(Don't) Call Me Crazy by
To understand mental health, we need to talk openly about it. Because there’s no single definition of crazy, there’s no single experience that embodies it, and the word itself means different things—wild? extreme? disturbed? passionate?—to different people. In (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, thirty-three actors, athletes, writers, and artists offer essays, lists, comics, and illustrations that explore a wide range of topics:
their personal experiences with mental illness,
how we do and don’t talk about mental health, help for better understanding how every person’s brain is wired differently, and what, exactly, might make someone crazy. If you’ve ever struggled with your mental health, or know someone who has, come on in, turn the pages . . . and let’s get talking.
Be Mindful & Stress Less by
The demands and pressures of everyday life can really stress you out! School, work, relationships, social media, and the like can leave you pulled in so many directions it can make your head spin. When you need help fast, these simple accessible mindfulness-based practices will help bring you relief and ease right away. If you make these mindfulness and self-care practices part of your routine, you’ll discover little life-hacks to get through even the toughest days.
Calm Girl by
Presents step-by-step instructions for performing a number of yoga exercise and stress-relief positions. Discusses how yoga can be effective for teenage girls in relieving stress.
Mental Health Information for Teens by
Presents current information on mental and emotional health in teens including facts on depression and other mood disorders; anxiety disorders; behavior disorders; self-injury; psychosis; and schizophrenia.
Your Brain Needs a Hug by
My Mad Fat Diary author Rae Earl offers her personalized advice on the A to Zs of mental health, social media, family and friendship. When she was a teenager, Rae dealt with OCD, anxiety, and an eating disorder, but she survived, and she thrived. Your Brain Needs a Hug is filled with her friendly advice, coping strategies and laugh-out-loud moments to get you through the difficult days. Witty, honest, and enlightening, this is the perfect read for feeling happier and healthier and learning to navigate life without feeling overwhelmed or isolated.
Mindful Me by
Presents a collection of tips and techniques to engage children in the practice of mindfulness and meditation.
All That I Can Fix by 
Crank by 
Hey, Kiddo by
A graphic novel memoir by author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka who describes growing up with an addict mother, a missing father, and two loving, opinionated grandparents who raised him into his teen years. Describes how Krosoczka relied on his art to express himself and to survive the ups and downs of life.
Hooked by
Profiles ten people who, as children or teens, lived through a friend or family member's addiction. Examines how each person was impacted by witnessing these addictions and how they found help for themselves and their loved ones.
I Am Addicted to Drugs by
Examines issues related to teenage drug addiction, and presents tips for overcoming an addiction.
Preventing and Treating Addiction by
Explores the issue of opioid addiction and the measures being taken to prevent addiction and how addiction to opioids and opiates is treated. Discusses the effect of these drugs on the body, risk factors for drug abuse, signs that someone might be in need of treatment, and how to help and support a friend or loved one struggling with addiction.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by
Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’ s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.
Anxiety Disorders by
Provides information about anxiety disorders and describes the negative effects they can have on their body. Offers case studies of patients and discusses how they handle their conditions. Examines the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of the disorder and explores coping strategies and treatment.
The Best at It by
Twelve-year-old Rahul Kapoor heads into seventh grade armed with advice his grandfather gave him--to find a thing he's good at and become the best at it. But Rahul struggles with his identity, including his confusing attraction to classmate Justin Emery. Rahul joins the Mathletes but it doesn't go as planned, and when Jenny asks him to a dance, Rahul spirals into depression and anxiety. With the help of his best friend Chelsea, Rahul confronts who he actually is.
Can You See Me? by
Eleven-year-old Tally is starting sixth grade at Kingswood Academy and she really wants to fit in, which means somehow hiding her autism, hypersensitivity to touch, and true self, and trying to act "normal" like her former best friend, Layla, who is distancing herself from Tally, and her fourteen-year-old sister, Nell, who is always angry with Tally for being different; but as she records her thoughts and anxieties in her coping diary, Tally begins to wonder--what is "normal" anyway?
Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorders by
Highlights the challenges of living with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorders. Offers tips for coping with the challenges faced by individuals and their families.
