Book Healing for Teens

Approximately 1 in 5 children and youth in Ontario has a mental health challenge. These challenges can take many forms such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, eating disorders and more. With the current pandemic, many teens are continuing to feel worsening symptoms and new stressors and anxiety in their life, it is important that you know that you are not alone. These feelings of stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges and everyday high school life can feel isolating but many find solace in reading about others facing similar challenges. Books provide a great way to open up conversations about these issues and a way to break down the stigma around mental illnesses. 

Here are some titles that deal with teens and mental health challenges:

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While these books may be a great way for you to reflect on your own mental well-being and help you start a conversation with someone you trust about your mental health challenges, it is not a replacement for professional help. There are many free resources out there that can provide support, here are just a few:

https://kidshelpphone.ca/
https://jack.org/Resources/COVID-19-Youth-Mental-Health-Resource-Hub
https://smho-smso.ca/
https://cmho.org/resources/
https://good2talk.ca/
https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/child-and-youth-mental-health-signs-and-symptoms/

Sources:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/children-and-youth-mental-health-signs-and-symptoms?_ga=2.165674169.765421759.1610396714-1914877641.1610396712
https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/addressing-stigma
https://nationaleducationsummit.com.au/new-blog/developmental-bibliotherapy
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=bibliotherapy-for-teens-helpful-tips-and-recommended-fiction
https://cmho.org/how-the-pandemic-impacts-childens-mental-health/
http://www.penguinteen.com/10-books-to-read-during-mental-health-awareness-month/
https://www.bustle.com/articles/175881-8-books-about-mental-health-every-teenager-should-read
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50642/how-bibliotherapy-can-help-students-open-up-about-their-mental-health
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/liking-the-child-you-love/201601/the-rising-epidemic-anxiety-in-children-and-teens