Happy Mental Health Awareness month! May was declared mental health month back in 1949 and we continue to learn and advocate more each year. I find learning more about mental health important not only because I work in the field of mental health, but because it is necessary to learn in order to better myself in even the smallest ways.
This year, we wanted to highlight some books that teach or focus on mental health. I’ve read some of these books, but I also took some time to highlight several books I’d like to read one day. These books range from fiction with good messages, memoirs of life experiences, collections of poetry and information on what there is to learn. I hope you find some books and take on the challenge of learning something new in regards to mental health this month.
He Felt Unwell (So He Wrote This) by Grant Chemidlin
Sometimes I wish the world forced us to wear our fears and our flaws like tattoos on our skin. Son on days we feel lonely, we may walk through a crowd and realize we are not alone at all.
He Felt Unwell (So He Wrote This) by Grant Chemidlin
The collection of poetry is written to represent the messes hidden in our minds. It reveals how seemingly normal days can crumble. It normalizes the cycles of life, how we go through ups and downs. This book brought me a lot of comfort during the height of the pandemic, reminding me it is okay to express and feel my emotions.
Educated by Tara Westover
My life was narrated for me by others. Their voices were forceful, emphatic, absolute. It had never occurred to me that my voice might be as strong as theirs.
Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s memoir on her life speaks to many struggles and traumas. Not only is she a victim, but she is a survivor. Her story speaks on her journey to academia from a world where education was prohibited. Underneath her tales of studying for the ACT, surviving abuse both physical and mental, and maneuvering through trauma-inducing family dynamics, Tara highlights the impact undiagnosed and untreated mental illnesses can have on the whole family. Full review coming soon.
It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are And How To End The Cycle by Mark Wolynn
I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews on this book, but that hasn’t thwarted my desire to read it. This book covers the science and research on intergenerational trauma and how it can impact our own behaviors and thought patterns. Not only does it highlight and help people identify how their thoughts and beliefs may be influenced by family traumas, but it helps us identify changes we can make to stop this cycle. This is definitely on my TBR for the future.
The Strength in Our Scars by Bianca Sparacino
You guard yourself from sadness, not realizing that you have closed yourself off to all of the happiness the world is trying to give to you. Stay open; it is how the light gets in.
The Strength In Our Scars by Bianca Sparacino
I have grown quite fond of poetry over my years of exploring it. This collection has been on my radar since I first ran across it. From reviews I’ve read, it seems like the perfect compilation of the pains of our past and the hope they can awaken. Bianca Sparacino has a unique skill at capturing emotion and experience through compassionate writing. I hope to read this one sooner rather than later.
Sophomores by Sean Desmond
The hero is defined by his journey. A hero isn’t perfect. Every man has flaws that he must confront and overcome. That is the internal quest of the hero. And the eternal quest of literature.
Sophomores by Sean Desmond
Semi-recently published, this book is another example of realistic fiction. This makes it a great candidate for its telling of mental health. This book touches family struggles, pressures of education, and overall teenage heartbreak and successes. I cannot wait till I get the chance to read this one!
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Before that she hadn’t realized how fragile happiness was, how if you were careless, you could knock it over and shatter it.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
While my review on this book was not our best review, it still contains important messages on mental health. This book highlights the pressure of expectations and the toll they can take on mental health. Lessons on the importance of sharing and being honest about our headspace are acknowledged throughout the storyline and the secrets the family holds. Overall, this book does offer a lot in the realm of spreading awareness on mental health and mental illness.
There are obviously many books on mental health and these don’t even cover a fraction of the ones out there. I hope you all have a chance to learn something about mental health and your own personal journey to mental wellness. Are there any books that were impactful in your journey with mental health? Let us know in the comments!
As always, happy reading!