# data[].attributes.body
My first example is the king of staten island A semi-autobiographical comedy-drama about Pete Davidson's upbringing on Staten Island, including his father's death on 9/11 and his foray into stand-up comedy. Despite the fact that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is never officially acknowledged in the film, this sequence and others unfold like explosive episodes typical of BPD, a diagnosis Davidson reportedly revealed he got in 2017.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The King of Staten Island - Official Trailer

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/n5rh7O4IDc0

Charlie (Logan Lerman), a socially shy adolescent, is a wallflower who sits on the outskirts of life until two dynamic classmates become his mentors. While a teacher sparks Charlie's ambitions of becoming a writer, free-spirited Sam (Emma Watson) and her stepbrother Patrick (Ezra Miller) assist Charlie in discovering the delights of friendship, first love, music, and more. Charlie's newfound confidence, however, is threatened by his inner grief as his new friends prepare to depart for college. Charlie, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is set to start his freshman year of high school after spending the summer in the hospital after his closest buddy commits suicide. He is afraid of being recognized as the strange child who spent the summer in the hospital and not having any friends.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Perks of Being a Wallflower Official Trailer #1 (2012) - Emma Watson Movie HD

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/zAGVQLHvwOY
Arthur Fleck, a failing comic who is always alone in a crowd, seeks connection as he explores the streets of Gotham City. Arthur has two masks: one that he paints for his day job as a clown, and another that he wears in a vain attempt to blend in with the rest of the world. Fleck begins a steady spiral into madness as he evolves into the criminal genius known as the Joker, while being isolated, ridiculed, and ignored by society. Personality disorders are one type of mental illness that the main character may suffer from. In general, Arthur looks to have a complicated combination of personality characteristics, including narcissism (since he loves attention in whatever form) and psychopathy (since he demonstrates no empathy for his victims).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
JOKER - Final Trailer - Now Playing In Theaters

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/5jaI1XOB-bs

Nina (Natalie Portman) is a dancer whose love of dancing pervades her entire existence. Nina is the first option of the company's creative director when it comes to replacing his prima ballerina for the company's first performance of "Swan Lake." However, she has newbie Lily (Mila Kunis) to contend with. While Nina is ideal for the White Swan role, Lily embodies the Black Swan. Nina's evil side begins to surface as the competition between the two dancers develops into a twisted relationship. While Black Swan looks to be a loose cinematic depiction of the development of schizophrenia, it is likely to leave untrained viewers perplexed regarding schizophrenia's diagnostic characteristics.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BLACK SWAN | Official Trailer | FOX Searchlight

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/oRG2jlQWCsY

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a genius with a genius IQ who chooses to work as an MIT janitor. When he solves a challenging graduate-level arithmetic problem, Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) notices his abilities and vows to help the misguided adolescent attain his full potential. When Will gets jailed for assaulting a police officer, Professor Lambeau strikes a deal with him to get him treated by therapist Sean Maguire in exchange for leniency (Robin Williams). Will Hunting suffers from a common kind of attachment problem. He has problems forming meaningful and suitable connections with adults and women since he was abused as a young child. His only pals are a bunch of young guys his age who are incapable of matching his brilliance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Good Will Hunting | 'Your Move Chief' (HD) - Matt Damon, Robin Williams | MIRAMAX

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/YWwAOutgWBQ

A human drama based in part on Sylvia Nasar's biography "A Beautiful Mind," which was influenced by events in the life of John Forbes Nash Jr. John Forbes Nash Jr. seen it all, from the heights of celebrity to the depths of depravity. He was a mathematical prodigy who, early in his career, produced an amazing discovery and was on the verge of international renown. Nash, who was both attractive and arrogant, quickly found himself on a long and torturous path of self-discovery. A Beautiful Mind is based on the true biography of mathematician and Nobel Laureate John Nash. Nash is diagnosed with paranoid Schizophrenia, a mental disorder characterized by a series of breaks from reality and paranoia, while going about his daily routine.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Beautiful Mind (2001) Official Trailer - Russell Crowe Movie HD

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Oc2d_3yEk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris [Official Music Video] [4K Remaster]

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/ygNNpvzuNFA

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/C5UdjCGi8sY

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/PQyqrlFOe5s

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Smiths - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/wGF7PswOENQ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lord Huron - The Night We Met (Official Lyric Video)

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/wcJY0WDe-H4

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/EMnQwBTJnMM

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/FwkrrU2WYKg

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vampire Weekend - This Life (Official Video)

