Best mental health books to boost your mood and keep you on the right track
While we’re big believers in self-care as a way to manage your mental health, sometimes what you really need is some advice from the experts. So we’ve compiled a list of the best mental health books – all available to shop right now on Amazon - and there's no better time than World Mental Health Day to give you the motivation you need to give your mind some love.
“Not to spoil the ending but everything is going to be OK”.
We’re certainly not going to promise that these mental health books are a guaranteed fix to all of your problems, but we have done our research to find reads that will inspire, motivate and uplift you whilst also providing practical, meaningful strategies to boost your mental health.
After more books content? We've got sleep books, cookbooks, poetry books, romance novels, true crime books, autobiographies, vegetarian cookbooks and adult colouring books. We've also got coffee table books, summer books, vegan cookbooks and books by black authors. Don't say we don't treat you.
Scroll down for the 17 best mental health books to buy now.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
As a part memoir by Glennon Doyle, Untamed is a genuinely inspirational read on how we can achieve inner joy and peace the second we stop striving to meet the world's expectations. This is an excellent read if you need a little nudge on learning to listen and trust the voice deep down while also setting healthy boundaries and making peace with our bodies.
The Colour of Madness by Samara Linton and Rianna Walcott
The Colour of Madness shines a light on people of colour and their experiences with mental health, with more than seventy contributors sharing their stories through a series of essays, poetry, short fiction and artwork. Often, these conversations and stories have been overlooked while also putting a magnifying glass on the impact of everyday racism and, subsequently, injustice. If you're looking for a read to break down the whitewashed mental health narrative, this book is the one.
It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
There are decades of evidence and research centred on how our depression, anxiety, phobias and accompanying mental health factors are inherited from the traumas of parents and subsequently passed on to future generations. This emotional inheritance plays a significant part in our everyday lives and, as a result, can limit our potential. Mark Wolynn offers a refreshing and pioneering approach to breaking those inherited family patterns.
Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans by Jenny T. Wang
Jenny T. Wang explores how the mental health of Asian Americans has become critically important, especially after years of them preceding their identity to assimilate into American culture, which has played into longstanding cultural narratives. The book destabilizes the stigma of mental health surrounding Asian Americans while also allowing them to embrace their heritage and embody a new-age identity.
The Body Keeps The Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
An insightful and educational look into the impact of trauma stress and its impact on society. From veterans dealing with the painful aftermath of war and domestic abuse to those molested as children and growing up with alcoholics, trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses his experience of three decades working with survives to show how trauma shapes the body and limits one's capacity for pleasure, self-control and trust. Innovative treatments such as neurofeedback and meditation are explored to help people reclaim their lives.
My Body Keeps Your Secrets by Lucia Osbourne-Crowley
From puberty to menopause and everything in between, Lucia Osborne-Crowley explores everything that a woman's body has been through using well-researched voices, including trans and non-binary people around the world, as well as her own deeply moving experiences. This a must-read for those who want to understand how trauma can rewrite our biology and our relationship with sex, as well as how we connect with others.
Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me: Depression in the First Person by Anna Mehler Paperny
A fresh and unique approach to how to treat depression, Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me: Depression in the First Person is a compelling memoir from Anna Mehler Paperny, who, after a suicide attempt in her twenties, decided to research and understand her journey with depression, which also wreaks havoc in thousands across the globe The book features interviews with leading medical experts across the States as well as conversations with fellow suffers.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine Aron
Do you feel overwhelmed by the world? You may have an overactive imagination that doesn't necessarily work in your favour when it comes to enjoying your everyday life. Whatever the underlying case, this book is for those highly sensitive people who suffer from low self-esteem and offers them a solution for a happy and fulfilling life while also addressing and reframing events from their past to get out of their own way.