Finding Audrey by
Fourteen-year-old Audrey is making slow but steady progress dealing with her anxiety disorder when Linus comes into the picture and her recovery gains momentum.
Guts by
Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina's tummy trouble isn't going away... and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What's going on? Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face -- and conquer -- her fears.
Small Things by
A wordless picture book where a young boy's sadness and anxiety are manifested as shadowy creatures that cloud his periphery and cause further turmoil at home and at school.
Teen Stress and Anxiety by
Discusses the common causes and symptoms of teen stress and anxiety. Describes related disorders and how they are treated, and provides teens with coping strategies.
Umbrella Summer by 
Under Pressure by
Through character narratives and discussion questions the issue of overcoming high-pressure situations for tween and teen girls is examined. Discusses positive ways to deal with difficult situations and build self-esteem, and includes advice from a professional doctor and tips to handle stressful challenges.
Sara and the Search for Normal by
Seventh-grader Sara just wants to be normal, but instead she deals with panic attacks and other issues that make her avoid other people. When she starts group therapy, she meets talkative and outgoing Erin, who doesn't believe in "normal." Sara soon finds herself with an actual friend, but discovers that there's more to Erin than she lets on. In order to help Erin, Sara might have to sacrifice their friendship.
Bipolar Disorder by
Describes the causes and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Explains how the disorder is diagnosed and treated, and provides teens with coping strategies.
Darius the Great is Not Okay by
Darius Kellner is a Fractional Persian—half, his mom’s side—and his first-ever trip to Iran is about to change his life. Darius has never really fit in at home, and he’s sure things are going to be the same in Iran. His clinical depression doesn’t exactly help matters, and trying to explain his medication to his grandparents only makes things harder. Then Darius meets Sohrab, the boy next door, and everything changes.
Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorders by
Highlights the challenges of living with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorders. Offers tips for coping with the challenges faced by individuals and their families.
Depression and Other Mood Disorder by
Discusses causes, symptoms, and treatment options for depression and other mood disorders, as well as information about the difficulties young people encounter living with family members who are depressed or have a mood disorder.
Everything You Need to Know about Stress and Depression by
Introduces the issues surrounding stress and depression in adolescence while offering advice and suggestions on how teens can handle these struggles.
Hurricane Season by
Fig tries to connect with her artistic, bipolar father, after an incident at school leads her art teacher calls social services. She then researches the artist Van Gogh to try to understand the links between mental illness and creativity in an effort to better understand her father. Her new neighbor, Mark, understands more than Fig does about issues beyond bipolar disorder that plague her father, and he becomes indispensable to the family. Fig suffers drama at school too as she deals with a boy who likes her and the girl she has a crush on.
Light Filters in: Poems by
Presents a collection of poetry centered around themes related to mental health and personal well-being. The author reflects on her own experiences with love, happiness, depression, and hope.
Lily and Dunkin by
Eighth-grader Lily Jo McGrother, who identifies as a girl even though born in a boy's body, makes friends with Norbert "Dunkin" Dorfman, a boy with bipolar disorder--which is bad enough for his social life, but he is also hiding a terrible secret that makes things much worse. Only Lily Jo and Dunkin's friendship has the power to change their lives.
Nest by
In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.
Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.
The Science of Breakable Things by
Middle schooler Natalie is given a school assignment to answer a question using the scientific process. Her teachers suggests that Natalie enter an egg drop competition. Natalie hopes to use the prize money to fly her mother to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids, flowers that survive against impossible odds, to help her mother love life again. Her efforts lead to truths about her botanist mother's depression and her own cultural identity.
Some Kind of Happiness by
Eleven-year-old Finley Hart isn't happy to be spending the summer with grandparents she's never met. And no matter how much her parents pretend things are okay, she knows their marriage is in trouble. Finley finds escape in a forest kingdom called Everwood that she's created in her notebook. When she discovers the kingdom is real and in grave danger, Finley and her cousins set out to save it. But first she has to save herself from her own sadness.
The Whole Story of Half a Girl by
After her father loses his job, half-Indian half-Jewish sixth-grader Sonia moves to a new public school and is quickly overcome by culture shock. When her father is diagnosed with depression, Sonia finds it even harder to cope with the changes taking place within her family.
