May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
The more we talk, tweet, write blog posts about mental health, the more people are aware of these conditions.
I think there’s more to awareness than just the basic “hey, now more people know about depression or binge eating disorder or schizophrenia”.
Truly understanding the challenges, struggles, and daily life of a person who deals with these mental health conditions is more ideal.
What better way to do this, than through books?
Reading is a unique way to experience the human condition of mental health. As many of you all know, books allow us to transport ourselves to another country, lifestyle, personal situation, etc.
Below I have listed some books that center around mental health. It’s definitely not inclusive, but rather books that I have read, enjoyed, and think represent mental health and illness well.
Fiction
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh (depression)
Black Box by Julie Schumacher (depression)
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (agoraphobia, anxiety)
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Temple (anxiety, panic disorders)
OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu (OCD)
This is How I Find Her by Sara Polsky (bipolar disorder)
Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert (bipolar disorder)
Paperweight by Meg Haston (eating disorder)
Saving Ruth by Zoe FIshman (eating disorder)
Pretend We Are Lovely by Noley Reid (eating disorder, grief)
Speak by Laure Halse Anderson (trauma) – also check out the newly released graphic novel by the same name
Cutters Don’t Cry by Christine Dzidrums (self harm)
Memoirs
When They Call You a Terrorist: a Black Live Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors (mental health system)
Floating: a Life Regained by Joe Minihane (depression, anxiety)
Pound for Pound: A Story of One Woman’s Recovery and the Shelter Dogs Who Loved Her Back to Life by Shannon Kopp (eating disorder)
In the Water They Can’t See You Cry by Amanda Beard (depression, bulimia, self harm, alcohol & drug abuse)
If you want more information about about mental health in general visit NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness at https://www.nami.org
Peace and love,
Amanda
Books, Life and Everything Nice 