This Powell Community Collections Spotlight showcases a diverse set of library, campus, and other resources available to members of the UCLA community regarding mental health. The Collection explores mental health issues and topics by highlighting different voices, stories, and mediums.
This collection contains content and materials that may be triggering.
The Powell Library Community Collections are designed to support and promote student intellectual growth, health and well-being, and creativity. Reflecting the diversity of the student population, the collections aim to foster curiosity about the world and empathy for others, while nurturing lifelong reading habits.
The print books featured in Spotlight are accessible via the UCLA Library’s Page & Pickup service. While print collections remain closed to browsing, UCLA students, faculty, and staff may reserve study space at the Research Library or Biomedical Library buildings.
Stories of Mental Illness
Explore stories that highlight different experiences with mental health and mental illness. CW: these stories deal with content related to mental illness and engage with topics of depression, anxiety, abuse, addiction, racism, homophobia, self-harm/suicide, and death.
From UCLA Library print collections
- Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (fiction)
- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (fiction)
- Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee (fiction)
- My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness by Nagata Kabi (graphic novel)
- Bitter Medicine: a Graphic Memoir of Mental Illness by Clem Martini and Olivier Martini (graphic novel)
- Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh (graphic novel)
From UCLA Library online collections
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (fiction)
- The Best We Could Do: an Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui (graphic novel)
Explore Unique Voices with Zines
Dive into stories exploring themes of mental health from diverse creators and storytellers expressed through zines.
From UCLA Library print collections
- Tranquila Zine: a D.I.Y Zine on How to Deal with Your Anxiety, from the Perspective of Everyday Brown, Chicanx, Indigenous, Latinx, Chicxs!compiled by Alma Rosa
- FAT-TASTIC: a Compilation Zine About Loving Your Body by Sage Adderley
- The Strange is Beautiful: Alternative Self-help Guide by Shannen Roberts.
- Blush, Blossom, Bloom : a Zine About BPD, Imprinting, and Mad Queer Love by Kayla Rosen
- Disabled Artist Affirmations by Kayla Rosen
Further Exploration
Get Lost in a Book
Reading is a great way to unwind, disconnect, and destress. Check out some Science Fiction, Fiction, and Fantasy stories that will allow you to escape to another time and place.
From UCLA Library print collections
- This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
- The Power by Naomi Alderman
- Witchmark by C.L. Polk
- All Systems Red by Martha Wells
- The Encyclopedia Of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg
From UCLA Library online collections
- The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
- The Changeling by Victor LaValle
- Boat by Nam Le, adaptation by Matt Huynh
Healthy Meals for a Healthy Mind
Healthy and yummy food is a great way to boost both your mental and physical health! These cookbooks have recipes for a variety of budgets, skill levels, and diets and they are all available through the UCLA Library. Bon Appetit!
From UCLA Library print collections
- Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health by Gene Stone
- The Eat Your Way Healthy at Trader Joe's Cookbook by Bonnie Matthews
- Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables by Joshua McFadden with Martha Holmberg
- The Fresh 20: 20-Ingredient Meal Plans for Health and Happiness 5 Nights a Week by Melissa Lanz
From UCLA Library online collections
- The Taco Tuesday Cookbook : 52 Tasty Taco Recipes to Make Every Week the Best Ever by Laura Fuentes
- Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook by Dana Angelo White
- Quick Diabetic Recipes by American Diabetes Association
- Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals by United States Department of Agriculture
Navigating Your Career Journey
Discover titles on career development with tips and guidance to help you through the processes of preparing, entering, and navigating the professional world!
From UCLA Library print collections
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
- Here's the Plan: Your Practical, Tactical Guide to Advancing Your Career During Pregnancy and Parenting by Allyson Downey
- The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, Rhonda Joy McLean
From UCLA Library online collections
Mental Health Resources
There are a wide range of resources and services available to members of the UCLA community. Whether you are are in need of immediate support, are looking for tips to manage stress, or simply want to bring in some extra joy, these resources are a great place to start!
Programs and Services at UCLA
- CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services): student mental health center offering counseling and therapy
- RISE Center: holistic wellness center offering a wide variety of programs, live events, and resources
- Recreation Center: offers fitness and hobby programs free for students
- Basic Needs Services: UCLA has a range of programs available to support students in meeting basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation
- Mental Health Care Package: this free downloadable packet has tips and strategies for students managing mental health during COVID-19 and issues of racial injustice
Crisis Resources: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please utilize the resources below
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24 hours): (800) 273-TALK (8255) or chat online
- Crisis Text Line (24 hours): Text 741-741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.
- UCLA Crisis Resource Page
Organizations in greater Los Angeles with Mental Health Services
The Community Collections are housed in the Main Reading Room of the Powell Library. Print and online titles are selected by library staff through recommendations and requests from the UCLA community.
This collection spotlight was created by Dana Laderer and Kate Pham in support of the Powell Library Community Collections team and rotates to a new theme quarterly. The spotlights are intended to showcase titles at the UCLA Library and engage our user community. Please contact us with questions, remarks, or collection suggestions at powellcollections@library.ucla.edu!
Credits:
Created with images by AJEL - "face work of art image" • Oldmermaid - "pasta fettuccine fresh pasta" • wal_172619 - "office building window" • kgohsend - "ucla royce hall westwood"