A good book can transport us to another time and place. And when it comes to books about mental health, they can radically change how we perceive our own struggles.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen lots of mental health related memoirs, self-help guides and novels hit the shelves. We’ve collated some of our favourites, as well as some books recommended to us by friends and experts, to list ten books about mental health you need to read—or listen to. In fact, you can even watch some in movie form.
Whatever medium you prefer, take a look through this list and see what story resonates with you.
The Power of Vulnerability (audio book) by Brene Brown
This six hour audio book is made up of social researcher Brene’s Brown’s talks about shame, vulnerability and being authentic. Brene is engaging and relatable, and communicates her research with a mix of fact, illustration and personal stories. If you prefer to read a book, ‘Daring Greatly’ and ‘Into the Wilderness’ are also fantastic.
Available on Amazon
2. Back, After the Break by Osher Gunsberg
These days Aussie’s know Osher as the host of The Bachelor, fewer know he is a mental health advocate and Board Director of SANE Australia. In his new memoir, he gives us a raw and poignant account of his childhood experience of anxiety, all the way to when he “lost his mind” in his thirties. This is riveting because it recounts the underbelly of his time in the media industry, showing how substances altered his life, and thas him speak candidly about divorce.
Flags: Mild language, sexual abuse, psychotic episodes, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, trauma
Available on Amazon.
3. Turtles All the Way Down By John Green
Young adult author John Green is known for his tear-jerker novels, but Turtles All the Way Down is his first novel purposely addressing mental illness. The story revolves around 16 year-old Aza who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. When she learns about the mysterious death of a local billionaire, she begins an investigation into the events and meets some intriguing people along the way.
Flags: Traumatic events, mild language, sexual references
Available on Amazon.
4. If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For by Jamie Tworkowski
This memoir by the founder of charity To Write Love On Her Arms is moving, poetic and beautifully written. Full of blogs, essays, letters and emails, it chronicles the emergence of the famous non-profit, as well as Tworkowski’s own journey through mental illness, heartbreak and adulthood.
Flags: Mild language
Available on Amazon.
5. Am I There Yet? The Loop-de-loop, Zigzagging Journey to Adulthood By Mari Andrew
Illustrator Mari Andrew is famous on Instagram for her realistic, yet whimsical, portrayals of adutlthood. In this illustrated memoir, she candidly explores what it means to forge your own path in a world filled with detours—from heartbreak, to travel, moving away and mental health.
Available on Amazon.
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky
Perks is iconic in young adult fiction for its timely story about the social misfit Charlie and how he finds his place in the world. It discusses identity, sexuality, drug use and mental health; using Charlie’s narration to give insight into the development of a teenager who is learning to love themselves.
Flags: Mild language, sexual references, substance abuse
Available on Amazon.
7. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Author Matt Haig provides us with one of the most famous memoirs about depression with his book Reasons To Stay Alive. Divided by significant moments in his diagnosis and recovery, his candour is heart breaking and relatable. A contemporary, highly acclaimed read that is poetic and cleverly simple.
Flags: Mild language, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, sexual references
Available on Amazon.
8. First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety by Sarah Wilson
This memoir is a different take in the mental health genre, due to it collaboration between narrative and research. Entrepreneur Sarah Wilson describes the day-to-day life of many people who live with an anxiety disorder, using research, studies around treatments, interviews with fellow sufferers and her personal experience. It is an empowering and fulfilling take on what it means to live with mental illness.
Available on Amazon.
9. Love, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton
This best seller was featured on Oprah’s Book Club and is a powerful story about marriage and infidelity, faith and feminism. Nothing is taboo with Glennon, and she openly discusses the good and bad of marriage and betrayal, sex, porn, faith and food.
Available on Amazon.
10. Furiously Happy: A funny book about horrible things by Jenny Lawson
This collection of essays and blogs is about author Jenny Lawson’s everyday battle with depression, anxiety, self harm, trichotillomania, dermatillomania and avoidant personality disorder. Jenny is cheeky and candid, talking about her ‘happiness coach’ and trying to find words to describe a day where depression is heavy and all consuming. This extensive review by The Guardian gives great insight to the hilarious and moving book.
Flags: Mild language, struggle with self harm
Available on Amazon.