Construction Inclusion Week Mental Health Resources: Section 7
Read & Explore: Articles, Blogs, & Books
Challenge and expand your perspective on mental health through the transformative power of reading: question assumptions, sit with discomfort, and embrace the uncomfortable truths that lead to empowerment and growth.
Reading can be a transformative experience, offering a unique lens through which to view mental health. Whether it’s an article that sheds light on a specific issue, a personal blog that shares relatable experiences, or a book that provides in-depth strategies for coping and resilience, the written word has the power to inform and inspire. Engaging with diverse perspectives can deepen your understanding of mental health, foster empathy for yourself and others, and equip you with practical tools for navigating your own journey.
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Understanding Through Reading
Reading about mental health can illuminate the complexities of our experiences and emotions. It allows you to step into someone else’s shoes, gaining insights into their struggles and triumphs. This process fosters empathy, not just for others but also for yourself. When you read about someone else’s journey, you may find reflections of your own challenges, which can validate your feelings and experiences. Understanding that others have faced similar battles can create a sense of connection and reduce feelings of isolation, reminding you that you are not alone in your struggles.
Growth Through Knowledge
Engaging with articles, blogs, and books on mental health can be a catalyst for personal growth. Knowledge empowers you to recognize patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, helping you to identify areas for improvement. Reading about coping strategies, resilience techniques, and self-care practices can provide you with practical tools to implement in your daily life. As you learn more about mental health, you can develop a deeper understanding of your own needs and triggers, enabling you to take proactive steps toward better emotional well-being. This journey of self-discovery can lead to increased self-awareness and a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Reading can also help you cultivate a supportive environment for yourself and those around you. By gaining insights into mental health, you can become a more informed advocate for yourself and others. Sharing what you’ve learned with friends, family, or colleagues can foster open conversations about mental health, breaking down stigma and encouraging others to seek help. Additionally, creating a reading habit can serve as a form of self-care, providing you with moments of reflection and relaxation. By prioritizing reading as a tool for growth, you contribute to a culture of understanding and support, both for yourself and your community.
Resources
Whether you're assessing your emotional foundations, connecting with immediate support, or seeking professional guidance, the following resources work alongside your strengths to keep you strong on and off the job.
ARTICLES
“The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt
On how smartphones and social media are reshaping youth mental health.
https://jonathanhaidt.com/anxious-generation/
“My Teen’s Life Was Ruined by Social Media” – People Magazine
A mother’s powerful account of loss and online harm.
“Suicide Survivor Stories Empowered Me to Live” – Speaking of Suicide
A mental health advocate reflects on the impact of others’ survival stories.
https://speakingofsuicide.com/2023/01/29/survivor-stories-empowered-me/
“Growing Up With a Mentally Ill Parent” by Vinita Mehta – Psychology Today
Six common emotional experiences for children of mentally ill parents.
“Parenting with Mental Illness” – Behavioral Health News
Discusses stigma, strength, and support for parents with a diagnosis.
“The Challenges of Having a Parent With Mental Illness” – Parents.com
A candid look at how kids adapt and cope when a parent struggles.
https://www.parents.com/health/mental/the-challenges-of-having-a-parent-with-mental-illness/
“My Experience of Addiction and Recovery” – Medical News Today
A personal narrative of surviving substance abuse and finding clarity.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323978
“How I Learned to Love Life After Surviving Suicide” – Them Magazine
A queer writer shares their journey from despair to healing.
https://www.them.us/story/i-survived
“What I Learned from My Mother’s Mental Illness” by Liza Long – NAMI
A writer and advocate reflects on the legacy of mental illness in her family.
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2021/What-I-Learned-from-My-Mother-s-Mental-Illness
“Surviving the Impossible: Reflections on Suicide Loss” by Andrew Devendorf – Psychology Today
Honest insight into what suicide loss feels like for those left behind.
Harvard Health Blog – Mental Health Section
Research-backed articles covering everyday mental wellness topics.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/mental-health
The Guardian – “The Promise of Diagnosis” by Moya Sarner
Reflects on how a diagnosis can provide clarity, identity, and hope.
Verywell Mind – “The Importance of Mental Health”
Explains how mental health affects all aspects of life and how to support it.
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-mental-health-for-wellbeing-5207938
BLOGS
Anxious Lass by Kelly Jean
Kelly Jean candidly shares her experiences with social anxiety, offering advice, personal stories, and resources to help others navigate similar challenges.
Sober Señorita by Kelly Fitzgerald Junco
Kelly chronicles her journey to sobriety, discussing the realities of addiction recovery and providing support.
Sanity Daily by Priyanka Joshi
Priyanka offers insights into mental health, self-care, and personal growth, drawing from her own experiences to support and empower readers.
The Blurt Foundation Blog
This blog shares personal stories and resources aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of depression and mental health challenges.
https://www.blurtitout.org/blog/
Walking in Sober Boots by Damian
Damian shares his journey through addiction recovery, offering reflections, poems, and encouragement for those on similar paths.
