R U OK? Day Reads

Picture Books:

Not in the mood

Hedgehog didn't want to play outside, he didn't want to play dress-up, he didn't want to go skydiving, he even didn't want his favourite noodles. He was, simply, Not in the Mood.

A heartwarming tale of a hedgehog who wakes up feeling sad and doesn't know why. But with patience and understanding, his friends help him understand that it's okay to have tough days. Through love and friendship, they show him that feelings, like the weather, can change.

Cookie

Cookie the Border Collie loves lots of things, like smelling smelly smells, chewing chewy things, going for adventures and making friends. But most of all, Cookie loves Girl.

Join this inseparable pair as they play together and learn how to make each other happy, even on the days when Cookie is the only one who can make Girl smile.
Cookie is a heart-warming story about the love between a pet and their person. It is also a sensitive exploration of childhood depression and anxiety, and the importance of empathy. With beautiful words and playful illustrations, it provides a gentle starting point for big conversations.

Together things : when her father feels sad, a little girl finds ways to keep the bonds of love alive

Her mother says you can't see her daddy's hurt because it's inside his head...
One in five adults experiences depression in their lifetime, but young children are often left in the dark when their mother or father suddenly can't play like they used to.

Together Things is for young children who know what it's like to live with a parent experiencing mental illness, helping them to understand - in an age appropriate and sensitive way - that it is okay for them to feel mad or sad about their parent's illness, but that, while their parent is getting better, they may have to do different things together to preserve their relationship, such as reading stories or drawing pictures, instead of the imaginative play their parent cannot currently envision through the haze of mental illness.

Through this story about a girl and her father, young children can understand the importance of mental health discussions and that sometimes they must adapt their interactions while the people in their lives focus on their mental health.

ABC of feelings

From Anxious to Zany, kids have a wide range of emotions...explore them all through ABC of Feelings!
Featuring a charming cast of diverse characters, bright and soulful artwork, and clear descriptions for a whole alphabet of different feelings - like brave, embarrassed, grateful, lonely, and overwhelmed - this first book of emotions gives young readers the vocabulary they need to start discussing how they feel.

Ups and downs: a book for kids about big feelings

All feelings are important -- the magical, the messy, and the in-between. Sometimes though, big feelings can have us behaving in ways that aren't so, let's say... shiny. This happens to all of us.
The more young people understand how and why, the more they can build the capacity to feel their feelings and manage them in positive ways.
'Ups and Downs' draws on Polyvagal Theory, a widely accepted neuroscientific theory, to support young people to understand why they feel, and do as they do, and how to do differently when they need to. Driving brains and bodies isn't easy! It takes time, experience, and the right information, so let's give them that.

Junior Non-Fiction:

Self-esteem and mental health

Growing up isn't always easy - your brain is changing and there's many things to cope with from new emotions to stress.
This book explores what is self-esteem and mental health and why it's important and looks at topics such as mental illness, phobias, eating disorders and self-harm. It looks at techniques to deal with issues including stress reduction, mindfulness and assertiveness.

Exploring emotions: a mindfulness guide to dealing with emotions

It's a hot and sunny Sports Day, but Abu's internal weather is different. He is feeling nervous and scared. For Abu, feeling nervous is like watching a storm approaching, it can be scary. Manisha's weather is different. She feels angry. Anger is like a burning, hot sun. Kenton feels sad. For Kenton, sadness feels like a grey, drizzly day that seems to last forever.

But they all soon discover that emotions are like the weather, changing throughout the day. Sometimes the weather feels pleasant, when we feel happy, relieved or excited. And sometimes it feels unpleasant, when we feel anger, sadness or frustration. But we don't have to worry about getting stuck with unpleasant emotions because, just like the weather outside, the weather inside will change too.
This book teaches readers to enjoy the pleasant feelings when they are present, and remember that the unpleasant ones will pass.

Young Adult Non-Fiction:

Mental health and me

An authentic and compelling look at mental health issues, as experienced by real-life young people. Mental Health and Me brings together seven stories of teenage struggles, from body image issues to drug abuse, as experienced by real-life teenagers.
First produced as animated documentaries by the BBC, each story has unique honesty and is brought to life with sophisticated, but accessible artwork. This book will help young people to better understand mental health issues, empathise with those who are struggling and possibly even see their own experiences reflected, making them feel more supported and less alone.
The stories are supported by specialist advisory notes supplied by the UK mental health charity MIND. The mental health issues in the book include: Addiction, Anorexia, Anxiety, Bullying, Depression, Self-harm.

