Mind Matters: 6 books that make mental health conversations child-friendly

We are social beings. A child’s development, mental health, and attitude towards mental health are impacted by their first social platform—a family. If we’ve spent the last few decades talking about mental health issues in hushed tones, treating them like the villains of our lives, then we owe kids the reminder that like in the stories we read them, the dark clouds part, hope and light prevails, and the big bad villain always gets defeated. 

In a world with an alarming increase in triggers, weaving mental health into the stories our kids grow up reading is a sure-fire way to encourage support and have a lasting impact.

Cosmopolitan India does a roundup of six of our favourite reads on the subject for your little ones and you.

C IS FOR CAT. D IS FOR DEPRESSION. BY KAIRAVI BHARAT RAM 

Down through a path darkened by scary clouds, storms, and sticky mud, the author weaves in stories of depression and sadness with courage and grit in C is for Cat. D is for Depression. Through a magical world of colours, textures, rhymes, and illustrations and a storytelling format that naturally comforts children, she imprints a deeper understanding of depression in a child-friendly manner and a sense of hope that leaves a lasting positive impact on kids. The book encourages adults to deal with kids with depression in a more empathetic manner and comforts children who experience similar feelings that they are not alone.

HEY WARRIOR BY KAREN YOUNG 

A psychologist by profession, author Karen Young wrote Hey Warrior with the belief that aware kids are empowered kids. This book not only imparts a child-friendly physiological understanding of anxiety, but also equips young readers with the vocabulary to adequately express their mental state and experiences. This is a great joint reading activity for parents and kids.  

THE PRINCESS AND THE FOG BY LLOYD JONES

A story about a happy princess who had everything she wanted in life until a fog of depression came her way, The Princess and the Frog is a progressive spin on a familiar childhood classic that uses vibrant illustrations, simple metaphors, and humour. It not only helps children understand what the symptoms of depression can look like when your physical world remains unchanged, but also expresses hope that things can be better by being open to help and support. 

AFTER THE FALL: HOW HUMPTY GOT BACK UP AGAIN BY DAN SANTET 

Santet uses the age-old nursery rhyme, ‘Humpty Dumpty’, to reach out to a built-in audience to express that life starts when you get back up again. The story begins where the rhyme ends—after Humpty has fallen and is too scared to get back up and how his fear holds him back from doing things he loves the most. The author highlights that fear is normal and reiterates the importance of overcoming it and having courage.

THE WHATIFS BY EMILY KILGORE

Connecting with the young audience through this charming and whimsical picture book, The Whatifs is about young Cora, who worries about everything so much that the pesky little creatures called ‘Whatifs’ sneak up on her and fill her with all kinds of doubts. The story describes her increasing anxiety as her piano recital comes closer and the ‘Whatifs’ clinging onto her tighter and how through the encouragement of her support system she changes her worry-fuelled thoughts to hopeful ones. Kilgore impresses with the relatability of this book and the character for children at an age where they have a million what-if questions every day. 

MY MONSTER AND ME BY NADIYA HUSSAIN

A heartfelt story from the winner of The Great British Baking Show and star of Nadiya’s Time to Eat, My Monster and Me is about a little boy whose worry monster follows him everywhere he goes. This story amplifies the importance of timely identification of mental health issues in young children, whatever way, shape or form they may come in and tools for children and parents to address them.