Despite the massive prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders, many of us are still reluctant or unsure of how to reach out for help. These mental health issues are nothing new, but we’ve only recently begun to normalize open discussions about them.
When faced with mental health challenges, educating yourself with trusted resources is a must. This includes consulting therapists or medical professionals, but it would also help to invest in learning more about these conditions through books.
Best Books for Mental Health
Here we have compiled some of the best books on mental health to help equip you to deal with this very real problem.
1. Lost Connections by Johann Hari
Investigative journalist Johann Hari delves into the issue of depression and anxiety. He draws from his own experience with medication and interviews leading experts on the causes of anxiety and depression, as well as the different solutions scientists have discovered. Instead of depending on medication, he shows that social connections can offer tangible hope.
2. This Is Depression by Diane McIntosh
Dr. Diane McIntosh, a well-known and respected leader in the field of mood disorders, brings us this definitive guide to understand and overcome this isolating problem. Thankfully, she writes in a very accessible way, easily combining compassion with humor.
3. Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting by Terrie Williams
Successful PR-business owner Terrie Williams seemed to have it all, with clientele including the likes of Johnnie Cochran and Eddie Murphy—until she broke down with depression. From that experience, she writes this book specifically on the Black experience of depression, identifying the emotional pain that she believes is the root of many of the crimes and violence among her community.
4. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
This New York Times bestseller, which inspired a TV series on ABC, features thoughts and insights from psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb as she goes into the nitty gritty of her patients’ lives, whose questions she finds herself asking her own therapist. This book offers a unique look into both the doctor’s and the patient’s point of view.
5. Your Happiness Toolkit by Carrie Wrigley
If you’re looking for practical steps to help either yourself or someone you know through depression, this powerful guidebook contains almost all you need to know about how to heal from depression, as well as how to prevent it right from the get-go.
6. Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now by Jill Weber PhD
Discover easy, actionable steps for managing anxiety anytime, anywhere. Say goodbye to feeling helpless with your panic attacks, worrisome thoughts, and fight-flight-freeze behavior, as you learn how to handle your anxious thoughts whenever they strike using evidence-based tactics.
7. Own Your Anxiety: 99 Simple Ways to Channel Your Secret Edge by Julian Brass
Use these empowering tools to redirect your emotions of anxiety toward positive action. These can form the foundation for redefining your relationship with anxiety, transforming it from a debilitative burden to a facilitative gift.
8. Detox Your Thoughts by Andrea Bonior
Discover the top 10 prevalent mental health traps that cause people to feel insecure, anxious, and simply bad. Andrea Bonior’s more than 20 years of research and teaching on how your thinking affects your emotions and behavior will help you change your thoughts for the better.
9. Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser
This New York Times bestseller is written by the co-founder of Omega Institute, which has since become the largest center for personal growth and spiritual retreat in the world. Elizabeth Lesser effectively blends stories, anecdotes, practical tips, and personal experiences in this book that gives us the tools to make the right choices through challenging times.
10. Where is God When It Hurts by Philip Yancey
This inspirational classic takes an honest look at pain and suffering. How do we respond when tragic things happen, such as the death of a loved one, a terminal diagnosis, or other significant challenges that affect our lives?
11. Organize Your Emotions, Optimize Your Life by Margaret Moore
A Harvard Medical School professor and expert wellness coach bring us this revolutionary look at the basic emotional needs of every human being, and teach us to become healthier, calmer, and happier. This book combines the best of psychology, medical science, and self-help so you can learn to manage and control yourself for optimum results.
Reading Books on Mental Health
Reading trusted resources on mental health is a good way to expand your understanding, whether it’s you or someone you know who is battling with a debilitating condition. If you’re the one struggling, consider reading through some of these books, or sharing them with those closest to you to help them understand what you’re going through.
But remember, books can never be a substitute for professional help, so we recommend you seek the help you need as soon as possible.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
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- 9 Books About Failure That Will Get You Back On Your Feet
- How to Practice Mindfulness: A Beginner’s Guide
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
