Recently, I started looking for mental health-improving gifts. And while you can get something generic as a gift for mental health (like the popular weighted blanket) I want to point out some gifts really targeted at mental health, mental illness or chronic illness. Read on to learn about gifts for those with mental illness, their loved ones or those who just care about mental health (in other words, these are gifts for everyone).

Gifts for Mental Health, Mental Illness or Chronic Illness

FYI: I’m not making any money from any of these mental illness-related gift suggestions (except for my own book, obviously).

Check out these seven mental health/mental illness gift ideas:

Mental health-related gifts, mental illness-related gifts are great for those with mental illness or their loved ones. These gifts will be cherished for years.
  1. A Blurt BuddyBox — This is one of my favorites. They call it a “hug in a box” and that might just be accurate. It’s basically a feel-good, mental health-improving gift box that is unique each month. You can by someone you love (including yourself) a subscription or a one-time box. Blurt is a social enterprise (a non-profit) that is dedicated to increasing depression awareness. The only downside is that Blurt is in the UK so shipping to North America is pricey. That said, it’s still worth a look, and if you’re in the UK — lucky you! Learn about Blurt’s BuddyBoxes here.
  2. Support a mental health charity by buying their merchandise — There are actually fewer mental health charities with merchandise on sale online than you might think. That said, I have found a few with t-shirts, mugs and other mental illness-related gifts for sale. In the United States, there is Mental Health America and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. But if you have a favorite mental health organization, check their website (and you might have to look hard) and see if they have a store so you can support them with your dollars and increase awareness with their merchandise. (To Write Love on Her Arms is also great, but they are a non-profit and not a charity, per se.)
  3. Support a person with mental illness running a business — Some people with mental illness have started an actual business and they could use your support too. The one that comes to mind is Schizophrenic.nyc. This business was started by Michelle Hammer and her clothing, pillboxes and art are all amazing. Or, if your loved one considers themselves a spoonie, check out the Spoonie Sister Shop — merchandise made by and for spoonies. Many will recognize her work as it gets passed around Instagram a lot.
  4. Support a mental health charity with a donation — I recently made a donation to an amazing mental health organization, the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, in the honor of a friend. I believe this is a great gift for her as she doesn’t need more “stuff” (her family tries to reduce their footprint) and this is a great opportunity for her to talk about a gift like this, and mental illness, with her two young daughters. Some charities even have what are known as “shopping lists” where you get to direct your donation to something in particular. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation has one of these. It’s really cool. You can to give a certain amount and know what it’s being used for, specifically. Some of their gifts are even matched by businesses. Give to the charity of your choice in the name of your loved one.
  5. A book by someone with a mental illness — Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my own book, Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar, in a list of mental health-related gifts. I truly believe anyone with depression or bipolar or anyone who loves someone with one of those mental illnesses can be helped by this book. That said, there are many other fine choices too. Any book by Julie A. Fast (who also has bipolar disorder) is a good choice, and, of course, there are many memoirs of people with mental illness out there (some are here) as well. This is another great choice if you’re trying to help with regard to a situation wherein a person with mental illness refuses help. (Pro tip: Consider buying an audiobook if one is available, as many with mental illness find reading difficult.)
  6. Support an independent artist at RedBubble — RedBubble is a marketplace for independent artists to sell all sorts of things on all sorts of topics. Check out the thousands of shirts, mugs, phone cases, stickers and everything else that’s mental illness-related. If you need a place to start, I love this shirt that says, “disability isn’t a bad word” and this spoonie shirt.
  7. Give of yourself — Often, what I really want from my loved ones is help. If someone gave me a book of “gift certificates” with their time on them, I would be thrilled. For example, certificates for things like this are great: one hour of cleaning, three hours of babysitting or manicures out. These can be relatively inexpensive, or even just cost your time, but believe me, they will be cherished.

I’m sure I’ve missed many find mental illness-related gifts, so help others by telling me your ideas in the comments below.

Oh, and Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, or Jolly the-holiday-of-your-choice. I hope you get and give some love this season.