Non-Fiction:

The changing man: a mental health guide

Too many men are suffering with their emotional health issues in silence, and male suicide rates are high. Men are affected by everyday stress, high workloads, anxiety and depression, loss of confidence or identity, relationship breakdowns, family disruption, addictions and trauma - just the same as women.
But society has placed a stigma on men's mental health. Men have found it hard to reach out in the past because of a sense of shame that comes from our society. But men are changing. They are re-defining what it is to be 'strong', and are more open to understanding their emotions and reaching out for help.
The Changing Man: A Mental Health Guide explores a range of issues affecting men's emotional health and wellbeing, and provides a collection of tried and tested tools to ensure no man suffers in silence again. From dealing with addiction, to bettering relationships, overcoming depression, working through sexuality concerns and realising that it is okay not to be okay, The Changing Man's methods and knowledge may just change your emotional health for the better.
No shame. No silence. No anger.

Are u ok?: a guide to caring for your mental health

Learn hands-on coping strategies for managing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health concerns with this "compassionate" guide from a licensed therapist and YouTube personality (John Green).
Get answers to your most common questions about mental health and mental illness -- including anxiety, depression, bipolar and eating disorders, and more.
Are u ok? walks readers through the most common questions about mental health and the process of getting help -- from finding the best therapist to navigating harmful and toxic relationships and everything in between.
In the same down-to-earth, friendly tone that makes her videos so popular, licensed marriage and family therapist and YouTube sensation Kati Morton clarifies and destigmatizes the struggles so many of us go through and encourages readers to reach out for help.

Ten things I wish you knew about your child's mental health

Children of all ages are grappling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and behavioural issues, and it can take years to see an expert who can help them.
Dr Billy Garvey is a senior specialist at one of the world's biggest and most prestigious paediatric hospitals.
With over twenty years' experience working with families, he wants to reassure parents that there is no such thing as a bad child and that much of what he tells families in clinic is based on the same principles he outlines in this book.
Regardless of whether you have a young child or a teen on the brink of adulthood, by understanding the foundations of good mental health, you will be able to help them to thrive at any stage in their development.

Minding your mind: understanding your mind, taking control of your mental health

Written with compassion and curiosity, warmth and humour, Minding Your Mind is for anyone who wants the best for their mental well-being but might not know the best way to get there. It's a check-up for everything happening between the ears and through the body, flagging the warning signs when things get wobbly and offering a pathway to a more fulfilling life.

The mind is a marvel. It's at the centre of our most rewarding experiences. It lets in awe and laughter, love and wisdom, and helps us overcome life's great trials. It's our greatest asset, but it can also be our greatest adversary, allowing in self-doubt, anxious thoughts and depression. It can magnify our fears and undermine our best intentions, and lead us into life's darkest corners.
Based on James O'Loghlin and Professor Ian Hickie's popular podcast, Minding Your Mind is an exploration into everything you've ever wanted to know about how the mind works, and the thoughts and emotions that steer our lives.
It also offers practical strategies on how we can understand, change and improve our mental health, covering such topics as: * Burn-out and depression * Hope and despair * Trust and trauma * Humour and community * Trauma and addiction * Anger and self-control * Managing our body clocks * Navigating life's crises * The importance of social connection and community.

What's going on inside my head?: starting conversations with your child about positive mental health

We all know that healthy minds are really important but how do we make sure we look after our mental health from a very young age?
What's Going On Inside My Head? is a book for children that explores practical ways we can keep our minds in good shape as well as our bodies. By talking about positive self-image, emotional intelligence, relationships and mindfulness, this book will help children develop healthy habits and good coping strategies from the start.
Presented in a warm, child-friendly but no-nonsense way it will help establish solid foundations for every child's current and future wellbeing. Perfect for starting conversations with children about their mental and emotional health, What's Going On Inside My Head? is a must for every parent who understands the importance of keeping a healthy mind.

How to help someone with postnatal depression: a practical handbook to postpartum depression and maternal mental health in the first year

If you are watching your partner, daughter, sister or friend struggle through postnatal depression (PND) it can leave you feeling powerless and unsure how best to help.
This book shows you how to best support your loved one in this overwhelming and frightening time.
Specialist maternal mental health psychologist Dr Jenn Cooper first explains what PND is and what it might look like. In many cases, the initial challenge is identifying that your loved one is struggling with something more than the 'baby blues'.