10 Moving Must-Reads About Mental Health
Though September has come to an end, the generous work of storytelling and listening in service of each other’s spirits doesn’t have to. In belated honor of World Mental Health Day and National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, here are some important reads centered around mental health and wellness — from searing stories of personal struggles and resilience; to guides on providing nurturing care to loved ones; to the science behind harnessing grief and anxiety for good. We hope you connect with each story as they offer tools for reflection and transformation, and know that you are not alone.
I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying: Essays by Bassey Ikpi
In this debut memoir, Bassey Ikpi chronicles her experiences before and after being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. Beginning in Nigeria, Ikpi’s collection of essays explores her migration to the United States as a child; her evolving relationships with loved ones; her lifelong mental health struggles; and her advocacy work. A seasoned slam poet, Ikpi’s prose is tender and poignant. Though the writer notes her inability to remember parts of her life and the fragmentation that follows — informing readers that her truths may be interpolated with lies, that there is no easy answer or ending — it is precisely this honesty that deems the collection nothing short of beautiful.
Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion by Dr. Wendy Suzuki
Often, the uncomfortable parts of ourselves and difficult moments that we try to run from or dampen are the very things that help us grow. Combining brain plasticity research with her personal story of grappling with grief after a devastating loss, renowned neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki offers a comprehensive guide to embracing anxiety for the better. Sharp and insightful, the book provides a compassionate roadmap for readers to hone their self-understanding by honoring their emotions in full.
The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays by Esmé Weijun Wang
Beginning with the process of being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, Esmé Weijun Wang intertwines her story with careful research and philosophical inquiry. Wang’s writing expertly moves from intimate, firsthand experiences to their wider social frames — from explorations of societal misconceptions; the failures of the higher education system; complex co-morbidities of chronic illnesses; to medical discrepancies of diagnosis and the possible dangers of institutionalization. The writer’s essays are as fragmented as they are far-reaching — an undeniably powerful read for readers affected by psychosis and those seeking to support them.
Has Your Child Been Traumatized? How to Know and What to Do to Promote Healing and Recovery by Dr. Melissa Goldberg Mintz
Though many psychology and parenting guides address raising children to be resilient before experiencing an adverse event, few books attend to children, and parents of children, who have already been traumatized. Psychologist Dr. Melissa Goldberg Mintz takes on this challenge in her debut book for parents filled with clinical research, case studies, helpful strategies, and gripping anecdotes. What follows is an invaluable guide to strengthening caregivers’ bonds with children and providing nurturing support amidst unimaginable challenges.
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
As the effects of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, or C-PTSD, become more widely acknowledged by the public, there’s still a long way to go regarding research, treatment, and diagnosis. Award-winning journalist and radio producer Stephanie Foo breaks the silence as she maps conversations with medical professionals and undergoes different therapies after withstanding adolescent abuse. Foo’s memoir extends beyond herself as she investigates the impact of intergenerational and immigrant trauma in both her Californian community and Malaysian family. Intimate and informative, Foo carves a space for herself and others experiencing similar circumstances through her writing — a groundbreaking force of personal agency and hope.
Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
In this intricate and provocative memoir, Kiese Laymon exposes the violence of power structures both private and institutional as he reflects on his experiences growing up as a Black man in Mississippi. The writer voices his complicated relationships with his weight; sexuality and experiences of sexual violence; struggles with gambling; poverty; and his journey in coming to terms with his mother’s intimacy and abuse. Laymon’s writing is skillfully layered and unflinching — heavy with tenderness and trepidation for the histories that make us, and the weight of love in our lives.
The Only Way Out is Through: A Ten-Step Journey from Grief to Wholeness by Dr. Gail Gross
Dr. Gail Gross writes from the perspective of an esteemed human behavior expert and educator, but also a mother grieving the sudden loss of her daughter. Blending personal memoir with analytical psychology, the book presents a thoughtful approach to healing after undergoing an unspeakable loss or life transition. For readers interested in reorienting a new reality for themselves, Gross offers a way forward — not without grief, but alongside it.
Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir by Wil Wheaton
While revisiting his book written in 2004, Just a Geek, celebrated actor and mental health advocate Wil Wheaton reflects on his past professional work; relationships; childhood traumas; battles with depression and anxiety; and his ongoing path to finding fulfillment. Marked by a mix of witty, heart-rending, and informative footnotes, the memoir’s structure is definitely unique, and Wheaton doesn’t shy away from accountability. The result is a stunning portrayal of the liminal space between the people we are and the people we have been — and, ultimately, what it means to learn, falter, remember, and grow.
Talking to the Sky: A Memoir of Living My Best Life in a Sh!t Show by Aimee Mayo
Raised in an Alabaman household entangled in addiction and abuse, Aimee Mayo coped by compulsively writing songs and diary entries. As she transitioned into adulthood, chaos struck — including accidentally burning down her house and enduring a violent marriage — until the weight felt unbearable and Mayo attempted suicide. Eventually moving to Nashville to better her life, the award-winning singer-songwriter recounts the thorny treatment and triumphs of women in the country music industry. Much like her songs, Mayo’s voice is undoubtedly memorable as she weaves a story both harrowing, heartfelt, and humorous.
When Worry Works: How to Harness Your Parenting Stress and Guide Your Teen to Success by Dr. Dana Dorfman
Psychotherapist Dr. Dana Dorfman addresses one of the primary catalysts to the national youth mental health crisis — achievement pressure. This pressure doesn’t just extend to teens, however; while parents and caregivers aim to support their adolescents, their own achievement anxiety may inadvertently exacerbate the situation. Combining thirty years of clinical practice with her own parenting experiences, Dorfman provides careful insights and reflective prompts for parents seeking to sharpen their self-awareness, improve their emotional regulation, and forge better relationships. Out this winter, this book is one you don’t want to miss.
Remember that your wellbeing is a priority year-round. If you or a loved one are struggling with your mental health, please consider the resources below.
Mental Health Resources (U.S.):
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988
Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741–741
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): Call 1 (866) 488–7836
Veterans Crisis Line: Text 835–255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: Call 1 (800) 950–6264
