By: Annie Fish, Program Director for NAMI KDK
Need recommendations on books, podcasts, apps, and more that are related to mental health? We've got you covered.
Books:
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Depression: Teen's Guide to Survive and Thrive by Jacqueline Toner & Claire Freeland
Permission to Mourn: A New Way to Do Grief by Tom Zuba
My Strong Mind (children's book) by Neils van Hove
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers
Declutter Your Mind by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport
Get Out of Your Own Way by Mark Goulstand M.D. & Philip Goldberg
Podcasts:
Optimal Living Daily with Justin Malik
Mad World by Byrony Gordon
Mentally Yours by the Metro
The Struggle Bus by Katharine Heller & Sally Tamarkin
The Hilarious World of Depression with Joe Moe
Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin
Anxiety Slayer with Shann Vander Leek & Ananja Sivyer
The Savvy Psychologist by quickanddirtytips.com
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Apps:
Insight Timer: free meditation app, music, educational talks
Calm: breathing, anxiety help, meditation, sleep aid, relaxing music, etc.
notOK: free for teens, red button activates & contacts 5 emergency contacts in crisis.
CBT Thought Record Diary: free cognitive behavioral therapy tool, record thoughts, re-analyze them
IMoodJournal: part personal journal and part mood tracker, can record meds, energy, & symptoms
Happify: psychologist approved mood training program, has engaging games, activity suggestions, & gratitude prompts
nOCD: free app for OCD, weekly tests for progress, immediate support for OCD episode
PTSD Coach: free app made by VA, helps with self-assessment, positive self talk, and anger management tools
UCSF Prime: free app for those living with schizophrenia, community of support, challenge goals
Rise Up and Recover: free app for those living with an eating disorder, tracks mood during meals, track progress, quick coping strategies
Other:
Check out Brené Brown and her books, interviews, podcasts, TED Talks, etc. We highly recommend her work and the way she is able to share it so well.
Inside Out is a great movie for all ages to get a better understanding of mental health and emotions
Perks of Being a Wallflower is another good movie to show a journey of an adolescent with a mental health condition
Music helps connect emotions and it helps stimulate and activate many brain regions
Use humor as a coping tool. Laughter is therapy and does help the mind produce healthy emotions and functions
Depression Quest is a video game that aims to help people with depression understand that they are not alone
These are by no means part of a complete list of resources. If you are interested in a specific topic related to mental health and want to find more resources, please reach out to us at info@namikdk.org.
Remember to unplug and use other healthy habits and coping mechanisms in your toolbox too!