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/gOMhN-hfMtY

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hungertv.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2Fmentalhealthheader.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hungertv.com%2Ffeature%2Ffive-contemporary-artists-exploring-mental-health%2F&tbnid=U7g0QIr1LLPAvM&vet=12ahUKEwj6oeGG4534AhV5rXIEHdBABH8QMygAegUIARCFAQ..i&docid=oEqOcvfDDHDUiM&w=1902&h=1102&q=art%20and%20mental%20health&ved=2ahUKEwj6oeGG4534AhV5rXIEHdBABH8QMygAegUIARCFAQ

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/living-with-mental-disorders_n_9089996

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What started as a school project ended up becoming a gripping collection of photos capturing what mental disorders can feel like.

Christian Sampson, a 21-year-old photographer from Peru, Indiana started taking photos around the theme of mental illness in 2014 for an advanced photography class.

"[The collection] actually started out as physical illnesses like cancer, but I wanted to create something that people struggled with every day but couldn't see," he tells The Huffington Post Canada. "I wanted the majority of people to relate to them."

With limited resources, Sampson asked his friends to be his models and researched some of the most common mental disorders around the world. His work brought him down to 12 smaller topics, ranging from depression to schizophrenia to insomnia. In eight weeks, Sampson designed and photographed each shot, making sure his version of each disorder was accurate.

"These were touchy subjects so I did rigorous research to make sure I depicted it accurately," he says.

On Wednesday, Canadians on social media are encouraged to taker part in Bell Let's Talk Day - an awareness campaign that aims to bring mental health into the spotlight. While this is one day to tweet, post and talk openly about some of these disorders, it is of course a reality people live with every single day. In fact, 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health or addiction problem in any given year, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reports.

"Just because it can't be seen, it doesn't mean damage can't be done," Sampson says. "That's why the series is so dark, because I want to make the point that people suffer from this."

Sampson has created a Facebook album with his collection titled, "A Visual Depiction of Mental Disorders," and makes prints as well. He also plans on doing more work around the theme and regularly asks his followers for feedback and ideas.

"Mental health is an important topic for me because I have people in my life that live with it every day."

Below, Sampson has shared his collection with us. Check out the photos and follow his work here.

Are you in crisis? Need help? In Canada, find links and numbers to 24-hour suicide crisis lines in your province here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Haunting Reality Of What Mental Disorders Feel Like

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What started as a school project ended up becoming a gripping collection of photos capturing what mental disorders can feel like. Christian Sampson, a 21-year-old photographer from Peru, Indiana started taking photos around the theme of mental illness in 2014 for an advanced photography class.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health-podcast

# data[].attributes.body
(914) 925-5959

# data[].attributes.body
(800) 273-TALK or (800) 273-8255

# data[].attributes.body
(877) 8-HOPENY / Text 467369

# data[].attributes.body
the body that keeps score

# data[].attributes.body
Hope and Help for Your Nerves

Book by Claire Weekes

# data[].attributes.body
Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions

# data[].attributes.headline
Best for women survivors of relationship abuse

# data[].attributes.subject
Best for women survivors of relationship abuse

# data[].attributes.body
Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook

# data[].attributes.body
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

# data[].attributes.body
Emotional First Aid

# data[].attributes.body
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Best for people battling trauma: The Body Keeps the Score

Best for science lovers: Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

Best for anxiety: Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now

Best for recovery from addiction: Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions

Best for women survivors of relationship abuse: Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook

Best for understanding a therapist’s perspective: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Best for battling burnout: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Best for healing from emotional pain: Emotional First Aid

Best for understanding family trauma: It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

Best for navigating relationships: Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love

Best for highly sensitive people: The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

Best for practicing self-love: Loving Bravely

Best for finding order in life: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Books are more than just a comfort. They can be a portal to different worlds, a bridge to a new past or future, an outpost for philosophies, and a support system for times of need.

In a literal sense, research shows that reading has the power to change your brain and create different patterns within it. On a practical level, reading allows you to learn new information and skills you might’ve not known before.

While dealing with a mental illness can feel isolating, 20 percent of the U.S. population experiences mental illness each year. Therapy and mindfulness are powerful steps in seeking help. For those looking to learn new skills outside of therapy, libraries and bookstores are teaming with options written by experts and licensed professionals.

Mental health books can be a useful way to process your experiences, learn about psychology, and often find techniques and tools to help you in your daily life. They can aid your mental health toolkit by providing different techniques, scientific research, and stories of others who have faced the same hurdles.

