Top Books For Teens To Promote Mental Health And Personal Growth
The teenage years can often come with significant challenges that have the potential to affect a teen’s mental health. In a set of studies conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2022, 18% of teens reported experiencing anxiety and 15% reported experiencing depression. To help teens protect their mental health and build resilience, many authors have written books about mental health and personal growth specifically geared toward this age group. Keep reading to explore some of the best books on teen mental health and personal growth.
Teen and young adult books and novels on mental health
Teen and young adult books often touch on topics related to mental health and resilience. Books for teens often portray characters who face challenges that can arise in adolescence, such as peer pressure and stress. Young adults may also identify with characters experiencing a mental health condition or characters who have a friend or family member living with a mental illness. Novels can allow young people to follow the trajectory of such characters as they navigate various life situations and learn important lessons. Teen books on mental health can help teach teens about resilience and the importance of seeking help when they need it. Read on for a few recommendations of teen novels about mental health.
Summer Bird Blue, a work of young adult and teen fiction
One novel related to mental health and resilience is Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman. Published in 2018, Summer Bird Blue tells the story of Rumi Seto, who enjoys making music with her sister, Lea. However, after Lea dies in a car accident, Rumi’s mom sends her to Hawaii to live with her aunt while she mourns the death of her daughter. Suddenly, Rumi has to find a way to navigate the loss of her sister while coping with a sense of abandonment from her mom.
In Hawaii, Rumi meets her next-door neighbors, a young surfer named Kai and an 80-year old named George Watanabe. They help Rumi rediscover music and write a song that she and her sister never finished. Summer Bird Blue may be helpful for teens who are searching for a way forward after experiencing loss.
Red Queen, a story about identity and staying the course
Written by Victoria Aveyard, Red Queen tells the story of Mare Barrow, who lives in a world divided by two groups: the Red bloods and the Silver bloods. The Silver bloods are considered elites and possess special powers, while the Red bloods serve the Silver bloods. Mare is a thief from a poor village who ends up in the Silver court. She discovers that she has a special ability, and the king obligates her to marry one of his sons and pretend to be a lost Silver princess. She ends up having to risk everything to support a Red rebellion. This story serves as a lesson on courage and resilience in the face of intense pressure.
Chaos Theory, a novel about mental health and relationships
Chaos Theory by Nic Stone tells the story of Shelbi, who has bipolar disorder, and Andi, who experiences an addiction. The two fall in love, but their difficult past experiences threaten their relationship. Readers can expect to learn about complex topics like substance use and neurodivergence in this story about navigating mental health challenges while in a relationship.
Breathing Underwater, a book for middle-grade children
Written by Sarah Allen, Breathing Underwater tells the story of sisters Olivia and Ruth, who return to their native California on a road trip. Ruth’s depression gets worse on the trip, and Olivia strives to help Ruth remember the life she once had. Olivia takes Ruth on a scavenger hunt across the country in hopes of finding a time capsule the two girls buried on their favorite beach years ago. Breathing Underwater can serve as a story about how to support those with mental health challenges while accepting them as they are.
Counseling to supplement mental health books for teens
In addition to reading books about mental health, teens may benefit from speaking with a mental health professional. A counselor who specializes in working with adolescents can use evidence-based strategies for addressing any mental health conditions a teen may be experiencing. Teen counselors may also offer personalized advice for handling relationship issues or other stressors that commonly arise during the middle school or high school years.
Online therapy for teens
Some teens may not have the opportunity to see a therapist in their local community due to a lack of transportation or few local therapists. However, there is still help available through online therapy platforms. For example, TeenCounseling allows teens aged 13–19 to connect with a therapist virtually no matter where they’re located as long as they have an internet connection, and BetterHelp offers the same for adults. These platforms allow an individual to get matched and then communicate with a licensed therapist via phone call, video call, live chat, or a combination of these methods. Clients can also contact their therapist between sessions through in-app messaging, and the therapist will reply as soon as they are available.
Research suggests that online therapy can often be effective for treating many types of mental health conditions. For example, one systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2020 suggests that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be even more effective than in-person therapy for treating depression symptoms.