For Black Girls Like Me by
Eleven-year-old Makeda June Kirkland struggles to find her place in her new school after her family moves from Maryland to New Mexico. Makeda, who is of African American decent and has been adopted into an all white family, wonders how life might be different if she were part of a family that looks like her. In the midst of it all, she must deal with her mother's recent mental health diagnosis and mood swings that come with her being bipolar.
Coping with Eating Disorders by
At least 30 million people in the United States suffer from eating disorders, and these mental health conditions affect people of all ages and genders. This candid guide provides straightforward information about what triggers disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder; how to spot them in a loved one; signs of an impending relapse; and steps toward recovery.
Elena Vanishing by
Memoir of Elenda Dunkle about dealing with her severe case of anorexia nervosa. When she was seventeen her body started to break down, she found herself going from hospital to hospital, and Elena realized her own conscience was her greatest enemy.
Perfect by
For 13-year-old Isabelle Lee, whose father has recently died, everything's normal on the outside. Isabelle describes the scene at school with bemused accuracy--the self-important (but really not bad) English teacher, the boy that is constantly fixated on Ashley Barnum, the prettiest girl in class, and the dynamics of the lunchroom, where tables are turf in a all-eyes-open awareness of everybody's relative social position.But everything is not normal, really. Since the dealth of her father, Isabelle's family has only functioned on the surface. Her mother, who used to take care of herself, now wears only lumpy, ill-fitting clothes, cries all night, and has taken every picture of her dead husband and put them under her bed. Isabelle tries to make light of this, but the underlying tension is expressed in overeating and then binging. As the novel opens, Isabelle's little sister, April, has told their mother about Isabelle's problem. Isabelle is enrolled in group therapy. Who should show up there, too, but Ashley Barnum, the prettiest, most together girl in class.
Self-Image and Eating Disorders by
Introduces readers to aspects of self-image, exploring how they view themselves and others. Shows how to build up self-image and avoid negative body image thoughts, and examines external influences on self-image.
Still a Work in Progress by
Noah was hoping for a normal seventh-grade year, but no such luck. The girls confuse him, his friends are starting to annoy him, and his older sister, Emma, seems to follow ever-stricter food rules and regulations. The only place Noah feels himself is in art class, with a lump of clay on the wheel. When Emma's condition takes a turn for the worse, Noah must find a way to help himself, and those he loves, in the crisis.
Teens and Eating Disorders by
Introduces eating disorders in teens including what causes them, how to live with one, and what cures are available.
Teens Talk about Body Image and Eating Disorders by
Teens who suffer from body image issues and eating disorders discuss how these disorders make them feel and how they face the challenges that go along with living with these conditions. Also includes teens talking about how they support their friends living with these conditions.
Wintergirls by
Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with her best friend's death from anorexia as she struggles with the same disorder.
You Are Enough by
Provides a guide for those struggling with eating disorders and body image problems to achieve health and wellness. The author draws on her own journey through an eating disorder, and provides practical advice on topics such as how to seek help, common myths and pitfalls, and how to navigate society, family, and peer pressure.
The Boy in the Black Suit by
Matt wears a black suit every day, not because his mom died—although she did, and it sucks. He wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home. Then Matt meets Lovey who's been through more crazy stuff than he can imagine. Yet, she’s tough in the way Matt wishes he could be. Because there’s nothing more hopeful than finding a person who understands your loneliness—and who can maybe even help take it away.
Speak of Me as I Am by
Melanie and Damon are both living in the shadow of loss. For Melanie, it's the loss of her larger-than-life artist mother, taken by cancer well before her time. For Damon, it’s the loss of his best friend, Carlos, who took his own life. As they struggle to fill the empty spaces their loved ones left behind, fate conspires to bring them together.
Some of the Parts by
For months, Tallie McGovern has been coping with the death of her older brother the only way she knows how: by smiling bravely and pretending that she’s okay. She’s managed to fool her friends, her parents, and her teachers, yet she can’t even say his name out loud: “N—” is as far as she can go. Then Tallie comes across a letter in the mail, and it only takes two words to crack the careful façade she’s built up.
