The School of Life: On Mental Illness

We accept without shame that most organs in our bodies might at some point develop problems and could need a bit of help. We should not make an exception of our minds. Our lives are so complicated and so filled with burdens, we should be completely unsurprised if, at some point, we felt a need to pull up a white flag and ask for help with our minds.





This is a guide to how to cope with a variety of forms of mental pain and unwellness, from the very mild to the more severe. It explains to us how and why we might become ill, how we can explain things to friends and family, how we should take care of ourselves and how we might adjust our view of ourselves and our future so as to live wisely alongside our difficulties.





Throughout the tone is humane, encouraging and rich with experience. A central idea is that there is no need for any of us to suffer alone with our condition and that the best way to mend is to reduce shame, accept our troubles as very normal and seek out understanding and friendship. It s by exploring and discussing what has happened to us that we can heal and reduce our sense of isolation.





Written with kindness, knowledge and sympathy, and drawing upon the experience and knowledge of The School of Life therapists, this book is an essential tool to help us on the way to our recovery.

“" The School of Life: On Mental Illness [is] a well-written [and] well-researched [book]. The book is well-structured with fine attention to detail which aids in well-being." - NetGalley review "I thought this was a very important book and I'm glad [The School of Life] exist[s]. It was well crafted and will be helpful for many people." - NetGalley review " The School of Life: On Mental Illness drew me in with its beautiful and calming cover art. ... I have a lot of people in my life who suffer from various unwellness and knowing more about coping strategies will help me to understand them better and help me to help them." - NetGalley review "This short but powerful and provocative read is truly life-changing if you take in the depths of its wisdom. I highly recommend this book that traverses the human mind in all of its glory and potential for mayhem." - NetGalley review " The School of Life: On Mental Illness is a thematic read on the power art can have on our sense of calm. The cover art alone is both simple and tranquil, which spills perfectly onto the pages. The School of Life: On Mental Illness explores the mind and how different artworks can have a deeper, calmer impact on your mental health." - NetGalley review "I found this to be a fascinating book and think it would be a good present on a very important topic." - NetGalley review "[A] quick, deep read on mental illness. The School of Life: On Mental Illness offers many insights aimed at exploring the nuances, challenges, and meaning of mental illness" - NetGalley review "[This book] was very well written and put together. Great starting place for someone who is struggling with or has a loved one struggling with a mental illness." - NetGalley review "As soon as I started reading, the book felt [like] a warm and reassuring conversation with a friend. [...] If you're new to the topic of and want to get a brief well-rounded understanding of mental health, or perhaps are struggling and need some gentle reminders, or just want to feel less alone in how you are feeling, then this book sets out to achieve just exactly that. [...] [T]his is a fantastic consolidation of why some people struggle with mental health and how we can achieve mental well-being. The School of Life: On Mental Illness is like a conversation with a friend; [...] it truly felt like a hug in a book." - NetGalley review "[The] chapters are brilliantly written and thought-provoking. I have enjoyed reading the book ... and would recommend reading this to persons experiencing, or those seeking to understand mental illness in the modern age." - NetGalley review”

"The School of Life: On Mental Illness [is] a well-written [and] well-researched [book]. The book is well-structured with fine attention to detail which aids in well-being." - NetGalley review

"I thought this was a very important book and I'm glad [The School of Life] exist[s]. It was well crafted and will be helpful for many people." - NetGalley review

"The School of Life: On Mental Illness drew me in with its beautiful and calming cover art. ... I have a lot of people in my life who suffer from various unwellness and knowing more about coping strategies will help me to understand them better and help me to help them." - NetGalley review

"This short but powerful and provocative read is truly life-changing if you take in the depths of its wisdom. I highly recommend this book that traverses the human mind in all of its glory and potential for mayhem." - NetGalley review

"The School of Life: On Mental Illness is a thematic read on the power art can have on our sense of calm. The cover art alone is both simple and tranquil, which spills perfectly onto the pages. The School of Life: On Mental Illness explores the mind and how different artworks can have a deeper, calmer impact on your mental health." - NetGalley review

"I found this to be a fascinating book and think it would be a good present on a very important topic." - NetGalley review

"[A] quick, deep read on mental illness. The School of Life: On Mental Illness offers many insights aimed at exploring the nuances, challenges, and meaning of mental illness" - NetGalley review

"[This book] was very well written and put together. Great starting place for someone who is struggling with or has a loved one struggling with a mental illness." - NetGalley review

"As soon as I started reading, the book felt [like] a warm and reassuring conversation with a friend. [...] If you're new to the topic of and want to get a brief well-rounded understanding of mental health, or perhaps are struggling and need some gentle reminders, or just want to feel less alone in how you are feeling, then this book sets out to achieve just exactly that. [...] [T]his is a fantastic consolidation of why some people struggle with mental health and how we can achieve mental well-being. The School of Life: On Mental Illness is like a conversation with a friend; [...] it truly felt like a hug in a book." - NetGalley review

"[The] chapters are brilliantly written and thought-provoking. I have enjoyed reading the book ... and would recommend reading this to persons experiencing, or those seeking to understand mental illness in the modern age." - NetGalley review

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment.



The School of Life is a resource for exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socialising, finding calm and enjoying culture through content, community and conversation. You can find us online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the world offering classes, events and one-to-one therapy sessions. The School of Life is a rapidly growing global brand, with over 6.8 million YouTube subscribers, 389,000 Facebook followers, 239,000 Instagram followers and 163,000 Twitter followers.



The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton.

We accept without shame that most organs in our bodies might at some point develop problems - and could need a bit of help. We should not make an exception of our minds. Our lives are so complicated and so filled with burdens, we should be completely unsurprised if, at some point, we felt a need to pull up a white flag and ask for help with our minds.This is a guide to how to cope with a variety of forms of mental pain and unwellness, from the very mild to the more severe. It explains to us how and why we might become ill, how we can explain things to friends and family, how we should take care of ourselves - and how we might adjust our view of ourselves and our future so as to live wisely alongside our difficulties.Throughout the tone is humane, encouraging and rich with experience. A central idea is that there is no need for any of us to suffer alone with our condition and that the best way to mend is to reduce shame, accept our troubles as very normal - and seek out understanding and friendship. It's by exploring and discussing what has happened to us that we can heal and reduce our sense of isolation.Written with kindness, knowledge and sympathy, and drawing upon the experience and knowledge of The School of Life therapists, this book is an essential tool to help us on the way to our recovery.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.