems that look at the sometimes chaotic situations of life through a humorous lens. From awkward social interactions to nervous tics, these lighthearted poems comfort and validate people dealing with anxiety.

11. You’re Going to Be Okay — Madeline Popelka

Survivors of devastating circumstances may struggle for a long time to cope with their experiences. As a survivor herself, Popelka dives deep into her struggles and discusses what helped her return to life. This book is about finding resilience and strength in the face of challenges and becoming stronger.

12. Turtles All the Way Down — John Green

This book is a work of fiction, but its emotions are real enough. Aza, a 16-year-old girl, deals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) centered around intrusive thoughts and fear of germs. The author doesn’t shy away from authentically portraying OCD and its crippling effects but also showcases the healing power of friendship.

13. The Colour of Madness — Samara Linton and Rianna Walcott

This book explores the detrimental psychological effects of racism and micro-aggressions that people of color face every day. It is a collection of stories, essays, poems, short fiction, and artwork, featuring contributions from over 70 people of color. The book highlights the relationship between racial, cultural, and religious bias and mental health.

14. Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor E. Frankl

Frankl was a psychiatrist who survived Nazi concentration camps during World War II. This timeless classic chronicles Frankl’s time in the concentration camps and how there might be a way to find meaning in life, even in suffering. His strategies in this book have influenced psychotherapy and helped many people find solace and peace.

15. Untamed — Glennon Doyle

We are born into society’s metaphorical molds, which tell us who we are, how we should act, what we should feel, and who we should love. Doyle teaches us to break free of these molds and embrace our true selves. This memoir, which reads like a self-help book, chronicles Doyle’s journey of self-discovery. It is both an inspiration and a blueprint for living our truth.

18 Life Lessons Many Wish They’d Learned Earlier in Life

As Gen X journey through the ever-changing landscapes of work, relationships, and personal growth, they’ve gained insights they wish to impart to their younger selves. These life lessons are not only reflective of their generation but also universally relevant. Let’s delve into 18 profound lessons that Gen Xers hope to share with the next generation.

18 Startling Life Lessons Threatening Our Kids’ Futures

Raising kids is like building IKEA furniture without a manual: all those mysterious parts and no idea where they go. We’ve been making some assembly errors regarding the life lessons we’ve been handing down. So, grab your metaphorical Allen wrench! It’s time to tweak, twist, and retighten those wonky lessons we’re dishing out to our future adults.

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Forensic psychiatrist on physical signs of Trump's mental decline: "Changes in movement and gait"

"his walk appears wide-based," dr. elisabeth zoffmann notes of trump. "he has developed a swing of his right leg.", by chauncey devega.

Donald Trump’s obvious public challenges with speech, language, and thinking are continuing to get worse. At a recent rally in Ohio, the former president  continued to act like a broken computer , going off on odd tangents, rambling, muddling his speech, and saying, “Joe Biden won against Barack Hussein Obama, has anyone ever heard of him? Every swing state, Biden beat Obama but in every other state, he got killed.”

This is not an example of one so-called gaffe or misstatement but rather part of a much larger pattern where Donald Trump confuses people and time. Experts have empirically shown such behavior likely indicates some type of brain disease. Dr. John Gartner , a prominent psychologist and contributor to the bestselling book "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President," has repeatedly warned in a series of conversations about Trump’s apparent challenges in cognition and communication that something seems to be very wrong with the ex-president:

Not enough people are sounding the alarm, that based on his behavior, and in my opinion, Donald Trump is dangerously demented. In fact, we are seeing the opposite among too many in the news media, the political leaders and among the public. There is also this focus on Biden's gaffes or other things that are well within the normal limits of aging. By comparison, Trump appears to be showing gross signs of dementia. This is a tale of two brains. Biden's brain is aging. Trump's brain is dementing.

Dr. Gartner’s attempts to sound the alarm about Trump’s behavior have been joined by the hundreds of medical professionals who have signed his Change.org petition , “We diagnose Trump with probable dementia: A petition for licensed professionals only.”

To deny the obvious about Donald Trump’s evidently diseased mind is to deny reality and to ignore the real possibility that a man who is already morally and ethically corrupt and now appears to be experiencing problems with his thinking could be back in the White House with the awesome responsibility and power of the presidency – including the sole authority to order the use of America’s nuclear weapons. Trump’s mind and overall behavior and character are not just a national emergency but a global crisis as well.

Because of a commitment to horserace journalism, fake objectivity and balance, self-interest and fear, the mainstream American news media – especially the elite agenda-setting news media – has largely ignored Donald Trump’s obvious struggles with communication and cognition. The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin is a notable exception .