Takeaway
Books about mental health can serve as encouragement and inspiration for teens who are experiencing various challenges. While books about mental health can be helpful, some teens may also need the support of a mental health professional. A therapist may be able to help a teen learn to address common sources of stress—such as academic pressure, college prospects, peer pressure, and social anxiety—in a healthy way. If you’re the parent of a teenager and are hoping to receive support yourself, you might also consider speaking with a mental health professional for guidance on parenting challenges.
Novels and books for teens: What is a good novel about mental health for middle grade children?
One novel that some middle grade children might resonate with is Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Ghost is the nickname of the protagonist, Castle Cranshaw, who experienced trauma as a young child when his father threatened him and his mother with violence. Ghost is also a talented runner who is selected for a special middle school track team. If he can manage the trauma from his past, Ghost may have the opportunity to be the fastest sprinter in the city and possibly qualify for the Junior Olympics. This book can be a good choice for children who have experienced trauma and are also receiving mental health care for it.
How can young adult books help with mental health?
Young adult books can serve as a significant source of encouragement for teens who are living with a mental health disorder. Such books may help teens see that they are not alone and that there are ways to get support for their mental health. Some books may also help teens understand how they might support friends or family members with mental health challenges.
What’s a good nonfiction book about teen mental health?
One teen nonfiction book about mental health that teens may enjoy is Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life With OCD. The book tells the story of Allison, a high school student who develops obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
What’s a good example of teen fiction about mental health?
One example of teen fiction about mental health is Darius the Great Is Not Okay. Written by Adib Khorram, this novel tells the story of Darius Kellner, who is part Persian and is nervous about an upcoming trip to Iran. Darius experiences clinical depression and has a hard time explaining his depression medication to his grandparents. However, in Iran, he meets a boy named Sohrab, with whom he becomes good friends. They play soccer and eat together as Darius learns more about his cultural background. One day, while overlooking the city from a rooftop, Sohrab calls Darius “Darioush,” which is the original version of his name in Persian. This makes Darius feel proud to be who he is. Teens who feel they are part of two worlds may identify with this story of friendship and identity.
What’s a good book for children with a parent living with a mental illness?
One book that may be helpful for middle grade children in this situation is Chasing the Milky Way by Eric E. Moulton. This book tells the story of Lucy Peevy, who has a dream of becoming a renowned scientist. She hopes to win the local robotics competition to earn a scholarship, but her mother experiences depression and sometimes stops taking her medication, which makes it more difficult for Lucy to reach her goals.
What are good books for 16-year-olds?
The best books for 16-year-olds may be those that align with their interests. Whether they want to read a graphic novel with illustrations, a biography, historical fiction books, age-appropriate romance books, or fantasy books, reading can be a beneficial hobby for kids of any age. The truth is that the type of book a teenager reads may not matter as much as the fact that they are reading. Reading can encourage teens to develop their own ideas, explore history, experience a wide range of emotions, and enjoy humor. Many teenagers are fans of funny, illustrated books, as well as dark fantasy books with detailed magic systems and dragon characters–but there’s truly a book for everyone, no matter their preferences.
What are the benefits of reading for two hours a day?
If you read for two hours each day, you might notice that your cognitive function and memory improve. Reading can also decrease stress levels and boost productivity.
What happens to your brain when you read every day?
Reading daily can strengthen your brain, reduce stress, expand your knowledge, and enhance your imagination and creativity. Some research even suggests that reading can reduce your risk of mortality.
Does reading help with anxiety?
Reading can help with psychological distress, including anxiety. In a 2022 study, college students who engaged in recreational reading usually experienced less psychological distress. Reading appeared to lead to improved mental health, and the benefits were especially notable in students who experienced internal motivation to read.
Can reading be a form of therapy?
While reading isn’t necessarily a traditional form of therapy, it can have therapeutic effects. Making a bit of space in your day for reading and turning to the library’s shelves of books when stressed can be beneficial. One commonly cited figure states that reading for just a few minutes can reduce stress levels by 68%.
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