Skip to Content

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

The 20 Best Mental Health Books to Read in 2022

Start your mindfulness journey with a good read.

Headshot of Emilia BentonBy Emilia Benton
best mental health books 2021pinterest icon
Courtesy of Retailer

Ever perused the self-help section at the bookstore or Amazon and found it to be a tad...overwhelming? You’re not alone. Even if you don't have an official mental health diagnosis, there’s likely something you know you could stand to work on, and there are so many good books out there that can help you get a handle on certain aspects of mental wellness.

The Covid-19 pandemic only heightened some of these feelings for a lot of people, leading many to pursue mental health care for the first time now that they had the ability to do so remotely. Whether or not you’ve found that helpful resource yet, we’ve curated a list of some of the best mental health books that may prove to be additionally helpful on your journey. These books include everything from scientific analyses, stories of people’s real-life experiences and memoirs, covering topics like anxiety, depression and even racial injustice.

While many of these books can help with aspects of life like reducing stress and not overthinking your emotions, it’s important to note that if you think you might be experiencing anxiety, depression or another mental health condition, it’s important to seek help from a licensed professional, as these books are not meant to provide a diagnosis or provide individual medical advice and treatment. These books may, however, help you nail down signs to watch for, what to look for in a professional, and relate to individuals who have gone through something similar. Here are our picks for the top 20 mental health books of 2021.

1

Penguin Books The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Best Seller
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
1

Penguin Books The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Now 41% Off
$11 at Amazon

Trauma comes in all forms, from near-death experiences to unexpected loss. In this book, author Dr. Bessel van der Kolk examines recent scientific findings and uses human stories to demonstrate how trauma impacts both the mind and the body.

2

Berkley Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now

On Sale
Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now
2

Berkley Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now

Now 17% Off

If you feel trapped inside your mind amongst intrusive thoughts and other symptoms of anxiety, this book can provide the guidance you need to mitigate them and break the cycle of fear and panic.

3

Picador Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions

On Sale
Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions
3

Picador Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions

Now 27% Off

Actor and comedian Russell Brand isn’t a mental health professional, but if you’ve dealt with addiction, it can be helpful to relate to experiences from other individuals. In this book, Brand opens up about what he’s learned in overcoming drug, sex and alcohol addictions, among others, with humor and compassion.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4

Plume Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts

Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts
4

Plume Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts

Now 11% Off
Credit: Amazon

In this book, author Guy Winch, PhD, provides strategies for healing the emotional pains that everyone experiences in life, from rejection, loneliness and loss to trauma, guilt and low self-esteem.

5

Penguin Life It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle
5

Penguin Life It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

Now 30% Off

Author Mark Wolynn is known as an expert within the mental health world when it comes to the subject of inherited family trauma. In this book, he examines how trauma experienced by relatives can be passed down to younger family members, leading to patterns of depression, anxiety and other conditions.

6

Tarcherperigee Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find - and Keep - Love

On Sale
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find - and Keep - Love
6

Tarcherperigee Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find - and Keep - Love

Now 27% Off

No one has it all figured out when it comes to navigating relationships. In this book, Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel Heller examine how attachment theory (i.e. early relationships with parents and caregivers) can work in your favor to help you find love.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Harmony The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

On Sale
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
7

Harmony The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

Now 39% Off

If you’re someone who’s always found themselves to be overwhelmed by things like crowded spaces and are often drained after socializing for long periods of time, chances are that easing back into some sense of normalcy during the Covid-19 pandemic brought back those feelings. This book can help you work to overcome this social discomfort and tap into your sensitivity while examining how it affects your personal, work and love life.

8

Simon & Schuster The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

On Sale
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
8

Simon & Schuster The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Now 41% Off

Whether you’re experiencing burnout or struggle with being disorganized, or you simply want to live your life with more intention, this book will help you work toward sustainable balance in life, set realistic end goals and negotiate in a way that will allow you to work effectively with others.

9

Page Two This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression

This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression
9

Page Two This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression

Now 17% Off

In this book, psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh examines common causes of depression, the diagnosis and treatment process, and several real-life examples of depression to help readers understand what they or a loved one may be facing.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10

North Atlantic Books We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health

We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health
10

North Atlantic Books We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health

This is another book that examines real-life experiences with mental health conditions and treatment, this time in the form of 25 stories and essays. These diverse stories cover everything from traumatic events, experiences of overmedication and involuntary hospitalization, as well as the systemic issues plaguing our mental health system.

