Books about Mental Illness & Mental Health
While this list of books about mental illness and mental health was originally created for the reading challenge, we think it’s a list of books that will remain relevant for years to come.
Mental illness and mental health were both taboo subjects until the pandemic through a glaring spotlight on how important it is to take care of our mental state as much as we take care of our bodies.
Add to that the growing number of celebrities that have spoken out about their battles with various mental illnesses, and you get a world that is finally ready to destigmatize this area of medicine.
I have found that my depth of understanding and compassion has 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.
These books about mental illness can be heavy, so be aware of your own mental health while reading them.
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Non-Fiction Books about Mental Illness
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.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books About Mental Illness / Books that Will Make You Cry / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read
Because We are Bad by Lily Bailey
This memoir was enthralling from the first line. Lily takes us into her mind as her OCD develops from girlhood through to the present.
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.
What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan
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.
I read this book as part of an upcoming 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 grace and thoughtfulness it deserves.
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 Assult
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: Books on Mental Illness / 20 Best Books of 2020 / The Ultimate List of the Best Non-Fiction Books / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
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. 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. Lori was a pleasure to interview and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.
For more mental health resources, renowned psychologist, Dr. Zuckerman lists her the best books for anxiety.
Books Set in a Mental Health Facility
The Rose Code
Author: Kate Quinn
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
While the main portion of this story features 3 code breakers at Bletchley during WWII, one of the main characters is dating Prince Philip. You know, the same Prince Philip who eventually marries the queen?
It’s a dual-timeline story and one of those storylines is set against the backdrop of Philip’s wedding to QE2.
Trigger Warnings
Death, child death, forced institutionalization
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a Kate Quinn royal novel, so the writing and story are both top-notch.
Find this book in: Ultimate List of Mystery Books / WWII Books / Royal Reads / Books With Color in the Title / Best Books of 2021 / Books With Flowers in the Title
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Let me start off by saying, this is no Big Little Lies. I love Moriarty when her works are based more on events that could actually happen – My Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies remain great contemporary fiction books on my list.
This story about nine strangers at a health retreat had an incredible start and then got insanely far-fetched. Mind you, I enjoyed it immensely, but you need to go in knowing that it’s an enjoyable read but nothing more.
The Silent Patient
Author: Alex Michaelides
Year: 2019
Genre: Thriller
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This popular thriller book was Michaelides’s debut novel and sold over 65 million copies for good reason. This psychological thriller sucked me in immediately – a woman murders her husband and then doesn’t say a word for 10 years.
Convinced he can help, a psychologist named Theo transfers to the facility where Alice is staying to try to get the real story behind the fateful night of the murder.
Soon, he will become obsessed with Alice and finding out the truth behind the murders.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide Attempt, mental illness
Why Kirsten likes it
This is my first Michaelides book and I can see why this is a bestseller. The story is fast moving and unpredictable and the plot sucked me in immediately.
Find this book in: Unreliable Narrator Books / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Best Psychological Thriller Books / Popular Thriller Books
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
Susanna’s gripping memoir of her time spend 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.
YA Books about Mental Illness
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Violet and Finch meet unexpectedly on the top of the bell tower at school. She is counting the days until graduation will take her away and he is finding reasons to keep on going.
This is a love story that you will not forget. This one deals with depression and teen suicide, so be aware of that if those are potential triggers.
Plot
Aza is a 16-year-old who, along with her best friend, is searching for a lost billionaire to get the reward money. Along the way, she finds Davis, the billionaire’s son, and her childhood friend. While trying to be the best she can be, she ignores the rising level of panic and anxiety that is tightening it’s grip on her.
Trigger Warnings
Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self-harm
Why Jackie loves it
Love, loss, and resilience are all themes in this book that captured my heart and kept me reading until the last page.
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books about Mental Illness / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
Plot
This middle-grade story is about a boy named Matthew who has severe OCD and has trouble leaving his house due to his anxiety. He has not gone to school and his hands bleed from washing them repeatedly. He spends his time at the window observing the neighborhood.
Matthew is the last person to have seen the toddler next door before the four-year-old disappeared. Now Matthew is thrust into the middle of the investigation to find the little boy before its too late. Can he leave his comfort zone to help?
Trigger Warnings
Severe anxiety
Why Jackie loves it
I love the fact that this book looks at the world from Matthew’s point of view. It is a very readable, eye-opening middle-grade mystery book for 13-year-olds
Find this book in: Best Books for a 11-Year-Old / The Best Mystery Books for Tweens / The Best Books of 2017 / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
If you are looking for anxiety books for teens, our list has picks chosen by an expert.
