Being a teenager is tough for everyone. The already confusing time can become more overwhelming if you begin developing thoughts or feelings that don’t seem quite right. Everyone experiences ups and downs and emotions caused by the many pressures of adolescence. But for some teens there is something deeper and more complex at work. It is a difficult time to recognize that there is something wrong, and it can be even harder to ask for help. Fortunately, mental health treatment has moved beyond its primitive practices, but there is still the stigma and general public ignorance to contend with.
May is Mental Health Month, and it serves to raise awareness and provide support. These are also things that literature strives to do; books can educate while making you feel less alone in the world. Here is a list of books that cover a range of topics and issues. The stories and characters can help you along your own journey or better understand the illness of someone you love. Please feel free to comment with other titles that may be helpful.
As much as I love to extol the healing power of books, they alone cannot mend a person with mental illness. If you are looking to develop a treatment plan, youthpagescle.org is an extensive directory that includes a variety of counseling, support groups, etc. And remember, it is always brave to get to know your own mind a little better!
Bipolar Disorder
Crazy by Amy Reed
When We Collided by Emery Lord
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Anger-Related Issues and Violent Behavior
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
Reality Boy by A.S. King
Schizophrenia
Made You Up by Francesca Zappia
Your Voice Is All I Hear by Leah Scheier
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
PTSD and Recovery from Abuse
These Gentle Wounds by Helene Dunbar
I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Depression
Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick
Hyperbole and A Half by Allie Brosh
It’s Kind of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
Lexapros and Cons by Aaron Karo
Addiction
Clean by Amy Reed
Zoo Station by Christiane F.
Beneath A Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson
Suicidal Thoughts and Urges
My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford
Eating Disorders
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Paperweight by Meg Haston
Wasted by Marya Hornbacher
Coping with Loss from Suicide
Hold Still by Nina La Cour
The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard
Self-Harm
Break by Hannah Moskowitz
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
Bait by Alex Sanchez
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti
Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets Evan Roskos
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