11

New Harbinger Publications The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health

On Sale
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health
11

New Harbinger Publications The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health

Now 28% Off

If you're Black, Indigenous or a person of color, the last couple of years have felt especially heavy. While things like microaggressions and systemic racism certainly aren’t anything new, the social justice reckoning the U.S. is continuing to go through has only made mental health more important of a priority for many BIPOC. 

This book not only offers relevant tips, but also examines current issues within the mental health system and how to successfully navigate the health healthcare system as a Black person.

12

Althea Press Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies For Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, And Worry

Best Seller
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies For Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, And Worry
12

Althea Press Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies For Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, And Worry

In this book, Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D. examines the concept of mindfulness by providing a guide of 10 strategies for improving mental health. These tools include things like identifying negative thoughts and symptoms of anxiety of depression through manageable steps to effectively deal with them.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Althea Press Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now

Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now
13

Althea Press Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now

Now 37% Off

In this book, author Jill Weber, Ph.D., splits anxiety into three sections: feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. Each one examines top symptoms and provides explanations, techniques to control it, and advice for finding inner calm in an easy-to-read and easy-to-apply manner.

14

Penguin Books How to Change Your Mind

Amazon’s Choice
How to Change Your Mind
14

Penguin Books How to Change Your Mind

Now 44% Off

In this book, author Michael Pollan delves into how microdosing with psychedelics can help people cope with mental health struggles and crises related to anxiety, depression and even addiction.

15

HarperOne Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity

Amazon’s Choice
Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity
15

HarperOne Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity

Now 72% Off

In this book, actor and social activist Justin Baldoni takes a look at how toxic masculinity has impacted our society, damaging the mental health of men and boys who have sought to repress so-called feminine qualities. Baldoni also opens up about his own personal experiences related to topics like body image, sexuality and racial justice. 

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16

Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (Mental and Emotional Abundance)

Best Seller
Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (Mental and Emotional Abundance)
16

Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (Mental and Emotional Abundance)

Just about everyone falls victim to overthinking individual interactions and feelings these days. This book covers how overthinking is tied to burnout, stress and increased anxiety and how you can stop it in its tracks and work to focus on the present via visualization techniques and various coping strategies.

17

Scribner Heavy: An American Memoir

On Sale
Heavy: An American Memoir
17

Scribner Heavy: An American Memoir

Now 38% Off

This memoir by Kiese Laymon takes you through his life in racism-driven Mississippi during the 1980s and 1990s via a letter to his mother, showcasing depression through the eyes of a Black man in America.

18

Portfolio If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy?

On Sale
If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy?
18

Portfolio If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy?

Now 10% Off

If the pandemic showed us one thing, it’s that American culture largely values career success above all else. This book aims to help readers see that they can pursue advancement and more money while still living a fulfilled personal life.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Grand Central Publishing Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

Best Seller
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World
19

Grand Central Publishing Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

Now 42% Off

In this inspirational self-help book, Admiral William H. McRaven aims to help readers focus on the little things through life lessons from people he encountered during his time in the military service.

20

Baker Pub Group/Baker Books Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking

On Sale
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking
20

Baker Pub Group/Baker Books Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking

Now 47% Off

In this book, communication pathologist and neuroscientist Caroline Leaf aims to help readers beat toxic thoughts by breaking down complex scientific theories and swapping them out for easy-to-follow tactics to boost positive thoughts and general mental wellness.

Headshot of Emilia Benton
Emilia Benton
Contributing Writer

Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. In addition to Runner's World, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Women's Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle, among other publications. She is also an 11-time marathoner, a USATF Level 1-certified running coach, and an avid traveler.

Watch Next
 
preview for Men's Health US Section - All Sections & Videos

Health

european premiere of creed iii in london

A Timeline of Jamie Foxx's Health Status

young woman sitting on sofa, looking at distressed man at table

How to Know if You're in a Toxic Relationship

portrait of adult men holding pill

Supplements for Better Sex

man drinking energy drink

Here's What Energy Drinks Actually Do To Your Body

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
twitter icon
youtube icon
facebook icon
instagram icon
pinterest icon
Hearst Men's and Enthusiast Media Group - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map
Cookies Choices