Here, we’ve rounded up books that cover the subjects of depression, anxiety, addiction, self-love, relationships, and more.

The books on this list cover a broad spectrum of mental health concerns and provide tools to manage difficult times in life. Some books listed were written by doctors and mental health professionals, while others were recommended by mental health professionals who use the books with their patients. Several books were highly rated and written by people who’ve dealt with a mental health issue.

Pricing guide

$ = under $12

$$ = $12–$15

$$$ = over $15

Best for people battling trauma

The Body Keeps the Score

Price: $

Trauma comes in all forms, from near-death experiences to unexpected loss. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific discoveries to reveal how trauma doesn’t just impact the mind, but also the body.

According to van der Kolk, trauma can compromise the sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. In his #1 New York Times bestselling book, “The Body Keeps the Score,” he explores treatment methods that help activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity in trauma patients.

More than an achievement in neuroscience, “The Body Keeps the Score” is a way for readers to potentially find their way through the depths of trauma with unique approaches to therapy like yoga and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. The book has garnered the interest and praise of many in neuroscience and psychology.

In a review found on Amazon, Ruth A. Lanius, MD, PhD, director of PTSD research at the University of Western Ontario, says, “This book will provide traumatized individuals with a guide to healing and permanently change how psychologists and psychiatrists think about trauma and recovery.”

Best for science lovers

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

Price: $$

The brain is a powerful organ that is responsible for a myriad of functions in our body and mind. Why not treat it like the rest of our body? Author and neuropsychiatrist Daniel G. Amen, MD, makes the case for how anxiety, depression, obsessiveness, impulsiveness, and anger may be related to how specific structures work in your brain. He uses scientific evidence and research compiled from 100,000 SPECT brain scans to explain the mechanics of how the brain contributes to overall mental health.

The book shares techniques to lessen anxiety, fight depression, curb anger, boost memory, sharpen your focus, and deal with the feeling of being stuck.

“Reading this book felt like panning for gold during the gold rush,” shared one reviewer on Amazon. While the book has gems, some reviewers feel Amen is overly self-promotional in his writing.

Best for anxiety

Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now

Price: $$$

Do you ever feel like a prisoner to your thoughts? If you can’t seem to snuff out the flames of intrusive thoughts, there’s a book for that. Intrusive thoughts can sometimes feel like a gnat you can’t seem to keep away. At other times, they may feel like an avalanche that sends you into panic.

In “Hope and Help for Your Nerves,” Dr. Claire Weekes provides step-by-step guidance on how to understand and mitigate your symptoms of anxiety. She uses her own experience and scenarios from pioneering work in psychiatry to provide a clear-cut path to help readers find their own power.

Best for recovery from addiction

Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions

Price: $$

You may know Russell Brand from his acting career, but the “Get Him to The Greek” star has paved a way for himself as a recovery advocate. In 2019, Brand debuted his book, “Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions.” His book provides lessons that can be applied to a variety of addictions, and provides steps for people with addiction and their loved ones to get the help they need.

Brand has openly battled with drug, sex, alcohol, fame, and food addictions. The comedian uses humor and compassion while weaving his own story of addiction with advice he’s learned while in recovery. Rather than ask readers why they are addicted, he believes the real question should be: “what pain is your addiction masking?” Between Brand’s own revelations on the world and his personal plan of recovery, the actor provides a fresh perspective on moving past addiction.

Brand isn’t a mental health professional but his experience may help readers feel less alone in their struggles.

Best for women survivors of relationship abuse

Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook

Price: $$$

Abuse can come in the form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse that impacts men, women, and nonbinary people. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women experience abuse by a romantic partner while 1 in 5 women experience rape. The statistics are striking and leave organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating that 20 people in the U.S. are abused by an intimate partner every minute.

With abuse being a saddening but common experience among women, it’s likely you or someone you know has experienced some type of intimate partner violence. Workbooks like “Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook” help to provide a gentle approach to healing and recovery. The book can apply to women who experienced trauma as a child or adult, and aims to introduce readers to problem-solving and self-advocacy strategies to rebuild self-esteem and heal. The methodology was developed by Maxine Harris and clinicians at Community Connections, a non-profit mental health agency in Washington, D.C.

Within the book, readers can take an assessment to understand if they are ready to undergo the exercises. The guide covers subjects like physical and emotional boundaries, self-soothing techniques, female sexuality, self-destructive behaviors, communication techniques, and acceptance.

While the book has received a wide array of positive reviews and a 4.6 rating on Amazon, the authors do not recommend the book for women who are currently trying to leave an abusive relationship.