What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Dr Bruce Perry
Television talk show queen Oprah Winfrey joins forces with renowned brain development and trauma expert Dr Bruce Perry as they discuss the impact of trauma and the healing journey. Drawing on personal conversation, the pair provide readers with tools to shift the focus from 'What's wrong with you?' to 'What happened to you?'. In doing so, a whole new perspective to understand the behaviours of millions will open you to a more fulfilling life.
The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Spaces for Black Girls by Marline Francois-Madden
This book aims to empower young black girls in the face of adversity and obstacles that have long stood in their way in society. Marline Francois-Madden gives insight into perspectives, activities, prompts and coping skills such as self-care, affirmations, and goal-setting, which will help turn the tides in your favour. The book is an invaluable tool that will lead you to become an unstoppable force in your own life.
Get a Grip, Love by Kate Lucey
This book speaks honestly about what it's like to live with a mental health disorder as it weaves real peoples’ experiences of depression with the opinions of qualified experts. This raw, funny and wise read recognises that just 'getting a grip' - and all the other bad advice people may give you - won't make you feel better.
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris
After a panic attack on national TV, Dan Harris set about making changes in his life - the most important being using meditation to reign in the voice in his head. From his story to the scene behind mediation - plus takeaways on how to actually change your life, this is a New York Times bestseller for good reason.
Remember This When You're Sad: Lessons Learned on the Road from Self-Harm to Self-Care by Maggy Van Eijk
Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness by Vex King
With over 500,000 copies sold worldwide, Vek King's Good Vibes, Good Life draws on his own experiences to help the reader practice self-care, change your beliefs and manifest your goals. Known for its 'self-love revolution', this book is a relatable must-read for anyone looking to find their purpose and achieve happiness.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
This best-selling self-help guide's selling point is that instead of trying to convince you to think yourself happy with positivity, you should learn how to handle the (inevitable) adversity life throws at you. Backed by research (and jokes), blogger Mark Manson's book is filled with real talk, like “In life, we have a limited amount of f*cks to give. So you must choose your f*cks wisely.”
How to Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong by Elizabeth Day
Make Your Bed: Small things that can change your life and maybe the world by William H McRaven
You might not think advice from an ex-Navy Seal is appropriate to your life, but this to-the-point book about setting healthy habits is probably more important to read than ever before, as our routines have been thrown into disarray. With ten life lessons, Make Your Bed will help you find structure and motivation with its simple wisdom.
How to Be a Grown-Up by Daisy Buchanan
Ever felt at a loss when it comes to adulting? You're definitely not alone, and in this witty book, Daisy Buchanan dispenses emotional and practical advice for women navigating their twenties. Honest and filled with humour, this brilliant book covers everything from careers to not needing validation from others.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shona Rhimes
Despite creating hit shows like Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, Shona Rhimes found herself avoiding parties and media engagements due to her introverted personality and panic attacks. That is until she started saying 'yes' to everything, which not only changed. but saved her life, and her book Year Of Yes details how you can too.
Joy on Demand: The Art of Discovering the Happiness Within by Chade-Meng Tan
If you worry you'll have to meditate for hours on end to achieve lasting joy, Chade-Meng Tan's Joy on Demand is for you. A follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Search Inside Yourself, this is the manual to help you meditate more effectively to access the three pillars of joy - inner peace, insight, and happiness - in as little as 15 seconds.
A Manual for Heartache by Cathy Rentzenbrink
Take a Moment: Activities to Refocus, Recentre and Relax Wherever You Are by MIND
How to Survive the End of the World (When it's in Your Own Head): An Anxiety Survival Guide by Aaron Gillies
Anxiety Relief for Teens: Essential CBT Skills and Mindfulness Practices to Overcome Anxiety and Stress by Regine Galanti
The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
This Japanese phenomenon is the perfect read for those constantly seeking the approval of others. A thought-provoking read, it's more relevant than ever in our era of comparing our lives to others online and equating likes to success and provides simple yet profound lessons to liberate yourself from the opinions of others.
