Mental well-being is often overlooked by many of us because of the societal stigmas that have been present in our roots for several decades. But we can’t ignore the fact that the conversation around mental health has also evolved over the years, and people are more aware of their self-care, along with taking care of their mental well-being. This fast-paced world and its pressures make us realize the importance of being mentally stable. Many of us are continuously surrounded by constant notifications, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to always be ‘on’; however, these all make us feel overwhelmed easily.
But you don’t need to worry; here’s the good news! We have compiled a curated list of some of the best mental health books that will help you navigate life’s challenges. All of these books on mental well-being address mental health in a variety of ways. Some of them present characters who focus on the significance of mental well-being; however, the list also includes the best self-help books for mental well-being. You will also find nonfiction books covering a range of topics like anxiety and depression.
Let’s begin the exploration!
List of 12 Best Mental Well-Being Books for 2025
“Raise Your Head Up” by Lina Maria Aristizabal
“Raise Your Head Up” is a significant book for brain injury survivors. It’s also a powerful mental health resource that offers several essential tools for emotional intelligence, mindset shifts, and personal empowerment. By drawing upon her past experiences as a brain injury survivor, Lina Maria addresses how concussion affects physical health along with mental well-being. The author brings both scientific insights and personal experiences to the table while discoursing about the long-lasting impacts of concussion, like anxiety, depression, frustration, and emotional exhaustion.
Lina’s book is a great self-help book for mental well-being, not having typical aspects related to mental recovery. By taking a no-nonsense approach, the author focuses on the impacts of concussion while offering evidence-based strategies to overcome the negative thoughts. She also addresses social relationships, acceptance, and habits, as they are part of human nature and are affected if a person is not mentally stable. This book is an invitation for all, whether you’re struggling with your mental health or your loved one is going through any trauma. The author offers some exceptional and practical ways from her experiences to reframe negativity while combatting self-doubt and developing resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Also Read About: Brain Injury Books for Effective Recovery in 2025
“Unstressable” by Mo Gawdat
Have you ever heard of the stress pandemic? If not, Mo Gawdat brings an incredible book with his brilliant engineering mind and Alice Law’s psychology and stress management expertise. The book’s major focus remains on stress management and the science behind this growing illness among individuals. With some significant examples, the book will show readers that chronic stress is not an unavoidable part of modern life, but it is predictable and preventable. The book also illuminates how today’s circumstances contribute to disordered mental well-being; nevertheless, the book’s practical exercises will help readers to manage their stress, as the author backs up his practical strategies with neuroscience and accessible psychology.
“Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green.
“Turtles All the Way Down” is a well-structured and perfectly narrated fiction by John Green that explores the way mental illness can affect daily life. The novel describes the constant struggles of the main character with mental illness and a debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder. This dynamic novel stresses the painful side of a mental illness and how it can be excruciating for someone who is facing such a chronic disorder. Through the lens of John Green, readers will experience a shattering story that is heart-rending and also gives them a glimpse into how it feels to live with mental illness.
“The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
As the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction, “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig guarantees to uplift your spirits. The author of the book is known as a champion of mental health; therefore, he presents this thought-provoking novel where Nora Seeds, the main character, finds endless books that contain different versions of the life she could have lived. If you want to explore your individual relationship with regret or seek a perfect life, this novel is a must-read. This novel holds incredible mental health messages at its heart that mainly revolve around a perfect life.
“The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris
Are you looking for a self-help guide to freeing yourself from depression, anxiety, and insecurity? If yes, Russ Harris’s book is here to give you satisfying and meaningful ways to live a happy life through acceptance and commitment therapy. Usually, people fall victim to the happiness trap and spend their all life just to find their true happiness while ending up with stress and depression. The author says to all the readers that true happiness and satisfaction don’t lie in rushing towards them but in having mindfulness. This exceptional resource by Russ Harris offers great examples and steps to overcome different sources of unhappiness.
