10 Books to Read for Your Mental Health

Whether we are conscious of it or not, mental health affects every part of our lives. It influences our thoughts and emotions, directs our choices, and shapes our behaviour in social situations. A person’s physical and mental well-being are directly correlated; a person with poor mental health may be more prone to certain chronic physical problems.

As long as people have existed, mental diseases have existed as well. Fortunately, our culture is starting to realise how important it is to have these conversations and to show respect for the people in our lives who experience mental health difficulties.

A higher quality of life is correlated with increased psychological health. Numerous psychologists, therapists, and other mental health specialists have taken on the duty of advancing our understanding of mental health issues by writing books that cover anything from melancholy to everyday stressors.

The top books on mental health for enhanced well-being are listed below.

1. “This Is Depression” by Dr. Diane McIntosh

Psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh discusses her experiences working with patients diagnosed with depression over her 20 years of practice in ‘This is Depression‘. She walks readers through the various therapy choices available to them, the process of diagnosing depression, and the typical causes of depression.

Her perspective on the subject is not only supported by research, but it also offers real-world examples for anyone dealing with depression in their own life through the use of patient tales. Anyone dealing with depression in their lives, whether it be their own or that of a loved one, ought to read this book.

Price at time of publication: $18

2. “This Too Shall Pass” by Julia Samuel

Psychotherapist Julia Samuel illustrates how people respond to adversity in different ways through hours of talk with her patients. Her examination of the tales she recounts, supported by scholarly and medical research, illustrates in detail how, although each person’s experience with mental health varies, the importance of maintaining good mental health and well-thought-out coping strategies should not change.

Price at time of publication: $22

3. “Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting” by Terri Williams

Terri Williams, a writer and mental health advocate, is aware of the pain Black people face. Being one of them, she is aware of this. Williams tackles depression in Black Pain, a subject that is still taboo, particularly in the Black community.

Williams addresses emotional suffering and how it specifically impacts the Black experience through approachable conversations, empowering both men and women to get the support they require without feeling guilty.

Williams knows what it takes to truly accept your inner grief because she overworked herself as the CEO of a demanding public relations company and experienced depression firsthand. She reminds us that confronting our experiences head-on and working with others to find solutions makes us bold, not cowardly.

Price at time of publication: $19

4. “Own Your Self” by Kelly Brogan, MD

Although treating mental health illnesses with medicine is standard practice, holistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan, MD, provides alternatives in her book “Own Your Self.” She talks about how treating mental illness symptoms isn’t always necessary; sometimes, processing, accepting, and using non-medical means can help heal the symptoms.

She explains how to recognize variables, locate possibilities for transformational emotional experiences, and discover methods for internal mental healing, all supported by science. According to Dr. Brogan, people who prioritise self-care will experience improved mental clarity and a sharper mind.

Price at time of publication: $27

5. “We’ve Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health”

A collection of twenty-five stories and essays titled “We’ve Been Too Patient” depicts the terrible reality of many people who have received a mental health diagnosis. To dispel the stigmas that so readily envelop the mental health field, editors Kelechi Ubozoh (consultant and keynote speaker) and L.D. Green (advocacy and author) painstakingly selected anthologized accounts of personal experiences with mental health.

These accounts, though often difficult to read, provide insight into overmedication, electroconvulsive therapy, forced hospitalisation, and other horrific situations that can permanently change a person’s life. They dispel stigmas, educate readers, and give writers more authority by discussing the structural issues with mental health care.

Price at time of publication: $18

6. “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb

When therapist Lori Gottlieb found herself on the therapy couch following an event that left her shaken and disoriented, she had a taste of her own medicine. Despite having the training to become a doctor, her experiences have now turned her into a patient, allowing her to see and feel all sides of a therapy session.

She explores the facts and lies we all tell ourselves in her charming, funny tale of self-discovery, looking at the damage they may do if left unchecked. “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” will help you connect with others who are available to listen while also giving you a sense of being heard.

Price at time of publication: $28

7. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple” by Seth J. Gillihan, PhD

The 10 techniques in “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Made Simple” for enhancing people’s mental health elevate the idea of mindfulness to a new level. Author Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D., focuses on practical strategies that help people overcome their anxiety and depression, such as recognizing negative thoughts. Although every tool has extensive data supporting it, the book functions as an easy-to-read guide with tiny, straightforward stages that lead to success.

 Price at time of publication: $16

8. “Your Happiness Toolkit” by Carrie M. Wrigley, LCSW

For thirty years, Carrie Maxwell Wrigley, LCSW, has worked as a counsellor. Her work has mostly concentrated on offering doable solutions to people who are having mental health problems; “Your Happiness Toolkit” reflects this approach. It offers a basic explanation of what depression is and what either strengthens or weakens it.

She gives 16 self-help methods to assist people overcome their sadness and achieve happiness, along with a self-assessment approach to help them understand what kind of depression they may be experiencing. “Your Happiness Toolkit” is a resource for those dealing with psychiatric problems as well as family members attempting to support them.

Price at time of publication: $20

 9. “Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now” by Jill Weber PhD

Clinical psychologist Jill Weber, Ph.D., assists individuals from diverse backgrounds in coping with anxiety. “Be Calm” breaks down all of that information into three categories: ideas, behaviours, and feelings.

Every part focuses on the primary anxiety symptom that a person experiences and explains, coping mechanisms, and a route to inner peace. Whatever your circumstances, it’s simple to read, comprehend, and implement in your daily life.

Price at time of publication: $19

10. “Own Your Anxiety” by Julian Brass

Julian Brass is an anxiety coach whose work focuses on helping people become more empowered in the face of worry. “Own Your Anxiety” gives users methods that centre around motivation, constructive action, and what they can control.

Brass advises readers to consider their anxiety as a personal quality that can be cultivated, not hidden, rather than seeing it as a disorder to be embarrassed by. To give readers a resource that helps them live better, happier lives, he integrates medical knowledge with personal experiences.

Price at time of publication: $17

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

1. Why should I read a book about mental health?

Reading books about mental health has several advantages. For example, they can assist you in comprehending your prior experiences and how they have shaped who you are now.

Additionally, they can impart useful coping mechanisms for handling and reducing difficult emotions like tension, anxiety, rage, melancholy, and grief.

Lastly, reading books on mental health can help you extend your perspective, think differently, and generally feel better.

2. If I don’t have a mental health illness, can I still read a book about mental health issues?

Even if they haven’t received a formal diagnosis, anyone can read a book about mental health. The ultimate purpose of every mental health book available on the market is to help people improve their mental health because everyone can benefit from it.

According to research, having good mental health is associated with a greater standard of living, which includes increased academic success, tighter relationships, a fulfilling social life, and better productivity.

Sometimes you may find that you would be better off talking to a professional who can offer you a diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan, or who can assist you in working through more serious problems.

3. How can I read a book on mental health?

There isn’t a right or wrong method to read a book about mental health. We recommend thoroughly reading each page and keeping a journal close at hand for taking notes. (Despite our best efforts, occasionally our brains fail to recall what we read! One of the finest strategies to help us remember what we learn is to take handwritten notes.

It is also a fact that finishing a book might be challenging at times. It will be beneficial to select a book on mental health that is both engaging and easy to read. To help you remain on track, you may also try making a timetable where you read a specific number of pages each day or each week.