"His walk appears wide-based and he has developed a swing of his right leg. He appears glued to the floor when he “dances” for his audience. If caught on camera standing still, he appears unnaturally immobile."

In an attempt to better understand what we are witnessing with Donald Trump’s behavior, I recently spoke with Dr. Elisabeth Zoffmann, a forensic psychiatrist and an Associate Clinical Professor of Forensic and General Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Zoffmann shares her evidence-based preliminary conclusion that Donald Trump is displaying a range of behaviors that suggest cognitive challenges if not impairment. The former president appears to be suffering from Behavioral Variant Fronto-Temporal Dementia, Dr. Zoffmann concludes, and needs to be evaluated by neurologists who specialize in the condition.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity : 

What do you see when you look at Donald Trump through a clinical lens?

My observations are garnered from viewing the phenomenon of Mr. Trump for the past decade. Also, observations from viewing old videotape interviews and coverage of Mr. Trump as a younger man form part of my impression that Mr. Trump might benefit from a thorough evaluation by a neuropsychiatrist with expertise in neurodegenerative disorders.  My observations are as follows:

• Changes in speech patterns with many fewer and simpler words (decline in vocabulary) with fewer adjectives and adverbs.
• A decline in cognitive focus on speech subjects with incomplete sentences and an inability to focus on a topic long enough to complete a sentence when not reading from a teleprompter.
• Difficulty pronouncing words, word substitution and nonsense words – known as paraphasia
• Tangential thinking where the topic switches mid-sentence to some unrelated topic.
• Frequent repetition of words and phrases as if his mind is stuck in a loop.
• Disinhibition and an inability to control verbal outbursts.
• Socially inappropriate behavior – mocking a man with muscular dystrophy, disrespecting fallen soldiers as losers.
• Lack of self-awareness in that he apparently cannot see how inappropriate his behavior has become and use his judgment to stop himself.
• Changes in movement and gait. His walk appears wide-based and he has developed a swing of his right leg. He appears glued to the floor when he “dances” for his audience. If caught on camera standing still, he appears unnaturally immobile.
• The changes in judgment and impulse control have uncovered and perhaps worsened underlying personality traits that others have characterized as narcissistic and antisocial. The changes have led some experts to suggest a diagnosis of “malignant narcissism."

Mr. Trump has stated that he passed a cognitive that he described in terms that suggested either the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale. These are both simple screening tests for suspicions of Alzheimer’s Disease.

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My clinical experience and these collected observations are congruent with the diagnostic criteria for Behavioral Variant Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD). People presenting with such a cluster of observations should undergo expert assessment. This diagnosis is often largely based on external observations and collateral reporting from others close to the person. Early in the disease, the individual may be aware of changes, but as frontal lobe deterioration progresses the capacity for self-awareness diminishes. Unlike Alzheimer’s Disease, people with FTD have intact short-term memory and can easily score full points on screening tests like the MMSE and MOCA.

Is a person with FTD inherently dangerous?

When social awareness is deteriorating the sufferers may become irritable with caregivers. In Mr. Trump’s case, the overall picture is consistent with Behavioral Variable Fronto-Temporal Dementia (with the caveats mentioned about needing a thorough evaluation including an MRI brain scan.) The associated disinhibition exposes unfortunate aspects of his personality and worldview where he repeatedly dehumanizes anyone he sees as “the other." His repeated statements dehumanizing migrants and exaggerating their numbers and suggesting they are all killers is a good example. This meme has caught on with his supporters and in situations of mass-thinking they may pose a danger to migrants seeking refuge.

"My clinical experience and these collected observations are congruent with the diagnostic criteria for Behavioral Variant Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD)."

Mr. Trump’s memes seem to resonate with a stratum of American society that feels disaffected and maligned in a rapidly changing world. Being blinded to new information and new ways of experiencing scientific discovery poses a risk for those people – for example, anti-vaccine people frequently dying of COVID-19 when they could have vaccines.

People often conflate dementia and Alzheimer’s. Can you please clarify?

Dementia is a catch-all term for a number of recognized neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body Disease, Multi-infarct Dementia, Pick’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Primary Progressive Aphasia variant Fronto-temporal Dementia and Behavioral Variant Fronto-temporal Dementia.

In reading and hearing the comments of other observers and experts I am reminded of the fable of Five Blind Men trying to describe an elephant. One has the tail, others have the trunk, tusk, legs, and ears and all give a version of what they have observed. One cannot get a complete picture of the elephant without combining all of the observations. In the various interviews and comments from other experts, I recognize all the criteria I set out from my observations of Mr. Trump. I think we get a clearer picture if we combine all these observations.

