Resources:

Books for Children

"What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety" by Dawn Huebner
A child-friendly, interactive self-help guide that teaches kids how to manage anxiety through engaging activities and coping techniques.

"When My Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live with Anxiety" by Kari Dunn Buron
This book uses simple language and illustrations to help children with anxiety recognize and manage their feelings of worry and stress.

"The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings" by Anna Llenas
This visually engaging book helps young children understand and label their emotions through the adventures of a monster who experiences different feelings.

"A Terrible Thing Happened" by Margaret M. Holmes
A story for children who have experienced trauma, this book helps them process difficult emotions through the story of a raccoon dealing with a terrible event.

"The Huge Bag of Worries" by Virginia Ironside
This is a helpful story for children who feel overwhelmed by worry, teaching them how to talk about and let go of their anxious thoughts.

"My Many Colored Days" by Dr. Seuss
A colorful book that connects different emotions to colors, helping children better understand and express their feelings in a playful, imaginative way.

"Wilma Jean the Worry Machine" by Julia Cook
This book teaches kids how to identify and deal with anxiety in a positive, playful way, offering practical strategies for managing worry.

"The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst
A comforting book that helps children dealing with separation anxiety or loss, reassuring them that love connects us all, even when we're apart.

"Ruby Finds a Worry" by Tom Percival
This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Ruby, a little girl who finds a worry that grows bigger each day. The story teaches children that talking about their worries can help them feel better.

"Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere" by Kira Willey
A practical guide that introduces mindfulness and breathing exercises to help children manage stress and anxiety. Each exercise is written in a way that’s easy for young kids to follow.

"I’m Worried" by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi
In this humorous and heartfelt book, children learn that it’s okay to have worries but that worrying doesn’t have to take over their lives. It’s a great tool for helping young readers understand their anxious feelings.

“Guts: A Graphic Novel” by Raina Telgemeier
Guts is a graphic memoir based on the author’s childhood. It is a warm, frank portrayal of a young girl's anxiety, tummy troubles, friend issues and more.

Books for Adolescents

"It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
A novel that tackles depression and the pressures of adolescence, based on the author’s personal experience with mental health challenges.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
A coming-of-age novel that explores mental health issues, trauma, and self-identity through the eyes of a shy teenager named Charlie.

"All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
A story about two teenagers dealing with grief and mental illness, this book explores the impact of depression and the importance of human connection.

"Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things" by Jenny Lawson
While geared toward older teens and adults, this book offers a humorous yet honest look at living with mental illness, encouraging readers to embrace life’s chaos with laughter.

"Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram
This novel addresses depression, identity, and cultural struggles as Darius, a Persian-American teenager, navigates life, family, and mental health.

"The Rest of Us Just Live Here" by Patrick Ness
A novel that focuses on anxiety and existential fears, it explores the idea that not every teen has to be a hero, and it’s okay to just live your life.

"Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green
This novel offers an intimate look at living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, giving readers an honest portrayal of mental health struggles.

"The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens: CBT Skills to Overcome Fear, Worry, and Panic" by Jennifer Shannon
A practical guide that teaches adolescents cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage anxiety and build resilience.

"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
A powerful novel about trauma and depression, following a high school student named Melinda as she struggles to find her voice after a traumatic event.

"The Astonishing Color of After" by Emily X.R. Pan
This novel explores grief, mental health, and healing through the lens of magical realism. It follows a teenager who deals with depression and the loss of a loved one while searching for closure and understanding.

"The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Build Confidence and Achieve Your Goals" by Lisa M. Schab
A workbook offering practical exercises and techniques to help teens build self-esteem, confidence, and emotional resilience. It’s particularly helpful for those struggling with depression or anxiety.

"Every Last Word" by Tamara Ireland Stone
This novel tells the story of a teenage girl with OCD who learns to navigate her mental health challenges while finding solace in poetry. It’s a powerful depiction of the struggles and breakthroughs of living with mental illness.