Best for understanding a therapist’s perspective

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Price: $$$

Psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb was used to being the therapist in the room until she experienced a crisis that led her to change roles and sit on the therapy couch. In the New York Times bestselling memoir, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone,” Gottlieb takes readers through life as a therapist seeking therapy. The book follows the therapy sessions of her clients at her Los Angeles-based practice, including the lessons she learns from them and the progress they’ve made along the way. When Gottlieb experiences an unexpected breakup, she finds herself seeking out therapy from Wendell and getting a taste of what it’s like to be a client.

“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” sprinkles in humor and honesty as Gottlieb shares her perspective as a practitioner and patient. Through her words, readers will be left with wisdom and hope about the human condition we all share. If you’re nervous about seeing a therapist, this book will help you see sessions through a counselor’s eyes and understand they are human just like you.

Best for battling burnout

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Price: $

What if getting over burnout was easier than we imagined? Sisters Emily Nagoski, PhD, and Amelia Nagoski, DMA, are on a mission to end burnout by helping readers understand how to unlock the biological stress cycle. Their book, “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,” has set out to explain why women experience burnout differently from men, how to minimize the feeling, and how to manage emotions.

According to the book, burnout is emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a decreased sense of accomplishment. The authors share that just because you’ve handled a stressor in your life doesn’t mean you’ve completed a stress cycle, and getting stuck in that cycle can — you guessed it — cause burnout. Emily and Amelia Nagoski outline how to understand your body’s response to stress, close the loop of the stress cycle, and enact planful problem solving through thorough research and helpful worksheets.

Sarah Knight, a New York Times bestselling author of “Calm the F*** Down,” called “Burnout” the gold standard of self-help books. Some reviewers complained about the feminist principles that shine through the text, pop culture references, and the conversational writing style. Overall, the book has garnered four stars on Goodreads since its debut, with a majority of happy readers.

Best for healing from emotional pain

Emotional First Aid

Price: $$

Loss, heartache, failure, and rejection aren’t as visible as a broken limb or open cut, but that doesn’t make them any less painful. Guy Winch, PhD, wrote “Emotional First Aid” to provide strategies to those in need of mending the emotional pains that everyone experiences at some point in life. Like any wound, leaving an ailment untreated can cause it to worsen or spread. Rather than writing patients a prescription, Winch provides strategies and tools to build your own emotional first aid kit. In the book, he tackles rejection, loneliness, loss and trauma, guilt, rumination, failure, and low self-esteem.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), depression has become the leading cause of disability around the world, and a fifth of all adults in the United States experience a mental illness each year. Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, NAMI found that only 44.8 percent of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2019.

Allyson Timmons, licensed mental health professional and founder of Envision Therapy, often recommends “Emotional First Aid” to her clients. “Guy Winch provides insight into how we are taught from infancy to care for our bodies but not our minds. He challenges us to cater to our emotions just as much as we do the body,” she explains. When it comes to emotional injuries, a band-aid doesn’t suffice. Winch provides a strategy to treat the mind’s bruises.

Best for understanding family trauma

It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

Price: $$

Mark Wolynn has been recognized around the world as a leading expert on the subject of inherited family trauma. In his 2016 release, “It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle,” he dissects how the trauma of relatives can be passed down the family tree. Wolynn believes this trauma can cause depression, anxiety, phobias, and chronic pain despite it not happening directly to the reader.

The highly reviewed book has shared therapy tactics and scientific research that therapists within the industry have applied with their own clients. Alexanndra Kreps, MD, was one professional who contributed a blurb on the informative work where she writes, “I found myself immediately able to apply Mark Wolynn’s techniques with my patients and saw incredible results, in a shorter time than with traditional psychotherapeutic techniques.”

When approaching trauma, it is best to consult a mental health professional before diving into work that could be triggering. One Amazon reviewer cautioned, “I would say you have to be ready to face these things and it is most definitely not a light read.”

Best for navigating relationships

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love

Price: $

“Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love” explores the idea of attachment theory, a concept first introduced by British psychologist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby. While attachment theory has long dissected the impact that our early relationships with parents or caregivers have on who we become, the theory can be applied to our closest life relationships. Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel Heller teamed up in “Attached” to provide a modern understanding of attachment theory and how it can help us find love.

“Attached is a sigh of relief for anyone who struggles with anxiety and navigating conflict,” says Danielle Friedman, LMHC, Free Space Counseling. She finds that the book serves a deeper purpose by teaching the reader “that emotions are deeply rooted in one’s upbringing.”