When you were first approached about making a public statement about Trump's apparent neurological challenges you were reluctant to speak “on the record.” What changed your mind?

I am an older, semi-retired, female psychiatrist though during my career, I was (and still am) a respected Forensic Psychiatrist and an Associate Clinical Professor of Forensic and General Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. I have observed through my career that opinions expressed by female experts are not taken as seriously as those posed by male experts even though they are lying through their teeth. There are ample scientific studies with mock juries that support these observations.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter , Crash Course.

However, seeing that I am but one of many experts expressing similar opinions I am assured that my observations are not spurious and that I can contribute to a dispassionate process collating all our observations into a cohesive whole.

The American mainstream news media is fixated on the narrative of President Biden’s mental competence and suggest that he is as impaired as Trump. What are your observations?

I have not had the same opportunities to observe President Biden the way I have followed the fascinating American political events unwinding over the past 9 – 10 years. I have seen President Biden in videos describing his lifelong problems with stuttering. I have also seen video of him encouraging youngsters with the same affliction. President Biden is an example of a person who has worked very hard to conquer his stutter so he can speak in public.

The most cogent example of President Biden’s cognitive abilities is his recent State of the Union Address. He spoke for 63 minutes, without a teleprompter during many points . There were no tangential digressions, no word-finding problems, his sentences and paragraphs were articulate, he was coherent, and there were no insults or other disinhibited behavior. At times he spoke slowly and purposefully and at other times he was passionate (not shouting). Throughout his speech, there were instances where his stutter caused him to start and pause but he was able to correct himself and not lose his train of thought.

In other instances, I observe President Biden speaking more slowly and purposefully. That may be a sign of thoughtfulness, attempts to control stutter or needing to take more time to gather his thoughts. Whatever else is going on his responses are coherent and socially appropriate.

If Donald Trump is found to suffer from FTD will his condition stabilize or improve?

FTD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive deterioration and early death. Once again, I caution that my observations combined with those of other experts should lead to a thorough assessment by a neuropsychiatrist expert in the diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative disorders.

about this topic

• Trump's love letters to MAGA: Campaign emails forge a cult bond
• "Obviously low IQ": Former DHS official says "Donald Trump has apparent repeated memory lapses"
• "They’ve told me he’s Jesus": Unpacking Trump's empty pseudo-religion

Chauncey DeVega is a senior politics writer for Salon. His essays can also be found at  Chaunceydevega.com . He also hosts a weekly podcast,  The Chauncey DeVega Show . Chauncey can be followed on  Twitter  and  Facebook .

Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Related articles.

Social psychologist says kids shouldn’t have smartphones before high school

A social psychologist whose new book explores the reasons behind a sharp decline in kids' mental health says there are questions parents can ask themselves to help their kids.

Jonathan Haidt, the author of "Anxious Generation," said he encourages all parents to ask themselves, "'What did you love about your childhood? What are your best memories?"

The typical answer, he said, can help show parents the importance of getting their kids off technology and outside, interacting with in-person with other kids.

"It's being outside with other kids playing. You make up the rules. You are having fun. That's nature's way of having mammals wire up their brains," Haidt said Tuesday on " Good Morning America ." "Kids need play and independence if they're going to become healthy, happy, and independent adults."

Haidt said he wrote "Anxious Generation" to explore why, after years of stability, the levels of mental illness in kids began to spike starting in 2012 and 2013, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide.

The primary reason for the increase, Haidt said he found, is the growing use of smartphones.

MORE: Teacher urges parents to 'wake up' when it comes to kids' social media use

Haidt writes in the book that Gen Z, the generation of people born in 1997 and onward, is an experiment of what happens when young people have full access to smartphones.

"Millennials went through puberty with flip phones, and flip phones aren't particularly bad. You use them just to communicate," Haidt said. "It was when we gave kids smartphones and then right around that time, they also got ... social media accounts. When kids move their social lives onto social media like that, it's not human. It doesn't help them develop. And right away, mental health collapses."

Editor’s Picks

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs restrictive social media bill

• Mar 26, 2024

Penélope Cruz explains why her kids don’t have social media

• Jan 18, 2024

American Psychological Association issues advisory for teens and social media

• May 10, 2023

Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy issued an advisory warning of an urgent public health issue regarding social media usage and youth mental health.

Around the same time, the American Psychological Association issued first-of-its-kind guidance to ensure that teens get the proper training on how to use social media safely. The guidance is primarily directed toward parents and formalizes prior recommendations around social media use, including setting time limits, family discussions about social media, and parental monitoring.