“The Mindful Way Through Depression” by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, and Zindel Segal
The majority of people around us are prone to depression, dysthymia, and general unhappiness; however, they need to understand that the fault lies in their thinking. This book will give them a new perspective while helping them to reframe their thinking about their issues. The message of this book for readers is amazing, as it makes us conscious of ourselves – about our thoughts, concerns, feelings, and memories. With some great pieces of advice, the book also offers two ways – to dwell on something that adds no value to our lives or to choose something we want. So, what do you want to choose?
“Ten Times Calmer” by Dr Kirren Schnack
Not everyone has access to therapy, or you can say there is also a lack of resources; this is the reason Dr Kirren Schnack brings an insightful book that covers everything from dealing with anxious thoughts to managing uncertain situations as well as safely tackling trauma. Anxiety-free life is a dream for many; therefore, the author offers a toolkit of well-researched and clinically proven tips that will help readers find inner peace and calmness in their lives. Dr Kirren Schnack, a clinical psychologist, shares her words of wisdom to treat patients who are dealing with anxiety. However, her words leave readers with confidence and a direction to lead their lives peacefully.
“Mental Health Reflections” by Alexandra Lee Hug
This book is purely a reflection based on Alexandra’s individual life experiences and perceptions. She wrote this book while on her healing journey. The purpose of this reflection is to make readers feel less alone, as this period is no less than a burden because of internal thoughts and different sorts of feelings. Through this book, readers will understand the power of forgiveness, gratitude, loving yourself, and healing from trauma. Among the books on mental well-being, this one will surely be an empowering and inspiring as well for all who are healing from any kind of trauma.
“When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment” by C. Alec Pollard, PhD
In everyone’s family, there is always someone who suffers from some kind of mental health issue, but he or she denies it and refuses to take treatment. This behaviour shows that these people may feel that they are caught in a trap. If you’re in such a situation, you need to grab this mental health book that redefines the significance of mental well-being. In this book, readers will get a family wellbeing approach that is based on established principles of behaviour change, family interaction research, and more than three decades of clinical experience.
“How Emotions Are Made” by Lisa Barrett
Very few books reflect the science behind emotions, and “How Emotions are Made” by Lisa Barrett is one of those books that perfectly describes this notion through real-world consequences of this breakthrough. The construction of emotions among humans is seen as a unique interplay between brain,, body, and culture, which needs to be understood in the light of neuroscience and medicine. This book reveals some eye-opening aspects related to the science behind emotions.
“The Glass Girl” by Kathleen Glasglow
This heart-wrenching novel highlights how a girl deals with her habit of having alcohol, which has become her biggest threat in life. If you’re interested in a kind of mental health book, this novel will make you realize the facts about being an alcoholic. This mental health novel teaches readers about how to deal with complex circumstances that life throws at you, such as looking after your loved ones, being a mediator for your divorced parents, facing rejection or losing someone close to your heart, and many other similar feelings.
“Don’t Believe Everything You Think” by Joseph Nguyen
In the list of books on mental well-being, Joseph’s book is a beautiful expanded edition with personalized guidance on overcoming anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and self-sabotage. This relatable guide shows all of us how to break free from toxic feelings and overthinking that capture our minds. Nevertheless, readers also get some practical advice on how to replace toxic feelings with inner peace. Some major aspects covered in this book include the root cause of all psychological and emotional sufferings and how to end all this, how to become unaffected by negative feelings, how to experience unconditional love in life, and many more.
Final Words
As we navigate modern life and its new paradigms, we get to know how important it is to be mentally stable and healthy. All the mental health books included in the list highlight the significance of mental stability, as they are more than just ordinary guides. Every book challenges conventional thinking, inspiring readers to be self-aware and more empowered to take actionable steps towards a healthier mind.
In the last few years, there has been an open discussion on the issues faced by people related to mental health; however, 2025 is the year that has come up with a transformation, which is the need of the moment.
So, grab any of your favourite books and renew your sense of purpose in life!
