Reading Well for teens supports the mental health and wellbeing of teenagers, providing helpful information, advice and support to help them better understand their feelings, handle difficult experiences and boost confidence. The list has been developed as an update to the 2016  Reading Well for Young People (“Shelf Help”) list and is focused on supporting teens’ mental health and wellbeing in a post-pandemic context.

The booklist is targeted at teenagers (13-18) and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement. Some of the recommended books suggest useful self-help techniques; there are also personal stories, graphic formats,
and fiction. Alongside the books are a selection of quality assured age appropriate digital resources. The books have been chosen by young people, leading health professionals and library staff.

Our book selection panel included colleagues from Royal College of GPs, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Nursing, British Psychological Society, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, NHS England, Mind, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and the School Library Association.

Reading Well for teens is supported by:
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, British Dyslexia Association, Centre for Mental Health, Children in Wales, Healthworks UK, Mental Health First Aid England, Mental Health Foundation, Mind, National Association of Primary Care, National Youth Agency, NHS England (Children and Young People’s Mental Health), Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Young Minds.