During mental health month, try one of these kidrecommended books that tackle mental health in a way that is relatable to young people. Books with thoughtful portrayals of characters who encounter mental health issues can offer middle grade readers comfort, connection, and inspiration. Upside down books is our new, tradefocused childrens imprint of fiction and nonfiction picture books, activity, and middle grade that focus on mental health issues while also promoting positivity, emotional intelligence, and wellness for children. This is an excellent book for learning about mental health disorders in a way that doesnt necessarily otherize people with mental health issues. Its shocking what you find in some of the childrens books from other. Can picture books meet the crisis in childrens mental health. Children may show generalized anxiety or extreme worry about their parent or. Signs of selfdestructive behavior, such as headbanging or suddenly getting hurt often.
This book excellently describes mental health in a way in which both children and adults can read and understand together. Typpo ages 912 an illustrated story to help children understand and cope with the problem of alcoholism or other drug addiction in the family. One of the most practical ways to combat stigma around mental illness is to raise awareness in society about it, and what better way to do that than through books. The best books on child psychology and mental health. Free mental health ebooks and reports if you click a mental health link, the pdf files will open automatically, and you can download it from there you can also find free content at the pages. This is a list of favourite childrens books that open conversations about mental health in ageappropriate ways including topics of feelings, depressions, grief, anger, ocd, anxiety worrying and fear. Making space in kids literature for mental health issues. Books for children and teens who have parents with mental health conditions, including substance abuse.
We suggest books for primary school classrooms eyfs, ks1 and ks2. Both physical and mental health affect how we think, feel and act on the inside and outside. Getty images why the lockdown has heightened our anxieties. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
Are you concerned about the mental health of your child or a child you know. Its worth pointing out, too, that books that tackle mental health issues are beneficial not just for kids dealing with those challenges, but for all kids. Since being sent a copy of mind hug it has got us thinking about how picture books can be used to support childrens mental health and wellbeing. At the child mind institute weve contacted publishers all over to call in books that address mental health and learning disorders and other common challenges. To coincide with childrens mental health week weve created a list of some of our favourite picture books that provide positive messages about being different or feeling out of place and also help to develop vocabularies and start. Dedicated to anyone who has hissy fits, this book teaches.
With more and more children seeking psychological help, matt haig is one of a wave of authors trying to reach troubled youngsters with stories. Olfactory reference syndrome ors stigma in bipolar disorder. You might even consider creating your own story to suit your childs needs. Growing up and mental health usborne childrens books. Childrens health is determined by the interaction of a multitude of influences, reflecting complex processes.
Anger management stress management mind music hypnotherapy. Promoting awareness of childrens mental health issues. Six childrens books that use psychological techniques to. Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, which cause distress and problems getting through the day. To find even more healthrelated childrens books, try searching online, or ask your childs doctor or librarian for suggestions. Centre for addiction and mental health, weissman, j. The following books for kids have a solid reputation as being incredibly helpful for a child or adolescent dealing with mental health issues, especially in talking with their parents. A healing story for children coping with a grownups mental illness to a child that lives with andor interacts regularly with grownup who is managing a mental illness can benefit from the practice of bibliotherapy. The books scope also makes it a great introduction to mental health disorders. Empathising through stories mental health in usborne fiction these brilliant books help give an insight into mental health issues including titles by holly bourne, best known for her authentic characters and revolutionary attitude to mental health and feminism. Approximately one out of every five children in america has a diagnosable mental health disorder.
Healthcare professionals use the guidelines in the american psychiatric associations diagnostic and statistical manual, fifth edition dsm5 1, to. An elephant in the living room the children s book by jill m. Taking a bath with a dog and other things that make me happy. Childrens books whose characters have a mental illness. The following books all use wellestablished psychological methods, from cognitive behavioral therapy to deep breathing, to help children deal with a. Mental health books for children and teens and their. These books help kids name and understand feelings and experiences they may be struggling with. Mental health an essential part of childrens overall health has a complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. We included books for kids up to 12, from picture books to be read.