Books About Depression
25 Days ‘Til Christmas
Author: Poppy Alexander
Year: 2018
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I read 25 Days ‘til Christmas because I wanted a lovely, Christmas romance novel. The contemporary fiction story is about a single mother who decides to do an advent calendar of activities in the hopes of bringing life back to her home.
A cute guy befriends them and I thought I was getting the romance I was looking for. In actuality, the book takes a dark turn and deals with loneliness, depression, childhood disabilities, and grieving.
Trigger Warnings
Suicidal Thoughts
Why Kirsten loves it
It was so much deeper than I thought when looking at the peppy cover. I loved it. Truly. I wanted to personally walk into the pages of the book and lift her up when life knocked her down. I got the happy Christmas ending I wanted, but in a more meaningful way than I initially expected. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Find this book in: Christmas Books 2023 / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Mental Health Books / Christmas Book Club Books
All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle
This contemporary fiction book was my surprise star of the summer so far. I had not heard of the book and thought it sounded great. I loved every minute of it.
Hubert Bird is a widower who has weekly conversations with his daughter in Australia. He tells her amazing stories about how he spends his time. The problem? It is all made up.
With his daughter coming to visit, Hubert must find friends and a life to show his daughter.
Hubert gets a second chance at love and friendship but the book dives deeper into Hubert’s past as well. The depth and sincerity in this book are wonderful and I cannot say enough good things about this feel-good book from our list of books like A Man Called Ove.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Author: Gail Honeyman
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info: June 2107 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this contemporary fiction book initially. Initially, Eleanor’s behavior and responses to people and situations upset me. I had the outside perspective of a reader to understand how Eleanor is misinterpreting situations. She is not supposed to be likable initially which is why I persevered and ended up loving the book and Eleanor.
Eleanor has difficulty with social skills and is used to being alone until one day, she saves an elderly man who has fallen with the help of Raymond from her work. The three develop a friendship that helps Eleanor heal.
Trigger Warnings
Loneliness
Why Jackie loves it
As we get to know Eleanor and understand her profound loneliness, it made me think about what initial judgments I make in other areas. Eleanor is able to find herself and understand herself in this wonderful, feel-good book.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you love a character-driven novel, this is the book for you. Eleanor changes so much from the beginning of the story to the end, I loved taking the journey with her.
Find this book in: Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine / Books Like A Man Called Ove/ Books About Scotland / British Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Best Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books / Amnesia Books
A Man Called Ove
Author: Fredrik Backman
Year: 2014
Genre: Fiction
More info: A recent Motion Picture Called A Man Called Otto Starring Tom Hanks
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Ove is mourning the loss of his wife and is consumed with grief. He decided to end his life. His attempts are foiled by mishaps and interruptions from his new neighbors. While this sounds like a depressing book, I laughed out loud while reading it.
Mr. Backman has a beautiful way of capturing the reader’s interest with wonderful characters who find themselves in hilarious situations. But, this story is so much more than that. As it progresses, Ove is able to have a profound impact on the life of everyone he meets, and at its heart, it is a book about friendship.
But don’t let the description throw you off. At its heart, this is one of the best feel-good books and one of my all-time favorite books! If you have not read it, you should consider it for your book club.
Trigger Warnings
Attempted Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
The love and friendships that develop in this book are almost unmatched, in my opinion. Backman is a master story teller.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a book that allowed me to laugh and cry equally. I loved Ove and his second chance at living life.
Find this book in: Ultimate List of Contemporary Fiction / Books Like A Man Called Ove / Books About Friendship / Jackie’s Top 10 All-Time Favorite Books
Mornings with Rosemary by Libby Page
I picked up this book and couldn’t put it down. I loved it from start to finish. It was such a great read that is really in the spirit of “A Man Called Ove.” This intergenerational story of friendship, love and overcoming personal obstacles, touched my heart.
Kate is reporter whose dreams of becoming a star reporter have dissolved into writing fluff pieces for a small, local newspaper. She is almost paralyzed by her own fears and loneliness.
When she is assigned to write a piece about a local lido closing, she meets Rosemary Peterson. Rosemary is 86 years old and has been swimming at the lido her entire life. The unlikely friendship between these two women is heartwarming and you won’t want to put it down
Books About Substance Use Disorders
There are lots of books featuring drug addiction and alcoholism. There are a few listed below but a list of more than 25 books on our list of Fiction and Non-Fiction books about addiction.
