15 Best Mental Health Books To Read In 2024
Books are our best friends, quite literally. People who read books are happier, more informed, and more educated. Reading can also calm your mind, fill your heart, teach you something new, take you to a different world for a while, and help you to get through tough times (and feel happier).
Books can be a solid companion in times of stress, joy, or meditation. They can help us overcome the traumatic situation, and calm our nerves when we are experiencing emotional rollercoasters.
We understand that talking about your mental health and getting professional help can be difficult sometimes. This is where mental health books can be really useful in getting you out of that dark pit of anxiety, mental agony & helplessness.
If you’re looking for a way to cope with certain feelings, take a look at our list of mental health books. We’ve compiled a list of the best self-help and psychology books on the market today, including the benefits of each book and how they might be useful.
1. This Too Shall Pass
- Written by: Julia Samuel
- Page count: 368
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: Adaptable and insightful, every individual's response to mental health problems is unique. This book shows how one can find peace in acceptance, rather than painful ignorance.
This Too Shall Pass is an engaging look into the minds of those who have seen and survived hell itself. Psychotherapist, Julia Samuel has spent over 30 years learning from patients what they have learned in their darkest hours--and she shares that wisdom here.
Whether battling a disorder like depression or anxiety or simply trying to find one's way through these difficult times, this expert guide offers hope and encouragement to anyone who has struggled with mental illness, as well as their loved ones.
2. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
- Written by: Lori Gottlieb
- Page count: 432
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This book is written with grace, humor, wisdom, and compassion, and it presents a heartwarming journey of self-discovery that sheds light on the mysterious nature of the human heart.
New York Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb offers a guide to life’s challenges as seen through her eyes as both a psychiatrist and a patient. With humor and honesty, she’ll take you on a journey through the human condition we all share.
This book lets us in on the ultimate secret, that therapy is actually really helpful and can really be fun and engaging, in this delightfully honest look at a therapist’s session notes.
3. The Highly Sensitive Person
- Written by: Elaine Aron
- Page count: 251
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This book will benefit both introverts and extroverts as it guides you through a process of healing and self-discovery so you can live an authentic life as a highly sensitive person.
The Highly Sensitive Person is a new way to look at who we are and how our personality affects our lives and relationships.
Written by Elaine N. Aron who has been both highly sensitive and highly successful, this book offers a fresh perspective on the special challenges faced by HSPs in today's world and a clear framework that helps HSPs understand their traits, and find supportive environments, and reach their full potential.
4. What Happened to You?
- Written by: Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
- Page count: 304
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This book is a powerful tool for understanding the legacy of childhood trauma and its implications on our mental health as adults.
In this book, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce D. Perry team up to explore deep issues of trauma, family, and the human condition. They share how we can address past hurts and make choices that promote connection, empathy, and bravery in our lives today.
You'll find yourself equipped with the tools necessary to live each day in the present moment, no matter what burdens you're carrying.
5. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love
- Written by: Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
- Page count: 304
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This book provides a guide to help readers determine their own attachment style and explore their relationships more fully.
Drawing on cutting-edge research in neuroscience, Dr. Levine and Dr. Heller have uncovered the fundamental differences between a healthy brain and an anxiety-ridden, love-avoidant brain. The result is their groundbreaking program to heal fearful attachment style patterns for good and become the person you’ve always wanted to be confident and full of positive, loving relationships. Together, you and your partner can rewire your brain for love!
6. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
- Written by: Amelia Nagoski & Emily Nagoski
- Page count: 304
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: Readers can use this book to stop the burnout process, recharge their mind & body, optimize sleep, and create an easy stress solution. From this book, women can learn how to keep their careers alive while they reclaim their health, happiness, joy, and family.
In this stunning book, the authors have made the complex science of burnout accessible to women, helping them understand the unique ways women's nervous systems respond to stress—doing damage that is often not obvious on the outside but can lead to the disease on the inside.
7. This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression
- Written by: Diane McIntosh
- Page count: 408
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: A positive guide for relief and recovery, readers will find ideas for living with or supporting others who suffer from depression. In addition to their own personal testimony of having recovered from depression, contributors also offer an array of tools that they have found effective during the healing process.
