Five Book Recommendations for Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know May is Mental Health Awareness Month? It has been observed in the U.S. since May 1949. It was founded by Mental Health America to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote mental health education.

One amazing way to celebrate MHAM is to read books about teens with mental health challenges. Check out these five books below:

1. Darius the Great is Not Okay: Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.
2. Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand: All Nitasha's parents want is for her to be the perfect Indian daughter--something she is decidedly not. Everything she does seems to disappoint them, especially her mom. They just don't get that she'll never be like her doctor older brother. To make matters worse, she's never quite felt like she belongs at school either, and lately, her best friend, Ava, and her crush, Henry, seem to be more interested in the rich new girl than in her. Alcohol takes the edge off, but when that doesn't work, Nitasha turns to cutting. She can't stop asking herself: Will she ever be enough for her friends or her family? Or even for herself?
3. Forever is Now by Mariama J. Lockington: When sixteen-year-old Sadie, a Black bisexual recluse, develops agoraphobia the summer before her junior year, she relies on her best friend, family, and therapist to overcome her fears. On a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend's arms. Sadie feels safe. She's been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety and is hopeful better times are ahead. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news, and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality, Sadie's whole world is upended in an instant. Not feeling safe anywhere, Sadie retreats inside herself. When her therapist diagnoses Sadie with agoraphobia, she starts on a path of healing. Her best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. How can you show up for your community when you can't even leave your house? 
4.  The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonido Reyes: Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in a last-ditch effort to stay in the closet, he’s come out to Mami, his sister, Yami, and their friends, taken his meds faithfully, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal. Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts—the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalizations stay buried where he wants them. Cesar can hide a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his “gifted” reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark choice: burn every bridge he has left or, worse -- ask for help.
5. The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza: Ever since cancer invaded his adoptive mother's life, Brett feels like he's losing everything, most of all control. To cope, Brett fuels all of his anxieties into epic fantasies, including his intergalactic Kid Condor comic book series, which features food constellations and characters not unlike those in his own life.But lately Brett's grip on reality has started to lose its hold. The fictions he's been telling himself - about his unattractive body, the feeling that he's a burden to his best friend, that he's too messed up to be loved - have consumed him completely, and Brett will do anything to forget about the cosmic-sized hole in his chest, even if it's unhealthy. But when Brett's journal and deepest insecurities are posted online for the whole school to see, Brett realizes he can no longer avoid the painful truths of his real-life narrative. As his eating disorder escalates, Brett must be honest with the people closest to him, including his new and fierce friend Mallory who seems to know more about Brett's issues than he does. With their support, he just might find the courage to face the toughest reality of all.

If you or someone you know is struggling, some of these books might be inspiring, while others might be difficult to read. I hope some of you will see your experiences and challenges reflected on the page.

For more recommendations, check out our booklists. Feel free to share your own recommendations in the comments below.

For more information about mental health and available resources, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)'s guide for teens and young adults. 

If you or someone you know needs emotional support now, call / text 988 or chat online for free.