Books are an eternal source of knowledge wisdom and guidance. They are friends, philosophers, and guides. But when it comes to Mental health, it becomes a topic of taboo to talk or even write about. Yet, in this article, you will find the list of books that have dared to speak about mental health issues.
From personal experiences of Rachel Kelly to the candid writing of Sean and Dr. Carlson, these self-help books are exactly what you need to give yourself a boost.
1. Feeling Good – ‘The New Mood therapy’ Dr. David D Burns
In this book the root causes of anxiety, anger, guilt, low mood and self-esteem are discussed. The dysfunctional attitudes [in fact, there is also a test on it] and Beck’s Depression Inventory, gives an overall view of Cognitive distortions that will help to know the thoughts that lead to frustration, guilt, self-blame, pessimism, procrastination, etc.
This book also focuses on how not to let criticism affect your morale and deal with love and approval addiction.
2. Black Rainbow: How words healed me: my journey through depression by Rachel Kelly
The book has a unique style of poetry narrative and focuses on how words can help in uplifting a person’s mood.
Rachel Kelley was a working mother and Times journalist. She had two episodes of depression that incapacitated her and put her on antidepressants.
In ‘Black Rainbow’ Rachel who has always been a poetry lover, used the healing words of poetry as one of the answers to depression, and the book enlists a selected 40 poems that provided Rachel with solace and comfort during her breakdown and recovery.
This is a lifeline for people suffering from low mood and depression or for anyone seeking to understand depression and seek new ways to treat it. It is free and there are no side effects!
3. Walking on Sunshine: 52 Small Steps to Happiness by Rachel Kelly
It is a book for each week of the year and gives out small tools and strategies that help to manage post-depression stage and be positive.
It is a first-hand account and enlists simple solutions to everyday situations in life, work, travel, children issues and other self-experience.
4. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Dr. Richard Carlson
Dr. Richard Carlson, in his pioneering book, shows how we get worked up with small things that take away time and resources from us. What we can do to let these things stop affecting us and take control of life is explained in encouraging ways.
When we put things in the right perspective – making small changes and learning to question our reactions we can see the bigger vision for our life.
5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Men by Dr. Richard Carlson
This book acknowledges various facets of a male psychology. Right from how to manage competitive nature, maintaining male friendships, maintaining good relations with spouse, being more gender-neutral, cast your choices in a positive light (“be in favor of simplicity” rather than “against clutter and chaos”) etc.
To sum up it focuses on how to “calculate the number of things that went right today” and observe that there’s no bad weather, “only different kinds of good weather.” Life, he reminds us, is “too precious to take be taken for granted.”
Other books in this series are:
Richard Carlson with wife Kristine helps to relieve anger, heartaches associated with love that may cause stress. Overreactions to our loved ones can be draining, so how to prevent them and taking criticism positively is outlined. Many past things in relationships cause bad blood, releasing them and enjoying each other’s company and gratitude for each other increasing the bonding in relationships is the essence of this book.
It depicts how to interact more peacefully and happily with colleagues, clients, and bosses and reveals tips to minimize stress and bring out the best in themselves and others.
6. 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Sean Covey
Sean Covey dedicated this book to teenage challenge and the turmoil and need to be make effective choices.
This book is interesting and gives a proper guide to enhance self-esteem, build life skills of developing good social skills, overcoming the peer pressure, being goal centric, and having effective communication with parents.
The book is power packed with real experiences of teens , quotes and can be a good read for parents and people who come in contact with teenagers to motivate and guide them.
Other books in this series are:
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Work Book
7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
7. When Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
Twenty-four-year-old Veronika had it all to be happy from good looks to job to a loving family and boyfriend. But yet she took the step of committing suicide and was saved. She finds herself at a mental hospital where she does not have much time left to live.
‘Veronika Decides to Die’ questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into stereotypes of what society considers to be normal. Bold and illuminating, it is a dazzling portrait of a young woman at the crossroads of desperation and freedom, and a poetic, exuberant appreciation of each day as a renewed opportunity.
8. A New Earth Eckhart Tolle
In A New Earth, in a narrative way through anecdotes, Tolle explains how we can went beyond his ego and became happier.
Being attached causes the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness. How we overcome this and seek ways to lead a fulfilling life and learn to do things differently is what is covered in the book.