This humorous book about a socially awkward bear is great. This list recommends 44 books to help kids ages 312 understand emotional and learning challenges. Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing ageappropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or regulation of emotions. Children are highly vulnerable to the negative health consequences associated with many environmental exposures. To diagnose mental health problems, the doctor or mental health specialist looks at your childs signs and symptoms, medical history, and. Below are a few titles and brief descriptions of childrens books that do a nice job of addressing health issues. Childrens health npr reports on childrens health and medical news including health insurance, new treatments for diseases, and child product safety recalls.
These books have proven themselves over time and with experience. Using childrens books to help manage health issues. Although the information in this book list is accurate to the best of our. Picture books about mental health 40 books goodreads. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Teachers, other school staff can ease childrens mental. Free mental health ebooks disorders and mental health. Scholastics has a wide range of childrens books about mental health. Children are less likely than adults to pick up a nonfiction book about anxiety and mental health issues fiction can be used as a back door into those topics.
Finding joy in every day and letting go of perfect 28 dec 2017. Discover the best childrens health books in best sellers. Mental floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a. A mental illness, or mental health disorder, is defined as patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that cause distress or disrupt a persons ability to function. Mental health books for children and teens and their parents.
Influences on childrens health childrens health, the. Michael rosens sad book by michael rosen, the scar by charlotte. While we want to shield our kids from concern, health professionals recommend educating kids and teens about mental illness. Using insurance, cash and government programs to make sure your children get the best doctors, hospitals and treatments possible, by the silver lake editors, paperback. Attention disorders are some of the most common mental health complications seen in the classroom.
Clinical psychologist, author and broadcaster discusses the stigmas attached to mental health problems, and asks whether, as a society, we are really doing whats best for our children. Books that teach us something about mental illness and help us understand our on mental health. The benefits of exercise for childrens mental health. Books for children and adolescents about mental health issues. Picture books about mental health and wellbeing acorn books. The first author on the new study, aaron kandola, a ph. This year saw headlines about a string of suicides of young kpop artists and frequent news of celebrities deaths due to substance overdose, as well as the publication of some terrific and eyeopening books about issues.
With explanations of basic humanistic concepts like empathy, communication, and social support, the book is worth the read. Childrens books madeleine kudericks top 10 books that explore mental health issues it can be easier to talk about tough topics from the safety of a fictional character. Books for parents of children with mental health issues. It conquers mental health issues that many people will comeacross within their lifetime and allows young people to understand the normality of these feelings and emphasises the importance of not being ashamed by then.
Depression, anxiety, ocd, and bipolar disorder are just some of the mental health issues illnesses youll read in these excellent childrens books. Find out what some common mental health issues in kids are, why good mental health is important for children and what can be done to help. Childrens health includes the study of possible environmental causes of childrens illnesses and disorders, as well as the prevention and treatment of environmentally mediated diseases in children and infants. See more ideas about counseling activities, therapy activities, school social work. Childrens picture books that deal with mental health and emotional wellbeing. The best books on child psychology and mental health recommended by tanya byron. However, haig, who is known for his childrens books which unpick mental health issues for young readers, warned against socalled helicopter parents editing their sons and daughters lives. Mental health problems in young people are associated with outcomes such as suicide, substance use, inability to live independently, justice involvement, school dropout. This chapter provides a summary of published literature and a framework.
Research studies over the years have indicated that bibliotherapy, especially that addressing childrens feelings is especially useful with issues of anxiety, which can be a common symptom with children coping with parentcaregiver with a diagnosis of mental illness. We divide these influences into biological, behavioral, and environmental physical and social even though our model of childrens health views their effects as highly intertwined and difficult to isolate. Madeleine kudericks top 10 books that explore mental health issues it can be easier to talk about tough topics from the safety of a fictional character. This list of the best kids books about mental illness is sure to include a new favorite for the voracious young reader in your life. A personcentred approach is an easy comprehension that enhances readers understanding of mental health, mental illness, and recovery. Study findings demonstrated that schoolbased mental health services delivered by teachers and other school personnel helped reduce mental health issues in elementaryaged children.