Books To Boost Mental Health
Ellen Jones
In April, The Reading Agency announced its Reading Well campaign - a booklist about mental health and emotional wellbeing for 13 to 18 year olds, which can be prescribed by doctors and which will be available in all public libraries.
Unquestionably, there is a need for reliable, accessible information for young people regarding mental health, given that approximately 1 in 10 teenagers suffer from a diagnosable mental health issue. These books have been selected by a group of experts and young people to ensure the information is both reliable but also engaging and relevant (as someone who has read ¾ of the titles, I can assure you they were excellent).
Question: do you have a brain? If so (and I imagine you do because you’ve just read that) you have a mental health, one which needs looking after in the same way your physical health does. The pressures of the modern world – school stress, bullying, social pressures, family issues – can all seriously detriment your mental wellbeing. These books can help you learn how to deal with different issues you may face throughout your life.
Perhaps the most interesting and exciting aspect of the list is the inclusion fiction alongside so-called ‘self-help’ type books. Titles such as Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Every Day by David Levithan.
Fiction, I would argue, can be just as influential on a person’s wellbeing as more obviously informative books. It is well-known that teenagers suffering from mental health issues can feel isolated; being able to recognise yourself within the realms of fiction can be an immense comfort and reassurance to young people that they are not alone. No matter how removed from your own circumstances the premise may be, the ability of books to connect the reader to a character and their turmoil is unquestionably powerful in re-affirming and validating their emotions.
At the very least, books can function as a form of escapism, as a way of getting out of your own head and redirecting your focus away from your own problems. And the fantastic thing about this is that it doesn’t really matter what you are reading - Zoe Suggs’ Girl Online might not be the most intellectually engaging text, but who am I to judge if it gives you a moment of reprieve?
It might be easy to dismiss this as merely praise from a self-confessed book nerd (I probably resembled Roald Dahl’s Matilda as a child) but honestly, whether I’m reading George Orwell or Caitlin Moran, books have always been essential in helping me cope with life. I understand the measurable, positive impact of books have had upon my own wellbeing, hence why I am so glad their power and influence is being acknowledged and promoted.
Of course, these books are not intended to be a cure-all and some people will need to seek other forms of help. However, given the limited provision for mental health services, these books may provide some support people who need them, whether that is through providing practical tips or else by providing them a form of escapism.
If you would like to read some of the books, you can find them in the Wellbeing Seciton within the school library (in the corner by the blue chairs). If you have any questions, do feel free to ask the Librarian.
Unquestionably, there is a need for reliable, accessible information for young people regarding mental health, given that approximately 1 in 10 teenagers suffer from a diagnosable mental health issue. These books have been selected by a group of experts and young people to ensure the information is both reliable but also engaging and relevant (as someone who has read ¾ of the titles, I can assure you they were excellent).
Question: do you have a brain? If so (and I imagine you do because you’ve just read that) you have a mental health, one which needs looking after in the same way your physical health does. The pressures of the modern world – school stress, bullying, social pressures, family issues – can all seriously detriment your mental wellbeing. These books can help you learn how to deal with different issues you may face throughout your life.
Perhaps the most interesting and exciting aspect of the list is the inclusion fiction alongside so-called ‘self-help’ type books. Titles such as Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Every Day by David Levithan.
Fiction, I would argue, can be just as influential on a person’s wellbeing as more obviously informative books. It is well-known that teenagers suffering from mental health issues can feel isolated; being able to recognise yourself within the realms of fiction can be an immense comfort and reassurance to young people that they are not alone. No matter how removed from your own circumstances the premise may be, the ability of books to connect the reader to a character and their turmoil is unquestionably powerful in re-affirming and validating their emotions.
At the very least, books can function as a form of escapism, as a way of getting out of your own head and redirecting your focus away from your own problems. And the fantastic thing about this is that it doesn’t really matter what you are reading - Zoe Suggs’ Girl Online might not be the most intellectually engaging text, but who am I to judge if it gives you a moment of reprieve?
It might be easy to dismiss this as merely praise from a self-confessed book nerd (I probably resembled Roald Dahl’s Matilda as a child) but honestly, whether I’m reading George Orwell or Caitlin Moran, books have always been essential in helping me cope with life. I understand the measurable, positive impact of books have had upon my own wellbeing, hence why I am so glad their power and influence is being acknowledged and promoted.
Of course, these books are not intended to be a cure-all and some people will need to seek other forms of help. However, given the limited provision for mental health services, these books may provide some support people who need them, whether that is through providing practical tips or else by providing them a form of escapism.
If you would like to read some of the books, you can find them in the Wellbeing Seciton within the school library (in the corner by the blue chairs). If you have any questions, do feel free to ask the Librarian.