We Begin at the End
Author: Chris Witaker
Year: 2021
Genre: Mystery
More info: Winner of the Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel from the Crime Writers’ Association (UK), Winner of the Best International Crime Fiction from the Australian Crime Writers Association, An Instant New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
Duchess Day Radley is 13 years old and extremely protective of her five-year-old brother and often acts as a parent to her own mother, Star. Walk is the town chief of police and has never forgiven himself for giving testimony that sent his best friend Vincent to jail for thirty years.
Now, Vincent is out of Jail and Starr is murdered. This is a story about family and found family.
Why Jackie loves it
I was not prepared for the emotional punch that this book delivered with each and every page. This is such a wonderfully written book.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2021 / Books about Mental Illness & Mental Health
Firekeeper’s Daughter
Author: Angeline Boulley
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Fiction
More info: Fall 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Firekeeper’s Daughter #1
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I have not read many books where the central characters are Indigenous American
While this is characterized as
Trigger Warnings
Drug Abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I did not know much about the Ojibwe culture before reading this book; the little bits about traditions and spirituality were fascinating. Each added more depth to the story and I could not put it down. The narration was wonderful and added to the story. #gifted by Macmillan Audio
Adaptation Information
President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, purchased the rights to this book via their production company, Higher Ground Productions. It’s scheduled to become a TV series on Netflix.
Find this book in: Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Books About Mental Illness / Fun Books for Teens / Books Becoming TV Series / Best Books of 2021 / Best Reese Witherspoon Books
Long Bright River
Author: Liz Moore
Year: 2020
Genre: Fiction
More info: February 2020 GMA Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The contemporary fiction story revolves around 2 sisters. One is a cop, one is an opioid addict – both are being impacted by a string of murders in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. This book dealt with many issues around drug addiction and it handles them without judging.
Trigger Warnings
Drug Addiction
Why Kirsten loves it
Long Bright River is phenomenal and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. The story takes place in Philly’s Kensington neighborhood which is known for having a huge opioid problem. You can’t live in my area and not know about the epidemic spreading through our city. It’s devastating and scary and this book deals with it head-on.
Adaptation Information
This TV series starring Amanda Seyfried is coming to Peacock in 2025.
Find this book in: Books Becoming TV Series / Best Contemporary Fiction Novels / Books About Mental Illness / Books About Addiction / Best Books of 2020
Daisy Jones & The Six
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: March 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The book is laid out like a VH1 Behind the Music style interview. It’s laid out in chronological order about the making of the band Daisy Jones & the Six, but the story is told in interview style from a dozen sources.
It’s a story about the music scene of the 1970s in Hollywood when the band The Six meets Daisy Jones and together they rocket to superstardom! Among the drama of touring, there is also a forbidden love story or two, and plenty of crazy parties!
It’s truly the perfect mix of historical fiction, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book needs to be listened to, not read. The audio version has a different narrator for each character and the performances are stupendous. I was overcome with emotion numerous times while I was listening.
Why Jackie loves it
This celebrity fiction story about the rise and fall of one of the hottest bands of the 70s was so utterly fabulous – it’s pure sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll in all the best ways.
Find this book in: Books Like Daisy Jones & The Six / Taylor Jenkins Reid Books Ranked / Books Set in the 70s / Full Cast Audiobooks / Ultimate Beach Reads 2020 / Books With Flowers in the Title / Best Reese Witherspoon Books
Books about Schizophrenia
I Know This Much is True
Author: Wally Lamb
Year: 1998
Genre: Fiction
More info: June 1998 Oprah Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a story of identical twin brothers, one of whom is a paranoid schizophrenic. When he shockingly mutilates himself, his brother must become his caretaker. It is powerful and heartbreaking.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide, Rape, Domestic abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I read this book more than 20 years ago, and I still feel emotional about this book. I have not re-read it to see if it has withstood the test of time, but I do not doubt that it has.
Find this book in: Long Books / Books About Mental Illness / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books
Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
The Prince of Tides is the story of Tom and his troubled twin sister Savannah. As we follow Tom’s journey to understand and help his sister, he must confront his past and his family.
Something about Tom delving into the deepest family secrets had me sobbing. This is one of the books set in the 70s worth reading.
Books About Eating Disorders
She’s Come Undone
Author: Wally Lamb
Year: 1992
Genre: Fiction
More info: December 1996 Oprah Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This emotional, character-driven novel covers the female protagonist’s journey through adolescence into womanhood. It’s a heavy story examining her eating disorder, her subsequent stay at an inpatient facility, her suicide attempt, and more. It’s a wonderful, moving story.
