There are many YA books that handle the topic of mental illness, but these books are a little different. They are included in this list because they are about emotional health. The characters develop coping mechanisms to deal with depression and anxiety. Young people will see healthy coping skills in action in each of the characters.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), “Teen depression can affect a teen regardless of gender, social background, income level, race, or school or other achievements, though teenage girls report suffering from depression more often than teenage boys.” There is a good chance that someone you come in contact with in your library, classroom, or everyday life can be helped by one of these books.
YA books that promote mental health
See earlier CMLE posts that dealt with this same subject!
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