We have recently witnessed the World Mental Health Day; hence, it’s obvious to see this month raising the awareness about the mental health issues. Being a responsible person, one should support and guide people who are passing through tough times. Sharing a couple of mental health stories matters a lot. Discussing the issue of mental health with people passing through the difficult time helps in reducing their issues. By becoming honest and open about mental health can help in saving and changing the lives of such people.
If you are keen on assisting them to people, you need to be well informed, which is possible if you constantly explore the works of fiction about depression. Reading both the fiction and the non-fiction book can help you a lot. Well, how about exploring the list of 7 Books on mental illness, which can help you understand things better, have a look:
1) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – One of the best books on mental illness
Talk about one of the best works of fiction about depression, and you find this book coming into the picture. In fact, this book has been converted into a movie with Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Ezra Miller seen in the lead roles. This book deals with a personal account of psychological disorder of a teenager battle and she tries hard to combat the situation to come out from her by-lanes of her school life. The book cover issues like fighting anxiety, psychological defense mechanisms, and winning the low self-esteem. The story of the young is very moving and will tempt you to read more and more till you finish it.
2) Gorilla and the Bird by Zack McDermott
This is one of the best Books on mental illness, which deals with the real story of a Gorilla called Zack and the bird, which is his mother. This non-fiction book deals with the story of Zack who experiences a psychotic breakdown, and then he is seen going over an agitated spree around the American city -New York and later hospitalized. He finds his loving mother at one side supporting him at every step with mounting faith to see his son free from the ailment. In case, if you have failed to catch this book describing the interesting struggle story of Zach, you can find it soon in a TV Show picked up by a filmmaker in the coming times.
3) Em And The Big Hoom by Jerry Pinto
It is one of the best Books on mental illness dealing with the lingering sadness that can grip you till you finish it. Just read the first page, and you would be drawn towards this personal account of psychological disorder story. The story is made at the backdrop of Mahim, and it deals with the lives of the Mendeses. You would find in the story a family of four people, and when they come across their mental illness, they make sure to face them the best. You would come across a number of beautiful and sad moments, which you would read a lot and do not want to forget. It is often regarded as a must read book that showcases the honest portrayal of people with mental illness dealing with the sensitive issue so nicely.
4) Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho
This is a gem of a book. It offers solutions to many difficult situations, which many of us have been often engulfed with at one point or the other. It deals with the purpose of our life. The main lead in the book has everything in her life yet she encounters a weird kind of emptiness. She tries to end her life with the overdose of pills, and the story explores many things allowing the reader to enjoy a perfect bliss. In other words, this book is incredibly insightful and thoughtful.
5) The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
This book deals with a personal account of psychological disorder, very well written by Matthew Quick. The story of the book deals with a couple – Mr. and Mrs. Pat who are separated. The rest comes in the struggle in his day to day life the way he is trying to cope in his life. The story is incredibly witty, charming and complex worth reading every page. The novelist has beautifully shown the roller-coaster feeling of Pat’s mind while decoding a wide range of things that come along at the same time.
6) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
This is among the best American classics that was published in 1963 but is still relevant in the modern day arena. It is regarded as one of the best book written on depression by Sylvia Plath, who is more known for her poetries than other work. This was her debut novel that deals with the life of a young writer called Esther Greenwood who goes into depression while adapting the tough journalistic life in a busy city of New York. It’s a real story of this man who committed suicide when he was barely 30 years of age. This book just published in the UK after one month of her suicide. The book Bell Jar is considered among her best literary work.
7) All Things New by Lauren Miller
This book has portrayed an interesting approach towards showcasing the anxiety of higher level. It deals with a story of a teenager called Jessa who is the victim of severe anxiety. These are seen in the form of scars and bruises on others. This is regarded as deeply personal and honest and would certainly going to change your voices on mental illness.
Final Words
These are just a handful of books that deal with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Reading these books will change your outlook towards people suffering from these mental ailments and educate you how to handle them and even help in getting out of these situations.