Mental Illness Awareness Week was established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October. In her Publisher’s Weekly article, “Mental Health and Middle Graders,” Shannon Maughan writes, “A 2019 article in JAMA Pediatrics cites data revealing that one in six youths ages six to 17 experience a mental health disorder in a given year, and that in 2016, 16.5% of U.S. youths ages six to 17 (7.7 million people) experienced a mental health disorder.” To read her article in full click here.

In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week, I have gathered together noteworthy books for younger and older children that raise awareness of mental health issues such as grief, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, but also provide titles that promote mental well-being.

Picture Books:

When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland
OverDrive: eBook

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids by Kristen Fischer
Hoopla: eBook, Movie & Read-Along

I Am Yoga by Susan Verde
Hoopla: eBook
OverDrive: eBook

Captain Starfish by Davina Bell
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook

When I Feel Good About Myself by Cornelia Spelman
Hoopla: eBook

Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-By-Pose Wake Up Story by Mariam Gates
Hoopla: eBook, Movie & Read-Along
OverDrive: eBook

What’s Up, Maloo? by Geneviève Godbout
OverDrive: eBook

Goodnight Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story by Mariam Gates
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook, Movie & Read-Along

When I feel Scared by Cornelia Maude Spelman & Kathy Parkinson
Hoopla: eBook

Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino & Carmen Mok
Hoopla: eBook

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: Audiobook

Brave Molly by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook

The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Troy Cummings
OverDrive: eBook

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde & Peter H. Reynolds
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook

Gloria’s Big Problem by Sarah Stiles Bright & Mike Deas
OverDrive: eBook

When I Feel Sad by Cornelia Maude Spelman & Kathy Parkinson
Hoopla: eBook

Mr. Worry: A Story About OCD by Holly L. Niner & Greg Swearingen
OverDrive: eBook

The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee & Pascal Campion
OverDrive: eBook

When I Feel Worried by Cornelia Maude Spelman & Kathy Parkinson
Hoopla: eBook

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
OverDrive: eBook

 

Chapter Books:

Goodbye to Goldie by Fran Manushkin & Tammie Lyon
OverDrive: eBook

A Song Only I Can Hear by Barry Jonsberg
OverDrive: eBook

Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Pla & Steve Wolfhard
Hoopla: eBook
OverDrive: eBook

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
OverDrive: eBook & Audiobook

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
OverDrive: eBook & Audiobook

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
OverDrive: eBook & Audiobook
Hoopla: Audiobook

Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook & Audiobook

OCDaniel by Wesley King
Hoopla: Audiobook
OverDrive: eBook

Hurricane Season by Nicole Melleby
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook & Audiobook

Naked Mole Rat Saves the World by Karen Rivers
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook

The Notations of Cooper Cameron by Jane O'Reilly
OverDrive: eBook
Hoopla: eBook

Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz
OverDrive: eBook

The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
Hoopla: Audiobook
OverDrive: eBook

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
OverDrive: eBook & Audiobook

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
OverDrive: eBook & Audiobook

Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park
OverDrive: eBook

 

Nonfiction:

Cool Relaxing: Healthy and Fun Ways to Chill by Alex Kuskowski
OverDrive: eBook

Meditate With Me: A Step-By-Step Mindfulness Journey by Mariam Gates
OverDrive: eBook

Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime by Kira Willey & Anni Betts
OverDrive: eBook

All Birds Have Anxiety by Kathy Hoopmann
OverDrive: eBook

You Are a Lion & Other Fun Yoga Poses by Taeeun Yoo
OverDrive: eBook

Keep Calm: My Stress-Busting Tips by Gina Bellisario & Renée Kurilla
OverDrive: eBook

Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement & More by Mallika Chopra & Brenna Vaughan
OverDrive: Audiobook

This Moment is Your Life (And So Is This One): A Fun and Easy Guide to Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga by Mariam Gates
OverDrive: eBook

Bunny Breaths: Mindfulness Moments for Kids by Kira Willey & Anni Betts
OverDrive: eBook