Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to Look forWhy Trust Verywell Mind

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What to Look for

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 certainchronic 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 healthmeans 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 fromdaily stresses to depression.

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

Press Play to Learn How Reading Impacts Your Mental HealthThis episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcastshares the ways in which reading can improve your mental health and well-being. Click below to listen now.

Press Play to Learn How Reading Impacts Your Mental Health

This episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcastshares the ways in which reading can improve your mental health and well-being. Click below to listen now.

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 throughcommon causes of depression, the diagnosis process for depression, and the many possible treatment options an individual may be prescribed.

Price at time of publication: $18

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

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.

Price at time of publication: $22

The 7 Best Self-Help Books to Change Your Life

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

The Best Mental Health Apps, Tried and Tested

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 withnon-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

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 atherapy 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

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 16self-help toolsthat 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

Price at time of publication: $16

How to Overcome Social Anxiety Disorder, According to Psychologists

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 findinginner calm. It’s easy to read, understand, and apply to your life, no matter what situation you find yourself in.

The Best Meditation Books and How to Use Them

Anxiety coach Julian Brass’ career has been spent guiding individuals toward empowerment in theface 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

Expert Insights

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.

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.

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.

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 Moeunderstands 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 theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat1-800-273-8255for support and assistance from a trained crisis worker. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.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

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.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

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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

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

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