14 MENTAL HEALTH BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ

Mental health is a much neglected topic in many communities as it is often considered a taboo to even talk about mental health related issues. People often frown upon such topic of discussion as it’s not considered as an ‘elite’ health problem in our society.

People prioritize physical health problems over something they can’t really see or explain as workings of our cognitive process is not visible as such. Physical health issues are capable of generating more vivid sympathy or even empathy to an extent in comparison to mental health related concerns. People often forget that the key to being physically healthy depends greatly in the maintenance of one’s mental health.

Books play a crucial role in educating and spreading awareness about mental health. A good book may have a great degree of influence over people. We read for leisure or for education purposes and even light reading can stir up a degree of information we come across. This information in return can help answer our curiosity.

There are certain impactful books that one must try reading for a better understanding of mental health. 14 such books that may stir up a conversation about mental health awareness and the unique workings of our mind are:-

First in the list is HOW TO COME ALIVE AGAIN by Beth McColl.

As the name suggests the book illustrates on how one can be reborn by accepting their current condition, dealing with mental health issues in a practical yet comforting way and survive against all odds. The author uses humour to connect to her audience and via humour focuses on important issues. Instead of a brim approach towards mental health which is just informative, Beth McColl strikes a balance between great humour and sufficient information. This book is not only for people suffering from mental health problem but also for those who have had or are going through a difficult phase in their lives. The author tries to be as relatable as possible, so as to reach out to maximum audience and create a sense of ‘you’re not alone’. This book has soothing way of reaching out to people and might have a positive impact on people struggling with their mental health.

Two famous quotes from this book that personally reached out to me-

“Nobody has ever felt the pain but you, agony is yours, make a necklace from it.

Chew it. Never spit it out”.

“Treat yourself well. Care for yourself. Show yourself slow and deliberate gentle attention. Demonstrate that you are worth this kind of attention, because you are.”

The next book in the list is YOU ARE NOT TOO MUCH: LOVE NOTES ON HEARTACHES, REDEMPTION & RECLAMATION by Jeanette LeBlanc

This book focuses on self-love, heartache and one’s self-doubt after investing too much in a relationship. This book also touches on the concept of lovelorn and its consequences. This book reach out to women who heavily indulge in self-loathing and self-doubt. Most women I know have a tendency to be apologetic, call it age old conditioning or patriarchy imposing a sense of dominance that make women question their worth altogether. Jeanette LeBlanc in her book postulate the idea of one is never ‘too much’ to handle. In one of her quotes she clearly states

“you are not too much. You have never been too much. You will never be too much”.

Jeanette also states that the very idea of one being too much is preposterous because we are born to be ourselves. “All of you, Not a tiny acceptable silver. Not a watered-down version with colour dulled and edges softened. No you were meant to be every last pulsing- bleeding-loving- crying-feeling bit”.

By this she means that we are never too much to handle and that it’s a derogatory thing to even think about. If they cannot deal with us in our worse they do not deserve us in our best form.

This book is a must read for those suffering from anxiety due to any kind of failure in a relationship, bad breakup or have struggled with insecurities.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE by Lori Gottlieb is thought provoking book which has an aspect of both biography and autobiography. The book revolves around a therapist’s world and her dealings with her various clients and their varied problems. Amidst this the therapist have certain questions for herself as well. The books brings closure with our daily life events and how different people belonging to different age group have varied mental health problems.

HOW YOUR MIND CAN HEAL YOUR BODY by David R.Hamilton focuses on how much our mind has an influence on our physical health. This book is for everyone who only prioritize physical aspect of their health.

WHY DOES HE DO THAT by Lundy Bancroft. Lundy Bancroft is a counsellor and his specialty lies in working in close quarters with aggressive/abusive men. He uses his gained knowledge to educate women on how abusers think and manipulate their way in a relationship. This books reaches out millions of women who are victims of emotion/physical abuse in a relationship. It’s a must read for all.
TELL THE WOLVES IM HOME by Carol Rifka Brunt. This book appeals to all the introverts out there who experience anxiety in social life. The story revolves around a young girl who has only ever had one friend, her uncle. This young girl like many is unable to fit in and has trouble making friends. Eventually after her uncles demise, she realises she has to navigate her own path and avoid dependency
THE BELL JAR by Sylvia Plath is one of my personal favourites. I myself have had rough days and my downs have been more frequent than my ups. This book had greatly reached out to me and helped me feel understood.
HOW TO SURVIVE THE END OF THE WORLD by Aaron Gillies is the book for everyone confined in their respective house due to the ongoing pandemic. The books revolves around the uncertainty people due to any change of events. It shows the workings inside the mind of an individual with severe anxiety. A lot of us can relate with it specially in the year 2020.
DON’T CALL ME CRAZY by Kelly Jensen is about destigmatizing disclosure of mental health related issues. We often hear the phrase ‘are you crazy?’ which is highly offensive in many ways. The book tries to normalise the concept of mental illness.
FURIOUSLY HAPPY by Jenny Lawson
AN UNQUIET MIND by Kay Redfield Jamison in his book talks about mood swing disorder and touches on topics like bipolar disorder.
ESSENTIAL ART THERAPY by Leah Guzman
THE COURAGED TO BE DISLIKED by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga