Recovering or living with a mental health-related condition can feel isolating and strenuous, sometimes you don’t know where to start recovery and other times motivation might be lacking.
At trigger, we understand that, which is why we’ve put together a list of some of the most inspiring books written by people who are overcoming their difficulties to support and help you on your journey. The road ahead may be difficult, but the fight is worth it, and there is a bright future waiting for you. you are not alone and we hope that these books prove it to you.
You are reading: Inspirational books for mental health
1. a walk from the wild edge by jack tyler
After struggling for a long time with depression and coming close to suicide, Jack decided it was time to get his life back on track. With just a pair of walking boots and a backpack, he left his hometown of Maldon to begin a 3,000-mile trek around the British mainland. In this book, he explores how this adventure helped him reconnect with others and with himself, sharing how the kindness of strangers helped him recover.
Immerse yourself in Jack’s journey across the UK, on a journey of self-discovery as he attempts to find peace with himself and the world. this book can be a guiding light for anyone going through dark times.
2. finding frank by rachel townsend
After growing up surrounded by violence and abuse, Rachel fell down a rabbit hole of drug addiction and debilitating depression. So, how do you get out of that abyss and trust in love again, after losing the one to whom you finally opened your heart?
despite having all the odds stacked against her, rachel manages to overcome adversity. her story is one of success, as she finally makes peace with her past and completely transforms her life, finding love along the way. This book will set a positive example for anyone who can’t see the way out, showing that even when all hope seems lost, perseverance is the key and you may end up being pleasantly surprised.
3. love, interrupted by simon thomas
When Simon’s wife, Gemma, died three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, his whole world came crashing down. she didn’t want to live anymore, however, she had to find a way for her eight year old son.
This harrowing memoir is a story of loss and grief, but most of all love and family, where Simon shares his struggles to control his life after his tragic loss and how close he came to ending it. love, interrupted can be a great support tool for anyone going through grief.
4. brilliant happy person by terri cox
Terri’s life seemed normal from the outside: a talented and intelligent young girl with an active social life. However, on the inside, her mind wasn’t as put together as it seemed, and a series of events escalated so quickly that they led her into a full mental breakdown.
She felt ashamed of what was happening and withdrew from any social interaction. it was only when she began therapy and explored the traumatic events that she was finally able to find the bright and happy person she used to be. therapy may seem daunting as well as revisiting your past and traumatic events, however understanding traumas can give you some answers to realize why your mind acts in a certain way and what may have caused a particular mental and psychic response first.
5. daddy blues by mark williams
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When someone becomes a parent, society puts immense pressure on them to be happy and always be on top of things, considering postnatal depression still a stigma. In this touching story, Mark narrates his own struggle with postnatal depression from a perspective often unheard – the one of a father.
Mark slowly loses contact with his wife and needs to take care of their baby, who won’t stop crying. he finds refuge in drinking while trying to navigate through symptoms he didn’t know could affect parents. Whether you’re going through something similar to Mark or another problem that isn’t talked about much, this book will make you feel more understood and less alone.
6. this too shall pass by richard martin
Have you ever felt that everything that happens in your life is crushing you? Have you ever felt immense pressure and demands from your career or social life, leaving you in fear of letting someone down? then this could be the right book for you.
Richard’s inspiring story shows what it’s like to live with social anxiety and how he got his life back in control, after too much pressure from work and social commitments were wearing him down. If he is constantly in a hurry and afraid of letting someone down, he should try to slow down and read this book, as he can offer a great supportive tool in taking back control of his life.
7. bring me out into the light by eleanor segall
What happens when your life takes an unexpected turn, and never you would have expected to be put on hold by mental illness? Eleanor was only 16 years old when she was admitted at The Priory, with a Bipolar Affective Disorder diagnosis. However, after gathering her strengths to recover, she now uses her own experience to speak about mental illnesses, bringing hope to others in similar situations.
Bring Me to Light is a powerful account of how difficult, but ultimately worthwhile, the journey to recovery is. If you’re struggling with bipolar disorder or another debilitating mental illness, let this story inspire you to find the strength to keep fighting.
8. another peak of alex staniforth
Unable to rest, jumping from one adventure to another, always wondering what’s next, Alex now faces his biggest challenge yet: Climbtheuk, which involves cycling to the highest points in the UK.
but physical exhaustion and nature are not the main obstacles on his journey, in fact it is when he is left alone with his thoughts that the real challenge begins.
Sharing insight on depression and an eating disorder, Another Peak offers a great point of reflection and hope for anyone struggling to find purpose in life.
9. stand up tall girl for virgo hope
Anorexia is a lying and manipulative disease that ends up controlling all aspects of your life. In Ella’s autobiography, Ella Hope explores all of this, sharing her arduous journey to recovery, as she revisits some of her darkest moments that later led to a brighter future. now, hope is an activist whose goal is to raise awareness of eating disorders, break the stigma that surrounds them, and pressure the government to provide more and better treatments to patients.
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or would like to support someone affected by it, the little girl standing up will give you an insightful perspective on what it’s like to struggle with anorexia, useful for both sufferers and caregivers alike. they may not be sure what to do
10. beautiful chaos by ali douglas
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The TV presenter, Ali, lived a glamorous and successful life, but even though she apparently had everything she needed to be happy, she wasn’t. in fact, ella ali ella often felt lonely and depressed, until she was finally diagnosed with bipolar ii disorder at age 35 and decided to start seeing life from a new perspective.
beautiful chaos is an extraordinary testament to what the struggle to reclaim your life from the depths of darkness can be like. ali shows us that sometimes complete peace is not the ultimate goal, and learning to find beauty in chaos can be just as powerful.
11. my ride home by hannah green
after being sexually assaulted, hannah was left homeless and developed post-traumatic stress disorder. As she continued to run from the truth, finding herself homeless for over a year, Ella Hannah tried to find solace in drugs and alcohol. It was when she seemed to have given up all hope and at her lowest point that she found people who could finally understand her and introduced her to surfing, which turned out to be a lifesaver for Hannah.
sometimes, when life throws you obstacles, it seems that the only solution is to let go completely. however, hannah’s story shows that there is always some hope as long as you don’t give up. no matter how horrible life may seem.
12. hope through recovery by hope virgo
Having struggled with anorexia, in this guide, Hope compiles a series of useful resources for anyone who suffers from any type of eating disorder. With input from consultant psychiatrist dr chi-chi obuaya, who provides insight and additional guidance, this book combines hope’s personal experience and work with patients, parents, and health care workers.
Rich in emotional support and practical tools, this book is perfect for anyone recovering from an eating disorder and looking for some resources to guide them through their journey.
13. recovery letters edited by james withey and olivia sagan
If you are affected by mental illness and feel that there is no way out of the pain you are experiencing, you may want to read this collection of letters. recovery letters launched online in 2012 as a way to allow people recovering from depression to write letters to those currently struggling.
now these letters to ‘dear one’ have been brought together in this beautiful collection of powerful testimonials written from a first-hand perspective to show that recovery is worth it and to offer hope and support to others affected by depression . In this book, you’ll also find additional resources, motivational quotes, and exclusive new material.
Reading about how someone else has overcome a problem can inspire you to tackle your own. each of these stories is unique, just like yours, and the advice given is often relatable.
We hope that among these books you have found one that most resonates with you. you can go to our online bookstore to buy more books.
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