Mental Health Awareness Month
Nationally observed since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month shines the spotlight on those living with mental health conditions which—according to the World Health Organization—includes depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite great strides made in available treatments, there is still substantial stigma surrounding mental health disorders, especially because many conditions are invisible, leaving those who experience them—or their caregivers—feeling isolated. In an effort to eradicate the shame associated with these invisible illnesses, we’ve put together a select list of books for all different types of readers that show the various ways that people are impacted by and manage their mental health conditions, and to highlight and normalize the importance of seeking help when it’s needed.
Ages 4-6
Anxious, by Luciana De Luca; illus. by Natalí Barbani (Annick Press) — Fiction, Picture Book, Concepts, Mental / Physical Health, Disabilities, ages 4-6.
The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind, by Fiona Carswell; illus. by Yu Rong (Benchmark Education / Reycraft Books) — Fiction, Picture Book, Disabilities, Friendships, Kindness / Generosity, ages 4-6.
Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf, by Craig Barr-Green; illus. by Francis Martin (Kane Miller) — Fiction, Picture Book, Disabilities, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Friendships, ages 4-6.
My Elephant is Blue, by Melinda Szymanik; illus. by Vasanti Unka (Flyaway Books) — Fiction, Picture Book, Mental / Physical Health, Disabilities, Social Emotional Learning, ages 4-6.
Too Much!: An Overwhelming Day, by Jolene Gutiérrez; illus. by Angel Chang (Abrams / Abrams Appleseed) — Fiction, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Mental / Physical Health, Disabilities, Social Emotional Learning, ages 4-6.
Up and Down Mom, written & illustrated by Summer Macon (Child’s Play International) — Fiction, Picture Book, Mental / Physical Health, Family / Community, Disabilities, ages 4-6.
Ages 7-12
Good Different, by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Scholastic Press) — Fiction, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Disabilities, Mental / Physical Health, Social Emotional Learning, ages 7-12.
Henry and the Something New, by Jenn Bailey; illus. by Mika Song (Chronicle Books) — Fiction, Early Reader, Disabilities, Friendships, Kindness / Generosity, ages 7-12.
Iveliz Explains It All, by Andrea Beatriz Arango; illus. by Alyssa Bermudez (Random House Books for Young Readers) — Fiction, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Mental / Physical Health, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Cultural Diversity, ages 7-12.
Louder Than Hunger, by John Schu (Candlewick Press) — Fiction, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Mental / Physical Health, Coming of Age, Contemporary, ages 7-12.
Maya Plays the Part, by Calyssa Erb (Annick Press) — Fiction, Prose, Disabilities, Coming of Age, Friendships, ages 7-12.
A Mind Like Mine: 21 Famous People and Their Mental Health, by Rachael Davis; illus. by Islenia Mil (The Quarto Group / Wide Eyed Editions) — Nonfiction, Illustrated Prose, Biography / Memoir, Mental / Physical Health, Disabilities, ages 7-12.
Young Adult
10 Things I Can See From Here, by Carrie Mac (Penguin Random House / Ember) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Mental / Physical Health, Romance, Teen.
Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes, edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter & Rocky Callen (Candlewick Press) — Fiction, Anthology / Collection, Mental / Physical Health, Disabilities, Social Emotional Learning, Teen.
Don’t Be a Drag, by Skye Quinlan (Page Street Publishing / Page Street YA) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Mental / Physical Health, Romance, Teen.
Here I Am, I Am Me, by Cara Bean (Hachette / Workman Kids) — Nonfiction, Graphic Novel, Mental / Physical Health, Science / Nature, Concepts, Teen.
Nowhere Girl, written & illustrated by Magali Le Huche (Nobrow) — Nonfiction, Graphic Novel, Mental / Physical Health, Biography / Memoir, Coming of Age, Teen.
Where Was Goodbye?, by Janice Lynn Mather (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) — Fiction, Fiction, Death / Grief / Loss, Mental / Physical Health, Family / Community, Teen.
List compiled by CBC’s resident trivia expert, Sommer Wissner. Check out other book lists on our blog.
