Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
In the last number of years, a growing number of celebrities have spoken out about their battles with various mental illnesses. With this comes a world that is finally ready to destigmatize this area of medicine. These nonfiction books about mental health are powerful books that gave me a better understanding of the topic.
I have found that my depth of understanding and compassion have been enhanced by reading the books below. You’ll find books about mental illnesses like schizophrenia, eating disorders, substance abuse, and OCD, as well as mental health books that address anxiety, depression, and suicide. If you are looking for a list of fiction books about mental health, I have a wonderful list of books you will love.
The Best Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Memoir About Mental Health
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen – Jump to section
The Best Nonfiction About Mental Health
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker – Jump to section
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Memoirs About Mental Health
Girl, Interrupted
Author: Susanna Kaysen
Year: 2013
Genre: Memoir
More info: 30th Anniversary Edition, National Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Susanna’s gripping memoir of her time spent in a mental hospital in the ’60s is a book that I still think about years after reading.
Her detailed history of the facility, the patients, and her experience made for a page-turning story that inspired the fictionalized movie starring Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder.
Trigger Warnings
Mental Health
Why Kirsten loves it
This is an eye-opening memoir. It broke my heart to learn about what happened in mental health facilities and the treatment of patients at the hands of their caregivers. The modern treatments for mental health may not be perfect, but they are far better than what we used to have access to.
Find this book in: Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Author: Jennette McCurdy
Year: 2022
Genre: Memoir
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Jeanette Mccurdy, star of the shows iCarly and Sam and Cat, has written her heartbreaking memoir. Forced into acting at 6 years old by a mentally ill and unstable mother, Jeanette lived her life trying to make her mother happy. The result was an eating disorder, addiction, and abuse.
Trigger Warnings
Eating disorders, Child abuse, Emotional abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this coming-of-age book and found it hard to put down but also extremely difficult to listen to at times because it is such a sad book.
Adaptation
Jennifer Aniston is on board to produce and star in the adaptation of McCurdy’s memoir. McCurdy will co-produce and she is writing the script with Ari Katcher for Apple Tv.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books that Will Make You Cry / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best Nonfiction Books / Books Becoming Movies / The Best Audiobooks of All Time / Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
Plot
This moving memoir was written by Geraldine Brooks to help her process the unexpected death of her husband, Tony Horwitz a few years prior. She had not grieved properly because of the release of her Pulitzer prize-winning book, Horse, so she takes herself to a remote island to be in isolation and process her feelings.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Spouse
Why Kirsten loves it
I was moved by Brooks’ candor about her grieving process. She lets us into her deepest, most private thoughts as she oscillates between telling the story of what happened to her husband and the immediate aftermath of his death and why, years later, she finally decides to grieve properly. It was hard to read at times, but I believe it will be very helpful for others in similar circumstances and for friends and family wishing to support loved ones suffering a loss. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Celebrity Memoirs / Best Nonfiction Books of 2025 / Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
Plot
This memoir was enthralling from the first line. Lily takes us into her mind as her OCD develops from girlhood through to the present.
Trigger Warnings
Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Eating Disorder
Why Kirsten loves it
Her raw portrayal of mental illness was difficult to read at times but helped me to understand more about OCD. I was connected to her thoughts in a way I’ve never experienced before. A must-read for anyone with a loved one who has this disorder.
Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
Author: Robert Kolker
Year: 2020
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: June 2020 Oprah’s Book Club Pick
#1 New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Stop everything and add Hidden Valley Road to your TBR now!! All I can say is wow! This favorite is one of the best books on Mental Illness and an absolutely fascinating non-fiction book.
This is the amazing story of Don and Mimi Galvin, whose family paved the way for schizophrenia research over the past 50 years. Of their 12 children- 10 sons and 2 daughters, 6 of the boys have schizophrenia.
The struggles of this family to survive through the age of lobotomies and institutionalization provide a look into the history of this disorder. It’s unbelievable to think how far we’ve come, and yet, we are not even close to understanding this disease.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide, Mental illness, Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
I think it’s unbelievable to think how far we’ve come, and yet, we are not even close to understanding this disease. I could not put this book down.
Why Jackie loves it
I found this book to be absolutely fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time. It is still shocking to me how much we do not understand about the human mind and how much stigma there is with mental illness.
Find this book in: Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health / 20 Best Books of 2020 / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books / Best Nonfiction Books / Oprah Book Club List 2020
What Made Maddy Run
Author: Kate Fagan
Year: 2018
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: National Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
What an emotional non-fiction book about Madison’s life, her pressures, and her mental state leading up to her suicide. I remember when Madison’s suicide happened here in Philadelphia.
I was 8 months pregnant at the time. It was a tragedy that was all over the news as parents everywhere felt the pain of Madison’s parents.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this book in prep for a book discussion at a local community center that works on suicide prevention. I learned so much about suicide from this book, which handled the subject with the grace and thoughtfulness it deserves.
Find this book in: Books About Women in Sports / Best Nonfiction Books / Books About Sports / Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Author: Lori Gottlieb
Year: 2021
Genre: Memoir
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was so intrigued by the concept of a therapist talking about her own experience in therapy and how it relates to her clients. It was fascinating and filled with insight that is relevant to how we all live our lives and how we relate to the community around us.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Cancer, Suicidal Thoughts, Alcoholism
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this non-fiction book in a few short days after finding out I would be interviewing Lori Gottlieb for a local charity event. The book was unlike any other, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lori was a pleasure to interview. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.
Find this book in: Memoirs and Nonfiction Books About Mental Health
Expert Tip
Reading a nonfiction book about mental illness is not always the right choice for everyone. It may also be the wrong time to read these books.
- Have a look at the trigger warnings in each of these descriptions to make sure that this is a book that will not be triggering for you.
- Jackie and I have read them all. Have a look at the descriptions to see which books appeal to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good books about mental health?
Some of the best nonfiction books about mental health include Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker and What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan. For mental health memoirs, I recommend Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen and Because We Are Bad by Lily Bailey.
Epilouge
Did you read any of these memoirs and nonfiction books about mental health? Is there anything I’m missing that you recommend? Let me know below!!
