26 of the best books about mental health written by experts

Polyamorous therapist Jessica Fearn wrote Polysecure all about the experience of opening up relationships and exploring non-monogamy. However, it's much more than a relationship book. It delves into attachment styles, trauma and triggers and provides advice on how to navigate these aspects of mental health within intimate relationships. Even for monogamous folks, there's plenty of pointers that you can apply to your own life.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation seemed to capture the zeitgeist of those early pandemic days when everyone was cut loose from their previous lives and forced to take a painful sabbatical for socialising and their loved ones. But the themes of the book, no matter the timing, may well resonate with individuals who are currently or have previously struggled with their mental health. Depression, dissociation, grief and addiction all factor heavily in the life of its beautiful, wealthy protagonist - and while it's far from a self-help book, it's a reminder that anyone can go through a mental illness, no matter what their life looks like from the outside.

What happens if you're a therapist who realises, one day, that you need therapy yourself? That's exactly what happened to Lori Gottlieb, who weaves in the details of her own experience getting help alongside her professional perspective of giving it.

This powerful account of therapy looks at it through the lens of both patient and clinician - and it might just give you the insight you were waiting for.

Struggle with setting boundaries? Michelle Elman's powerful book will have you saying 'no' in no time, offering tips and advice on how to set boundaries and put you first.

This super practical book is a bit like having two psychotherapists at your fingertips. Centred around mental health service Self Space's 'Mental Maintenance' approach, which was created by its founder, therapist Jodie Cariss, to support her clients outside of their therapy sessions. Mental Maintenance is about being aware of your feelings every day, not just when you reach burnout or feel depressed. We know that exercising supports our physical health, this book is about becoming aware of what you can do every single day to help your mental health too.

Part personal experience, part useful expert advice, Kate Lucey's book tackles the difficult topic of depression with a dose of much-needed humour. Seeking to help people really understand why advice like ‘go for a run’, ’stay off social media’ or ‘make some new friends’ is so often touted for anyone suffering with their mental health, it'll be the go-to guide you need.

Running saved Bella Mackie's life, and that's not an exaggeration. Detailing with unfiltered honesty the lowest ebb of her life, Mackie's book reflects on how she managed to find her way out of it. Sharing relatable insights and practical advice from those who have experienced crippling anxiety - and those trained to treat it - this book will motivate anyone in the midst of their own suffering to get their life back on track.

Featuring essays from the likes of This Is Going To Hurt's Adam Kay, Queenie author Candice Carty-Williams, Love Island's Montana Brown and more, this collection explores mental health through many different lenses. With so many incredible voices, you're sure to find a story that you connect to.

There's a reason Stacie Swift landed a spot on our Positivity Index 2021. After seeing her mum struggle with her mental health, Stacie decided to write this colourful, practical book to help readers on difficult days, or just when we need a boost. All about self-love, good vibes, affirmations and kindness, we challenge you not to feel better after reading this book.

Poppy Jamie was at the top of her game when chronic anxiety and burnout struck, with the pandemic only adding to that stress.

In Happy Not Perfect, Poppy uses her own experiences to set out a four-step framework that helps readers change negative thought patterns with science-backed solutions that anyone can put into practice, all while unblocking your emotions and tackling internal challenges.

Looking to feel better for the long-term? This book aims to help you do exactly that, with 55 tips and tools to boost your mood and "weather the storms of life." These small changes could lead to a big improvement in your mindset.

Feeling queer in more ways than one? This mental health workbook is an essential self-help guide for LGBTQ+ people, using a range of therapies and activities to guide you through periods of difficult emotions. The book provides practical techniques you can easily adapt into your daily life, helping you live your best life one step at a time.

Sometimes it's the little things that really make a difference when you're in a hole. This book serves as a handy reminder of the small things you can do when your mood drops, from ways to identify burnout to how to combat negative self-talk.

While not strictly a whole book on mental health, Slay In Your Lane deserves a space on any woman's bookshelf. Two chapters on health, titled Black Girls Don't Cry and TLC, are packed full of shocking statistics at how Black mental health is seen (or rather ignored) and moving personal recollections from the likes of Lady Leshurr and Laura Mvula.

While Black women may benefit most from the advice given in this book, it's essential reading for all.

Part of Penguin's Black Britain Writing Back collection, curated by Girl, Woman, Other author Bernardine Evaristo, this novel follows Gloria, an unapologetically loud and tuneful woman confined under psychiatric watch. When she meets new patient Merle, they find a connection despite their differences, navigating a mental health system that fails to cater to Black women. A beautiful read.

Featuring downloadable audio meditations, this seminal book developed by leading mindfulness experts will suit even the most hectic life; from one-minute practices to a complete 8-week guide.

We're all made up of many different facets, and with statistics showing that people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds experience worse mental health treatment than many white people, it's important to look at how race and mental health intersect. This groundbreaking book includes memoir, essays, poetry and art and will either open your eyes or help you feel less alone.

Sick of hangovers and hangxiety? Cutting back on the booze is becoming less of a 'weird' thing to do. Pour yourself an alcohol-free drink and settle down with Millie Gooch's deep dive into the impact drinking can have on your body and mind, including how it can impact your anxiety and depression.