Depression has been called the common cold of mental illnesses and for good reason. Diane McIntosh presents an expanded vision of what we know about depression. This book is the complete guide to depression, covering every possible factor in both its causes and treatments. It's smart, readable science-based advice that everyone should know.
8. Loving Bravely: Twenty Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want
- Written by: Alexandra H. Solomon
- Page count: 232
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: Filled with relatable examples and a solid framework, Loving Bravely gives readers the practical tools they need to cultivate exciting & satisfying relationships.
Alexandra H. Solomon presents 20 lessons to help you develop the true love you deserve, including learning to recognize the difference between "real" love and codependency, and how to keep from projecting your needs onto others and putting your own needs aside.
Each lesson includes a promise to self, stories to illustrate the point, tools for making it a reality, and reflection questions to help you apply it to your own life.
9. This Is Me Letting You Go
- Written by: Heidi Priebe
- Page count: 133
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This book offers wise guidance and helpful exercises to help you prepare for the end of a relationship. You'll learn how to say goodbye with grace and dignity, so you can move on with your life and the other person can do the same.
Published by Thought Catalog Books in 2016 this book has a series of 30 poignant essays that challenges and inspires us to rethink what it means to be happy, to love, and grieve. The author, Heidi Priebe's audiobooks have earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and an Audie Award nomination.
10. How To Tell Depression to Piss Off: 40 Ways to Get Your Life Back
- Written by: James Withey
- Page count: 176
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: By looking at the problem in a refreshingly funny way and sharing his own experiences of how he moved on from his own low period, the author James Withey offers readers the tools they need to help them combat this debilitating condition.
James Withey is one of the UK’s leading experts in helping people with depression. His book 40 Ways To Get Better With Depression is born out of his years of experience as a Counselor, helping people to find their way out of the darkness and back into the light. It’s full of practical advice on how to deal with depression and start getting your life back.
11. 52-Week Mental Health Journal: Guided Prompts and Self-Reflection to Reduce Stress and Improve Wellbeing
- Written by: Cynthia Catchings
- Page count: 172
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This Journal guides readers through a year of self-discovery while providing a personal place to record thoughts and views. Each week there is a prompt related to mental health and wellness, with room to write down your thoughts on the subject.
The 52-Week Mental Health Journal is a high-quality journal created by the author Cynthia Catchings who is a psychotherapist, clinical social worker, and professional mental health consultant. This journal is a part of her ongoing goal of ensuring that people understand the importance of self-care for emotional problems and stress management.
12. Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions
- Written by: Russell Brand
- Page count: 288
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: This is a powerful book that will help you understand your addictive behaviors and motives, and guide you along the path to recovery.
Actor and comedian Russell Brand shares his own story and advice for those who have dealt with addiction of any kind, whether it’s drugs, alcohol or sex. He discusses the lessons he learned in overcoming addiction and how to help others do the same.
13. Mindful Movement in Psychotherapy
- Written by: Paul Salmon
- Page count: 278
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: By focusing on practicing mindfulness in the everyday life, this book shows you how to simplify your life and enjoy each moment.
In the book "Mindful Movement in Psychotherapy", Paul Salmon has curated and presented various tools and exercises for inducing mindfulness in daily lives. The book asks the reader to be mindful even when doing the most simple tasks in daily life like; walking, talking, breathing, eating, etc.
14. The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life
- Written by: Todd Herman
- Page count: 272
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: Inside every single one of us is a courageous version of ourselves that can be tapped into when needed. This book takes you on a journey of learning and discovering your strengths, powers, and unique qualities that you didn't know you had.
The author David R. Herman sets out to prove that we all have an alternate version of ourselves that can be activated when needed. This book has stories from salespeople, executives, entertainers, athletes, and other professional backgrounds about how they found success using their Inner Hero.
15. First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety
- Written by: Sarah Wilson
- Page count: 320
- Buy it here: Amazon
- Why readers love it: In this book, you will read about the highs and lows of coping with anxiety and the roller-coaster of emotions that come along with it. You'll learn about how people are impacted by anxiety, their struggles, and how you can support them.
In "First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety", bestselling author, Sarah Wilson shares her story of panic attacks and the journey that led her to get help. She details how she has found ways to manage the anxiety that work for her, including meditation and mindfulness.
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