Trigger Warnings
Eating Disorder, Rape
Why Jackie loves it
I often do not like books in which the female main character is written by a man. Wally Lamb does this with ease in this funny and poignant coming-of-age story.
Find this book in: Book About Mental Illness / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books
Milk Fed by Melissa Border
Rachel is a 24-year-old woman who has serious food issues stemming from her mother. She is obsessed with maintaining her body and her image while craving nurturing, unconditional love and food.
For Rachel, food and love are the same. When she starts a 90-day detox from her mother, Rachel meets Miriam, an overweight orthodox Jewish woman working is a yogurt shop.
There was so much about this contemporary fiction LGBTQ book that I really enjoyed but there were parts that I found so strange. Her fantasies about food were strange. Her sexual desires linked to mothering were disturbing to me. Overall, the book was well-written but not a favorite.
The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib
Man, I tackled some heavy books earlier this month. This contemporary fiction was a look inside an in-patient treatment facility for those suffering from an eating disorder.
This fictional account, had me rooting for all the women suffering as I prayed they would be able to help themselves enough to be released.
I had no idea just how complicated and hard to overcome an eating disorder could be or how easy it is to trigger it again. Still, this story ends on an uplifting note.
Fiction Books About Mental Illness
Darling Rose Gold
Author: Stephanie Wrobel
Year: 2020
Genre: Thriller
More info: USA Today and Edgar Award-nominated Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Don’t let the gorgeous cover of this book fool you. Darling Rose Gold is a dark and sinister look at a dysfunctional, abusive mother-daughter relationship.
For 18 years, Rose Gold thought that she was always one step away from death but no tests could ever find anything wrong with her. Her mother, Patty Watts goes to jail for 5 years for child abuse and when she gets out, Rose Gold lets Patty move in with her.
Trigger Warnings
Child Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I couldn’t put this book down and I can’t give much about the story away without ruining it. If you are a thriller lover, this one is for you.
Find this book in: Best Psychological Thriller Books / Best Thriller Books / Books with Colors in the Title / Books about Mental Illness & Mental Health
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Recently made into an HBO mini-series, this story is another dark one from the writer of Gone Girl. This was a psychological thriller and mystery, and it was fabulous! I’ve recommended this story to so many people — it’s so much better than Gone Girl.
When 2 girls are found murdered in her dingy old town, a reporter is sent to investigate. In the process, she digs up some old wounds and resurrects family drama.
The Woman in the Window: A Novel
Author: A.J. Finn
Year: 2018
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Time Bestseller
Age Range:16+
Plot
If you love old movies, you will adore this book. It is a spin on Hitchcock’s Rear Window and features an agoraphobic narrator who is often unreliable.
Anna Fox lives alone in her house. She is agoraphobic and cannot leave, so she sits at her window and watches everyone in the neighborhood.
When she sees something across the street, she is sure there has been a crime but, what is real and what is imagined? Amy Adams stars in the Netflix adaptation of this book.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love the nod to Hitchcock. It puts a new spin on a classic!
Why Jackie loves it
I love the fact that I was never sure what was real and what was made up. This is a book with an unreliable narrator that I really liked/
Find this book in: Unreliable Narrator Books / Psychological Thriller Books / Books About Mental Illness / Popular Thriller Books / Amnesia Books
The Perfect Daughter
Author: DJ Palmer
Year: 2021
Genre: thriller
More info: Bestselling Author of The Husband
Age Range: 16+
Plot
When police come to Grace’s door, she is terrified that something has happened to her teenage daughter, Penny. Instead, she finds out her daughter has been arrested for murder.
What follows is a year and a half in a psychiatric facility while Penny awaits her trial and experts try to determine if the multiple personalities are real or a made-up ruse to get away with murder. Because Eve, the protector, has kept Penny and the other personalities away.
Trigger Warnings
Mental illness
Why Kirsten loves it
This thriller is brilliantly crafted and had me guessing until the very end. Thank you to Macmillian Audio for my ALC of this book. It was amazing to listen to as each personality had a distinct voice. If you are looking for books that are psychological thrillers, this is one that I couldn’t put down!
Why Jackie Loves it
This thriller was so well-written. I was impressed by the way Palmer wrote the Dissociative Identity Disorder. I am not an expert in this area at all so I have no idea if this is accurate, but the entire premise made the story compelling and unputdownable
Find this book in:Books about Mental Illness / Best Psychological Thriller Books