More Than Bipolar by Carolina Díaz Pimentel
Carolina, a Peruvian journalist and mental health activist, shares her experiences living with bipolar disorder and autism, aiming to destigmatize mental health conditions.
https://www.masqueunabipolar.com/Wikipedia
Cope Notes by Johnny Crowder
Johnny, a musician and mental health advocate, offers daily mental health support through text messages and shares his personal journey with mental illness.
The Food Medic by Dr. Hazel Wallace
Dr. Hazel combines her medical expertise with personal experiences to provide insights into nutrition, mental health, and overall well-being.
https://www.thefoodmedic.co.uk/
The Worry Games by Anna Lisa
Anna Lisa shares her journey with anxiety disorders, offering practical advice and personal stories to help others manage their mental health.
Lawrence Lindell’s Blog
Lawrence, a cartoonist and educator, uses his art to discuss his experiences with bipolar disorder and PTSD, aiming to create a supportive community.
BOOKS - EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE
Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions
By Johann Hari
An exploration of the underlying causes of depression and anxiety, challenging traditional narratives.
https://thelostconnections.com/buy-the-book/
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
By Judith Lewis Herman
A foundational text that explores the profound effects of trauma on individuals and society, outlining a path
to healing through understanding and empowerment.
https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Recovery-Aftermath-Violence-Political/dp/0465061710
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
By Bessel van der Kolk
Explores how trauma affects the body and mind, and offers innovative treatments.
https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score
Man’s Search for Meaning
By Viktor E. Frankl
A Holocaust survivor’s reflections on finding purpose through suffering.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/529385/mans-search-for-meaning-by-viktor-e-frankl/
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity
By Nadine Burke Harris
Examines the impact of childhood trauma on long-term health and offers solutions.
https://www.nadineburkeharris.com/the-deepest-well
It’s Not Always Depression: Working the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions,
and Connect to Your Authentic Self
By Hilary Jacobs Hendel
Introduces the Change Triangle tool for emotional health and healing.
https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/its-not-always-depression
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression
By Andrew Solomon
A comprehensive study of depression, blending personal narrative with scientific research.
https://andrewsolomon.com/books/the-noonday-demon/
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving
By Pete Walker
Provides insights and tools for recovering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
https://www.amazon.com/Complex-PTSD-Surviving-Pete-Walker/dp/1492871842
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living
By Russ Harris
Introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help readers reduce stress and find fulfillment.
Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide
By Kay Redfield Jamison
A comprehensive examination of suicide, blending personal experience with scientific research to explore its
causes and prevention.
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Falls-Fast-Understanding-Suicide/dp/0375701478
BOOKS - MEMOIRS & PERSONAL NARRATIVES
While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence
By Meg Kissinger
A journalist’s exploration of her family’s struggle with mental illness and the broader societal implications.
https://www.megkissinger.com/about-the-book
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things
By Jenny Lawson
A humorous and honest account of living with mental illness.
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250077028/furiouslyhappy
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness
By Kay Redfield Jamison
A clinical psychologist’s personal journey with bipolar disorder.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/87271/an-unquiet-mind-by-kay-redfield-jamison/
Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness
By William Styron
An intimate portrait of the author’s battle with depression.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/174292/darkness-visible-by-william-styron/
The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness
By Elyn R. Saks
A law professor’s account of living with schizophrenia.
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/elyn-r-saks/the-center-cannot-hold/9781401309442/
Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So: A Memoir
By Mark Vonnegut
A candid narrative of the author’s experiences with mental illness.
Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me: Depression in the First Person
By Anna Mehler Paperny
A journalist’s candid account of her experiences with major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation.
The Wounds Within: A Veteran, a PTSD Therapist, and a Nation Unprepared
By Mark I. Nickerson and Joshua S. Goldstein
An exploration of a veteran’s struggle with PTSD and the systemic challenges faced by those seeking help.
https://www.amazon.com/Wounds-Within-Veteran-Therapist-Unprepared/dp/1632204193
Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget
By Sarah Hepola
A memoir detailing the author’s journey through alcoholism and recovery.
https://www.sarahhepola.com/blackout
Lit: A Memoir
By Mary Karr
An account of the author’s struggles with alcoholism and her path to sobriety.
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/lit-mary-karr?variant=40908367257698
Personal Assessment
Gentle Prompts for Reflection
What topics related to mental health resonate with me the most, and why?
How has reading about mental health changed my perspective on my own experiences?
What strategies or insights have I learned from reading that I can apply to my life?
How can I create a routine that incorporates reading as a form of self-care?
In what ways can I share what I’ve learned about mental health with others to foster understanding?
Quotes for Reflection
“The only journey is the one within.” — Rainer Maria Rilke
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” — Stephen King
“Reading is a form of therapy.” — Anonymous
“We read to know we are not alone.” — C.S. Lewis
“Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.” — Fernando Pessoa
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