The Start of Me and You by
It's been a year since it happened--when Paige Hancock's first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her--the perfect way to convince everyone she's back to normal. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?
How to Save a Life by
Told from their own viewpoints, seventeen-year-old Jill, in grief over the loss of her father, and Mandy, nearly nineteen, are thrown together when Jill's mother agrees to adopt Mandy's unborn child but nothing turns out as they had anticipated.
Breathe, Annie, Breathe by
To honor her dead boyfriend and cope with her grief and guilt, college student Annie trains for a marathon with athletic Jeremiah, who flirts with Annie on the trails and makes her feel alive and happy and guilty all at the same time.
Summerlost by
Following the sudden deaths of her father and autistic younger brother, Cedar Lee spends the summer working at a Shakespearean theater festival, making a new friend, and coming to terms with her grief.
What If a Fish by
Even since before Papa died, half-Colombian Eddie Aguado has never truly felt Colombian, but now with only his Colombian Papa's third-place fishing trophy to remember him by, he feels even more displaced from his heritage. A chance comes to leave Minnesota and spend the summer in Colombia when his older half brother invites him to an adventure.
Dancing at the Pity Party by
From before her mother's first oncology appointment through the stages of her cancer to the funeral, sitting shiva, and afterward, when she must try to make sense of her life as a motherless daughter, Tyler Feder tells her story in this graphic novel that is full of piercing--but also often funny--details.
Anger Is a Gift by
Moss Jeffries is many things—considerate student, devoted son, loyal friend and affectionate boyfriend, enthusiastic nerd. But sometimes Moss still wishes he could be someone else—someone without panic attacks, someone whose father was still alive, someone who hadn’t become a rallying point for a community because of one horrible night. And most of all, he wishes he didn’t feel so stuck. Moss can’t even escape at school—he and his friends are subject to the lack of funds and crumbling infrastructure at West Oakland High, as well as constant intimidation by the resource officer stationed in their halls. That was even before the new regulations—it seems sometimes that the students are treated more like criminals.
Something will have to change—but who will listen to a group of teens? When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes again, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.
Birdie and Me by
After their mother dies in a car accident, twelve-year-old Jack and her gender nonconforming younger brother Birdie must leave their fun-loving but unreliable uncle Carl, and move in with their stoic and stern uncle Patrick. Then Birdie is bullied at school, and Patrick forbids anything sparkly. Jack tries to channel some of the magic their mother believed in, but still the four of them are forced to confront their grief and the circumstances behind Jack and Birdie's mother's death.
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by
After her mother dies, thirteen-year-old Lydia moves into a Connecticut farm with Aunt Brat, her wife Eileen, and the elderly live-in landlord Elloroy. Upon her arrival, Aunt Brat adopts a rescue dog who can't seem to stay out of trouble. Lydia struggles to cope with her mother's death, a new school, and a lovable, yet terrible, dog--all while keeping her secrets intact.
Fadeaway by
The summer before their freshman year of high school, best friends Sam and Reagan are busy practicing for basketball tryouts and building up their new wardrobes when tragedy strikes out of nowhere--Reagan's heart gives out, leaving Sam bereft of her only friend in her new school. Now Sam must find a way to go on even though life makes no sense anymore--until she mysteriously hears Reagan's voice again.
The Notations of Cooper Cameron by 
All Three Stooges by
Seventh grader Noah Cohen and his best friend, Dash, are obsessed with comedy. When Dash's father dies suddenly and Dash shuts Noah out, Noah's confusion, frustration, and determination to reach Dash threatens to destroy their friendship. Noah turns to comedy to try and salvage his friendship and make sense of the grief that is affecting everyone he loves.
The Seventh Most Important Thing by
In 1963, thirteen-year-old Arthur is sentenced to community service helping the neighborhood Junk Man after he throws a brick at the old man's head in a moment of rage, but the junk he collects might be more important than Arthur suspects.
The Thing About Jellyfish by
After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting--things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.
