So it’s mental health month, and you want to learn more. But where do you start? I know how overwhelming it can be to find the right resource about mental illness. And whether you are a concerned parent, a ministry leader, friend or are experiencing something yourself, it’s important you have the right information.

We’ve saved you time, and reviewed a handful of the self-help books on the market. These are specific tools you can use to better understand mental health and conditions such as depression, anorexia and anxiety.

OVERCOME DEPRESSION – BY ALICE MUIR (PSYCHOLOGIST)

If you want the nuts and bolts about depression, who gets it, treatment options and anything else under the sun, this book is your answer. Muir’s research into depression and how it affects different people is matter-of-fact, and she fills each chapter with checklists and tips, giving you immediate control over your mental health journey. Available on Amazon.

SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN: THE KEY TO PEAK HAPPINESS, THINKING AND HEALTH – BY DR CAROLINE LEAF

This is one of the Christian world’s most popular books on mental health, and with good reason. Dr Caroline Leaf manages to correlate the truth of the Scriptures with science in this informative book. Using the idea that we can ‘switch on our brain’ and change negative and unhealthy habits, Dr Leaf goes into detail about the structure of the brain and how we change our thinking patterns to become more like Christ. This is an excellent book for anyone who feels uncomfortable in the realm of mental health literature and wants to learn more from a Bible-based perspective. However, those prone to guilt or anxiety will do better with a more gentle approach. Available at Koorong.

HELP YOUR TEENAGER BEAT AN EATING DISORDER – BY JAMES LOCK (MD, PHD) AND DANIEL LE GRANGE (PHD)

A parent often feels helpless when they notice their child showing symptoms of an eating disorder. This expansive guide by two of America’s leading researchers in eating disorders gives you the tools to understand the complexities of the illness, and what treatment is available immediately and long term. An empathetic and invaluable resource for anyone concerned about a loved one’s health. Available on Amazon.

FREEDOM FROM SELF HARM – BY KIM L GRATZ (PHD) AND ALEXANDER L CHAPMAN (PHD)

Self-harm is one of the more taboo areas of mental health, with many people assuming it is an issue reserved for teenagers. In this book, Gratz takes away the stigma and myths of self-harm, explaining why it occurs, why it’s not necessarily linked to a suicide attempt, and how someone can find healing from it. This is a very specific and detailed book that caregivers will find pivotal. Available on Amazon.

LIVING WITH IT: A SURVIVORS GUIDE TO PANIC ATTACKS – BY BEV AISBETT

Bev Aisbett released this guide to coping with anxiety and panic attacks in the early 1990s, but it is timeless. A quick read, Bev gives you the ability to ‘personify’ anxiety as the monster ‘It’ and separate it from yourself. In doing so, she uses humour, wit and empathy to teach people of all ages how to overcome anxiety by using strategies taught in counselling. Available at Dymocks.