According to attachment theory, there are three common ways people behave in relationships depending on whether they are anxious, avoidant, or secure. By helping readers determine their own attachment style, the book helps readers navigate their relationships and understand themselves.

“[Attached] gives them answers and reasons for why they emote and respond the way they do to others, especially those they care for deeply,” says Friedman. “This book takes the reader on a step by step journey towards understanding how we relate to one another, while updating the way we see ourselves,” she continues.

Best for highly sensitive people

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

Price: $$

Author Elaine Aron, PhD, identifies as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and has been researching sensitivity for 20 years. She authored “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You” and its subsequent counterparts, “The Highly Sensitive Person in Love” and “The Highly Sensitive Child.” While HSP sounds like buzzy therapy speak or an outlier in mental health, Aron says 15 to 20 percent of the population are highly sensitive.

HSPs can feel overwhelmed by their physical surroundings like bright lights, crowded spaces, blaring sounds, and strong smells. They may avoid violent films out of a fear of feeling too much, feel flustered by a busy schedule, and find themselves drained after too much socialization.

While HSPs are often overstimulated, it isn’t all bad. Aron finds that they notice the minute details that add beauty and color to life. She feels sensitive people have the unusual ability to sense subtleties, avoid errors, and concentrate deeply. Aron uses case studies, self-tests, and exercises to help readers cope with their overarousal and overcome social discomfort. Rejoice in your sensitivity by using “The Highly Sensitive Person” to understand yourself and how this special trait impacts your personal life, love, and career.

Best for practicing self-love

Loving Bravely

Price: $$$

“Loving Bravely” by Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, is “my nearest and dearest for anyone wanting to find deep and meaningful relationships,” says Friedman. Friedman, who has worked through this book with clients and herself, finds that it “gently supports the reader to learn about themself and family in ways never considered.”

The author believes that real love starts with you, and shares 20 lessons to help readers commit to their emotional well-being and growth. Solomon, a psychologist and relationship expert, introduces the idea of relational self-awareness. By understanding your own strengths and weaknesses in relationships, she feels you can build a better foundation to love yourself and others.

“Though the focus of this book is getting the love you want, the reader will ultimately learn that in order to get it from others, they will have to give it to themselves first. This book teaches you how to do that,” explains Friedman.

Best for finding order in life

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Price: $$

When helping clients find a path toward self-improvement, Timmons likes to employ the lessons from Stephen R. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” She often recommends the book to clients who can use its self-efficacy tools to become more intentional. “This transformative book teaches its readers how to discard old ways and approach life from a different perspective — all leading to becoming a more effective and intentional individual,” she says.

The book has long been touted as a favorite within the business world, often found on the shelves of executive teams and company founders. Covey’s book, which has been in print since 1989, has also continued to draw admiration in self-help communities.

Of the book’s many lessons, it provides helpful principles for readers to find balance and prioritize areas of their life in an efficient and helpful way. Covey helps readers find a sustainable balance in life, take on responsibilities proactively, set out end goals, negotiate in a way that benefits everyone, and work well with others.

For those suffering from burnout or an inability to get organized, Covey’s tips could help signal a lightbulb to find a health routine and communicate effectively with others. The “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” has sold over 20 million copies, with 88 percent of reviewers on Amazon giving it a perfect five stars. Some Goodreads reviews found that the book followed the self-care formula of many and the information was repetitive. Still, many reviewers call the book “transformative” and “life-changing.”

Mental health books can be a fantastic resource and entry way into understanding psychology and the way the brain impacts mood, behavior, and thoughts. Picking up a book can be helpful no matter what your situation — whether you are working through your own mental health journey, brushing up on your self-care, or generally interested in psychology.

While these books can provide helpful tools to deal with mental health and stressors, they are not a substitute for therapy. When diving into a book about mental illness, it’s best to consult with a licensed mental health professional. Even better, you can work through your book with a therapist by your side.

Jillian Goltzman is a freelance journalist covering culture, social impact, wellness, and lifestyle. She’s been published in various outlets, including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Fodor’s Travel Guide. Outside of writing, Jillian is a public speaker who loves discussing the power of social media — something she spends too much time on. She enjoys reading, her houseplants, and cuddling with her corgi. Find her work on her website, blog, Twitter, and Instagram.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Best 15 Books That Can Help You Improve Your Mental Health in 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here, we’ve rounded up books that cover the subjects of depression, anxiety, addiction, self-love, relationships, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Frequently Asked Questions - What is SAMHSA’s National Helpline?