The Goldfish Boy by
Matthew Corbin has struggled with a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder since the death of his baby brother five years ago--a tragedy he blames on himself. When a toddler goes missing next door, Matthew starts his own investigation with the help of his neighborhood friends. And in the process of uncovering the truth, Matthew just might be able to break free from his own demons.
Kat Greene Comes Clean by
Fifth-grader Kat Greene is struggling with her boy-crazy best friend, her lame role in the production of Harriet the Spy at her progressive New York City school, and her mother's preoccupation with cleanliness--a symptom of her worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by
Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn’t remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she’s technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test–middle school! Lucy’s grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that’s not a math textbook!). Lucy’s not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy’s life has already been solved. Unless there’s been a miscalculation?
Say What You Will by
Seventeen-year-old Amy has cerebral palsy, speaks with an electronic speech computer, and uses adult aides. In her last year of high school, Amy decides to hire a peer to help her make friends. OCD-suffering Matthew becomes her peer helper and the two develop an unlikely friendship that leads to love.
Turtles All the Way Down by
Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
Challenger Deep by
Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench. Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.
Where the Watermelons Grow by
Twelve-year-old Della Kelly tries to cope with her mother's mental illness while her daddy struggles to save their family farm in North Carolina. Della takes it upon herself to care for her little sister and heal her mama with a jar of the Bee Lady's magic honey. But when the Bee Lady gives Della some gentle advice, Della begins to see that love means accepting her mama just as she is.
Cut by
While confined to a mental hospital, thirteen-year-old Callie slowly comes to understand some of the reasons behind her self-mutilation, and gradually starts to get better.
Cutting and Self-Injury by
Explains what self-injury and cutting are, why young adults feel the need to do these behaviors, and actions to take to help someone else or yourself stop these behaviors.
Someone Else's Shoes by
Twelve-year-old Izzy's life just seems to get more and more complicated: she is upset by her father's new marriage, and a new baby on the way; she is expected to look out for her ten-year-old cousin, Oliver, who has moved in with her family since his mother committed suicide, because his father is depressed and having trouble coping.
Teens and Suicide by
Explores the topic of suicide with real teens, discussing why teens commit suicide, daily life for teens with suicidal thoughts, and how to prevent suicide.
Teen Suicide by
Describes the causes, warning signs, and prevention of teen suicide. Also discusses coping with loss and grief after a suicide.
American Road Trip by
Some difficult circumstances bring Teodoro "T" Avila down the summer before his senior year, not least of which being his beloved older brother Manny returning from Iraq with severe PTSD. Desperate to save Manny from himself and to heal his family, T's fiery sister, Xochitl, tricks her brothers into going on a road trip together.
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by
A young girl in a Nigerian village has modest hopes--of getting a new pair of shoes, a university degree, and even a husband--but those hopes are dashed when Boko Haram and the Islamic terrorist group attack her village. She and many other girls and women are kidnapped and taken into the forest, where they are forced to follow Boko Haram's radical beliefs.
Each Tiny Spark by
Twelve-year-old Emilia Torres finds her life in upheaval when her father returns from deployment and his mother immediately leaves on a business trip. Her father begins to spend all his time in the garage working on an old car and Emilia, despite her Inattentive Type ADHD becomes fascinated by his welding and her father, a shell of his former self, becomes more animated as he teaches her the craft. Meanwhile, a project at school brings new insight to her immigrant status and she is forced to confront a friend's bigotry.
Hey, Kiddo by
A graphic novel memoir by author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka who describes growing up with an addict mother, a missing father, and two loving, opinionated grandparents who raised him into his teen years. Describes how Krosoczka relied on his art to express himself and to survive the ups and downs of life.
The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins by
Twelve-year-old Lyndon “Lyndie” Hawkins goes to live with her grandparents when her Vietnam veteran father loses his job. Set in 1985 Tennessee, Lyndie is immediately at odds with her grandmother who insists on Lyndie becoming a nice Southern girl. A lover of history, Lyndie investigates secrets about her father's struggles, much to the chagrin of her grandmother who believes in keeping family secrets at all costs to protect the family reputation.