These 6 mental health books will feed your soul as well as your mind

Are you perpetually bitten by the book bug? Here are 5 mind-boggling suggestions if you’re looking for something related to mental health.
book reading
books can give your mental health a much-needed nudge. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Shreya Gupta Published: 24 Jan 2020, 17:00 pm IST
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Books are a perfect escape that can help you unwind and create your own comfort zone. While it’s a great way to spend some quality ‘me-time’, it also acts as a great mirror that brings forth the reality and speaks the unspeakable.

Mental disorders often make people feel lonely and aloof. While it’s necessary for you to go and see a doctor when you have symptoms of any mental disorder, you can always bring a book to your rescue in an attempt to feel at ease—mentally.

Scroll through and add these mental health books to your reading list RN:

1. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
This book takes you through a journey of grief, love, and finding your identity in a mesmerising way. It focuses on mental illness and its impact on the family and gives a deeper insight into the fact that despite all the external support, in the end, it’s the person with depression who has to really work and struggle against the illness. All in all, it will tug at your heartstrings.

books on mental health
Image courtesy: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

2. Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson,2019
You’ll find comfort and hope in this powerfully written memoir. This book talks about the depressive behaviour that a person develops because of society’s hurtful message—being gay means happiness and love isn’t for them. Shaun takes the reader through his journey of self-acceptance.

books on mental health
Image courtesy: Simon and Schuster

Also, read: This is how you can become a true ally to your LGBTQ+ friends

3. Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression — and the Unexpected Solutions by Johann
‘Lost connection’ is a must-read for anyone who is trying their best to cope with depression and anxiety. The book challenges the popular belief that depression is fundamentally an imbalance of hormones.

It doesn’t give a cure or solution to our anguish, but it is the start of something beautiful and of communication and connection with yourself.

books on mental health
Image courtesy: Bloomsbury Publishing

4. First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety by Sarah Wilson
The book offers comfort, humor, and companionship to anyone living with the beast—anxiety. This is probably one of the best books that addresses the issue of anxiety and divulges how to walk through it and reclaim the control of your life.

The author describes the positive effects of meditating, hiking, and quitting sugar. And yeah, there are science-backed tips and evidences too!

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PERSONALISE NOW
books on mental health
Image courtesy: Random House

5. My Little Epiphanies by Aisha Chowdhury
If you’ve watched ‘The Sky Is Pink’, you would be already knowing about this book. But for the uninitiated, this book was published just a day before Aisha died.

She was born with a rare immune deficiency and underwent a major surgery when she was just six months old. Though it’s a small read, it’s filled with doodles and gives a great insight into all the things that went through her mind during those hardships—you’ll find the strength to survive and purpose to hold on, trust us.

Image courtesy: Bloomsbury Publishing

6. I’ve Never Been (Un) Happier by Shaheen Bhatt
The Indian author has addressed the issue of depression along with the taboos and stigma attached to it. She has described her feelings with brilliant use of metaphors and attempts to takes us all through her mind with comfort and solidarity.

Image courtesy: Penguin Random House India Private

So, now that you have the list, find a cozy corner for yourself and sip on your favourite cuppa while reading these books. Happy reading!

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About the Author

Finding nirvana in good food, Shreya also loves reading books and is a die-hard Potterhead. Confident and motivated she's fun to be with. Plus food. Always. ...Read More

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