10 Novels About Mental Health | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

10 Novels About Mental Health

Sometimes, it's good to know you're not alone.

17
10 Novels About Mental Health
Photo Pin

Trigger Warning: Please, if you have mental health problem, be warned that the following books can trigger further problems with depression.

Whether you’re looking to understand a bit more about depression, anxiety, and self-harm, or you yourself have struggled with any of these issues, please know that there is help out there. Although, sometimes it’s helpful knowing that someone, somewhere out there in the universe, gets it. Someone understands what you’re going through. Someone knows how you feel. The following young adult novels depict just what it is like living a life that leaves you feeling vulnerable, numb, and helpless.

1. "All The Things I Never Said" by Mae Krell

In this collection of poetry and journal entries, Ma Krell chronicles the heartbreak, happiness, and sadness that come along with being a teenager.

2. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

When Hannah Baker commits suicide, she leaves behind a set of tapes. She had recorded the 13 events that occurred, which led to her decision to end her life. Each tape event is directed towards certain person, and each person must listen to Hannah’s reasoning and pass on the message.

3. Paperweight by Meg Haston

17-year-old Stevie is going through an eating-disorder treatment center on the outskirts of the New Mexico desert. Stevie struggles not only with an eating disorder, but with the mistakes of her past, and whether she can ever move past either.

4. Break by Hannah Moskowitz

Jonah is intent on breaking every bone in his body in the hopes that doing so will allow him to come back stronger than he was before. That’s what bones do, right? He’s hoping that by doing so, he’ll deal with everything that is falling apart in his life. But will it help?

5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky

Quiet, observant wallflower Charlie experiences the bizarre world between adolescence and adulthood, as he is caught between living his life and running from it.

6. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda lives her high school life as an outcast. The more isolated she feels, the more she stops speaking. Eventually, Melinda is forced to deal with horrific events of her past, and learn the importance of speaking up for herself.

7. It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

When Craig has big plans for his future. When he goes to a new school, he is ready for the best, but reality sets in when he experiences the worst. The realization that he is not what he thought he was leaves him suicidal, which lands him in a mental hospital, and the chance to finally confront his problems.

8. Cut by Patricia McCormick

Callie has a problem. She cuts herself. Not very deep, and not with the intensions of suicide, but enough to feel pain. This brings her to a treatment facility, Sea Pines, where she is left with only one option – speaking to someone about why she does what she does.

9. Willow by Julia Hoban

When 16-year-old Willow’s parents drink too much, they ask her to drive them home, a ride which results in Willow spinning out of control in a rainstorm. Her parents died in that accident. Willow now blocks out the pain by cutting herself. Her world is turned upside down by Guy, a boy who is on her level of complication.

10. Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse will take you inside Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for people who have attempted suicide. Readers will follow the stories of three different people and why they decided enough was enough.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

14327
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2843
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1712
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments