Are you looking for a guide to support the mental health of a friend, family member or loved one? We’ve put together a select list of books for mental wellbeing that might be just what you need for the perfect gift!
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Workout for Teens
Skills and Exercises from ACT and CBT for Healthy Thinking
By Paula Nagel
A straightforward how-to guide for building a personalised mental health ‘workout’. It includes tried and tested therapeutic techniques, simple strategies and healthy thinking habits teenagers can use to boost their mental health fitness and emotional wellbeing.
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By Kathy Hoopmann
Explores the symptoms of anxiety disorder and their impact on day-to-day life through the colourful images of life as a bird!
Its humorous and gentle approach recognises the stress that anxiety can cause, helping children to better understand how it feels to have anxiety.
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Overcoming Everyday Racism
Building Resilience and Wellbeing in the Face of Discrimination and Microaggressions
By Susan Cousins
This handbook offers tools to improve wellbeing, manage the impact of everyday racism and live with more resilience. It includes examples, spaces for reflection and creative exercises in areas such as self-acceptance, positive relations with others and purpose in life.
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Diary
A Self-Help Diary with CBT Activities to Challenge Your OCD
By Charlotte Dennis
Charlotte Dennis has experienced Obsessive Compulsive Disorder her entire life. From her own experiences with CBT she has created the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Diary! A self-help guide full of activities to support those who experience OCD and are waiting for therapy, or to continue managing their obsessions and compulsions after therapy.
The Anxiety Survival Guide
Getting through the Challenging Stuff
By Bridie Gallagher, Sue Knowles and Phoebe McEwen
The guide to overcoming anxiety for young adults. Co-authored by a team of psychologists along with Phoebe McEwen, a 20-something with anxiety. It looks at the causes of anxiety and offers simple strategies and exercises to reduce anxious feelings. The book covers common triggers like studying, moving out and interviews, as well as OCD and panic attacks.
The CBT Art Workbook for Coping with Anxiety
By Jennifer Guest
This creative CBT workbook helps adults explore issues around anxiety and manage related emotions based on prevalent CBT principles. It includes 150 information pages and worksheets, which can be used alone or alongside professional therapy.
An Adult with an Autism Diagnosis
A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
By Gillan Drew
Through the personal experiences of an adult diagnosed with autism, this book will inform on the social challenges of life on the spectrum along with sensible advice for practical situations. Includes an informed introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder along with helpful resources and strategies for moving forward following a diagnosis.
A Practical Guide to Happiness in Adults on the Autism Spectrum
A Positive Psychology Approach
By Victoria Honeybourne
Breaking away from neurotypical ideals of happiness, this book offers simple techniques and exercises to help adults on the spectrum combat negative thoughts and improve their mental health. It tackles communication skills, self-awareness, workplace coping strategies and more, with a refreshing positive psychology approach.
The Healthy Coping Colouring Book and Journal
Creative Activities to Help Manage Stress, Anxiety and Other Big Feelings
By Pooky Knightsmith
Full of creative activities, this journal and colouring book aims to help young people aged 8-14 manage difficult thoughts, feelings and emotions such as anger and anxiety. It includes space to write and draw, colouring pages, inspirational quotes and poems, and provides a host of healthy coping strategies.
A Therapeutic Treasure Deck of Grounding, Soothing, Coping and Regulating Cards
By Dr. Karen Treisman
A pack of cards and booklet which offers creative ways to explore feelings and develop coping skills with children aged 6+, teens and adults – it addresses common issues including anxiety, stress, low mood, sleep difficulties and emotional dysregulation.
Mindful Little Yogis
Self-Regulation Tools to Empower Kids with Special Needs to Breathe and Relax
By Nicola Harvey
This practical and creative book is filled with simple calming activities to help children find a sense of peace and settle heightened emotions during busy times (perhaps at Christmas!). Each activity is easily adaptable for different ability levels, providing a handy bank of self-regulation tools that can be used at any time in a range of settings.
The Guided Meditation Handbook
Advice, Meditation Scripts and Hasta Mudra for Yoga Teachers
By Georgia Keal
For yoga teachers who want to add a meditation element to their classes, this collection of guided meditations is the perfect resource. It also includes tips on setting the scene for a truly relaxed environment, and advice for how to create your own meditations that can be tailored to the needs of yoga students.