As a mom to a Gen Z kiddo and a brand-new grandma (Woohoo! Go me!), I know how crucial it is to not only seek out life’s joys but also to delve into our emotional and mental well-being.
I want to journey down every path, not just for me, but with my daughter. Because let’s be real, navigating this thing we call life can drive you bonkers if you let it.
There’s no handbook to life, and I get that most Gen Z sweethearts feel like they have to have life all figured out in their 20s, which can lead to stress and many other issues. Do yourself a favor, pick up a book, find a comfy chair, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and carve out a little ‘you’ time. Have a few laughs and then carry on with your day.
You can read more about the books by clicking the link and choosing the one that’s best for you. In today’s whirlwind world, mental health is a topic we can’t ignore, especially among the Gen Z crowd. This generation is more open about their mental health struggles and uses humor as a way to cope.
I’ve put together a list of five books that tackle mental health topics with humor, making them engaging reads for Gen Z. So, relax, get comfy, and read.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out each book for more details.
1. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Furiously Happy is a humorous exploration of Lawson’s experiences with severe depression and anxiety. Lawson decides to be ‘furiously happy’ to combat her depression, leading to bizarre situations like midnight cat rodeos.
Her frankness on personal issues like body image, self-consciousness, introversion, relationships, and the frequency of bra-washing makes her comics highly relatable and deeply hilarious.
The book is a testament to the power of humor in dealing with life’s challenges and is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with mental health issues.
Hyperbole and a Half is a graphic novel that uses humor to discuss the author’s struggles with depression.
It’s a collection of stories and drawings that depict Brosh’s past and present, capturing the essence of what it’s like to grapple with uncontrollable situations and emotions.
A memorable moment is the story “Adventures in Depression,” where Brosh uses humor and simple drawings to provide a poignant depiction of her personal experience with depression.
The book is both hilarious and insightful, offering a fresh perspective on the realities of living with depression.
3. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened is a memoir that uses humor to discuss mental health and personal experiences.
It’s a collection of stories about Lawson’s upbringing in rural Texas, her awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor.
A standout moment is when Lawson recounts her childhood memory of her father waking up the family in the middle of the night to show them a magical talking squirrel.
The book is both entertaining and enlightening, offering a candid look at life with mental illness.
4 .“Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Don’t Want to Talk About”
This book is a heartfelt exploration of mental health from the perspective of both a pastor and a psychotherapist.
Waller emphasizes that mental health issues are not a symptom of a spiritual failing or insufficient faith; rather, suffering is the very thing our Savior seeks to heal as he leads us toward restoration.
Waller combines practical theology, clinical insights, and deep empathy to offer a rare mix of companionship and truth.
He invites us to have shame-free conversations about mental health, understand the intersection of biology, psychology, and spirituality, and explore varying avenues of healing in community, therapy, and medication.
A standout moment in the book is when Waller reminds us that we don’t have to suffer alone. This book bridges the gap between the spiritual and the psychological, reminding us all that we are not alone. Hope starts now.4.
Anxiety is a collection of prose and poetry that captures Winter’s journey as he begins to notice the world around him start to shatter.
A standout moment is when Winter’s friend, Chalkie, is brutally murdered, sending Winter into dark places in his mind that he has trouble escaping from.
Through his writing, Winter offers encouragement and inspiration to those who also experience anxiety and panic.
The book is both insightful and engaging, offering a unique perspective on living with anxiety.
Each of these books offers a unique and humorous perspective on mental health, making them engaging reads for the Gen Z demographic.
They use humor as a coping mechanism, reflecting Gen Z’s approach to dealing with serious topics.
So, why wait? Dive into these books and explore the humorous side of mental health!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out each book for more details.