On Monday, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds, according to The Associated Press .

Most social media sites currently require users to be 13-years-old. In most cases, social media sites require people to enter their birth dates in order to sign up as users.

In other states, including Connecticut, some schools are testing bans on smartphones at schools in order to help keep students more engaged and cut down on bullying.

Haidt said for individual parents, trying to keep a child from using a smartphone or being on social media can feel like trying to "hold back the tide."

"We're having trouble because we don't want to be the only one who doesn't give our kid a phone," Haidt said of parents.

MORE: Connecticut schools testing smartphone ban

As a result, Haidt said he is proposing making four guidelines on phone and social media usage as "norms" across the country.

1. No smartphones before high school . Haidt suggests giving kids flip phones before high school so they can still stay connected for safety purposes.

2. No social media before age 16 .

3. Phone-free schools . Haidt recommends asking school officials for options like lockers for students' phones.

4. More free play and responsibility in the real world .

Overall, Haidt emphasized again the need for kids to simply play, whether it's in their backyard, at a local park, or on a school playground.

"What kids really need to be doing is playing," he said. "We're mammals. This is what all mammals do. Anyone who has had a puppy or a kitten, they want to play all the time, and so do toddlers, young children, even teenagers."

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Social psychologist says kids shouldn’t have smartphones before high school

Jonathan Haidt is the author of a new book on kids and mental health.

A social psychologist whose new book explores the reasons behind a sharp decline in kids' mental health says there are questions parents can ask themselves to help their kids.

Jonathan Haidt, the author of "Anxious Generation," said he encourages all parents to ask themselves, "'What did you love about your childhood? What are your best memories?"

The typical answer, he said, can help show parents the importance of getting their kids off technology and outside, interacting with in-person with other kids.

"It's being outside with other kids playing. You make up the rules. You are having fun. That's nature's way of having mammals wire up their brains," Haidt said Tuesday on " Good Morning America ." "Kids need play and independence if they're going to become healthy, happy, and independent adults."

Haidt said he wrote "Anxious Generation" to explore why, after years of stability, the levels of mental illness in kids began to spike starting in 2012 and 2013, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide.

The primary reason for the increase, Haidt said he found, is the growing use of smartphones.

MORE: Teacher urges parents to 'wake up' when it comes to kids' social media use

Haidt writes in the book that Gen Z, the generation of people born in 1997 and onward, is an experiment of what happens when young people have full access to smartphones.

"Millennials went through puberty with flip phones, and flip phones aren't particularly bad. You use them just to communicate," Haidt said. "It was when we gave kids smartphones and then right around that time, they also got ... social media accounts. When kids move their social lives onto social media like that, it's not human. It doesn't help them develop. And right away, mental health collapses."

Editor’s Picks

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs restrictive social media bill

Penélope Cruz explains why her kids don’t have social media

American Psychological Association issues advisory for teens and social media

Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy issued an advisory warning of an urgent public health issue regarding social media usage and youth mental health.

Around the same time, the American Psychological Association issued first-of-its-kind guidance to ensure that teens get the proper training on how to use social media safely. The guidance is primarily directed toward parents and formalizes prior recommendations around social media use, including setting time limits, family discussions about social media, and parental monitoring.

On Monday, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds, according to The Associated Press .

Most social media sites currently require users to be 13-years-old. In most cases, social media sites require people to enter their birth dates in order to sign up as users.

In other states, including Connecticut, some schools are testing bans on smartphones at schools in order to help keep students more engaged and cut down on bullying.

Haidt said for individual parents, trying to keep a child from using a smartphone or being on social media can feel like trying to "hold back the tide."

"We're having trouble because we don't want to be the only one who doesn't give our kid a phone," Haidt said of parents.

MORE: Connecticut schools testing smartphone ban

As a result, Haidt said he is proposing making four guidelines on phone and social media usage as "norms" across the country.

1. No smartphones before high school . Haidt suggests giving kids flip phones before high school so they can still stay connected for safety purposes.

2. No social media before age 16 .

3. Phone-free schools . Haidt recommends asking school officials for options like lockers for students' phones.

4. More free play and responsibility in the real world .

Overall, Haidt emphasized again the need for kids to simply play, whether it's in their backyard, at a local park, or on a school playground.

"What kids really need to be doing is playing," he said. "We're mammals. This is what all mammals do. Anyone who has had a puppy or a kitten, they want to play all the time, and so do toddlers, young children, even teenagers."

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29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal on Dec. 8.

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