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Fall 2026
Improving Family Mental Health

Today’s families face unique challenges in supporting their children’s mental health. And many parents and caregivers find that, as they encourage their kids’ well-being, they also need their own resources.

In this Family Mental Health update, we share:

  • 41 top-rated books (suitable for children aged 3 to 18+, plus one bonus book for adults) that parents and kids can enjoy together to spark conversations
  • resources for family members, available from well-regarded American and Canadian mental health organizations
  • personal essays from fellow parents and caregivers to remind families they are not alone in their struggles
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Best Mental Health Books for Kids, Tweens, and Teens

How can adults help children learn how to protect their mental health, especially before they become teenagers? One way is to find and share helpful mental health books for kids. Books offer parents, caregivers and educators a useful way to start conversations about anxiety, depression, bullying, body image and other challenges. 

Explore Menderist’s list, below, of 41 recommended children’s books about mental health, chosen to support conversations between kids and parents; caregivers; educators; and mental health professionals.

View the Books ➞

Mental Health Resources for American and Canadian Families

An introduction to resources for parents and caregivers supporting adolescents, teens, and young adults with mental health struggles. We highlight offerings from leading mental health organizations in both Canada and the United States.

Personal Essays about Children’s Mental Health

Contributors share their personal experience with navigating children’s mental health issues.

How We Helped Our Son Navigate Severe Anxiety

A parent looks back on a son’s experience with severe anxiety, and the actions that helped the most in improving his mental health.

“The promising start to the high school year came to an abrupt end, and my son struggled with his health, then fell into a debilitating depression. Meanwhile, our family scrambled to figure out how to help….”

Helping Family When a Child has Serious Mental Health Issues

A parent of a teenager with severe mental health issues shares steps that are helping manage fear and anxiety affecting the rest of the family.

“How will I manage the impact of one child’s severe mental health issues on our family? My challenge has been to address that issue as our household has dealt with my daughter’s challenges….”

Teenagers Share Messages of Hope and Empathy

Empathy and community are living on in young people, explains a school librarian. She shares an example of teens supporting each other through messages in a popular book.

“I left the words of real teens where it was – to keep their feeling of connection through story and life alive.”

More Family Mental Health ➞

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12 Children’s Books About Mental Health to Read With Your Kids: Spring 2026

Here are 12 new reviews of children’s books about mental health, suggested as titles for parents and kids to share. Adults have the option of reading a book on their own, or with their child. Leading American and Canadian organizations recommend the books, which include 10 fiction titles and two guidebooks. We chose these books in recognition that an estimated 13 to 20 percent of mental health problems begin by the early adolescent years of 11 to 14.
READ MORE ➞ 12 Children’s Books About Mental Health to Read With Your Kids: Spring 2026