‘Tis the season to be very… thoughtful that is. This Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa season, what are some fabulous gifts for those who are coping with mental illness? I’ve got you covered.
Video games are supposed to be good for your mental health, as I’ve reported. And the brand-new Playstation 5 is the hot-ticket item this year. But alas, it’s sold out everywhere or going for exorbitant sums of money on eBay. My advice: pick up a Nintendo Switch instead. The games are cheerful, fun, and not as violent.
There are so many predictable presents you could give. Essential oils, bath salts, personalized yoga mats and other self-care or mindfulness items. But we who struggle with mental illness may have quite discerning taste, and the gifts I picked are truly unique and cater to that taste.
Carrie Fisher Princess Leia Devotional Candle
Saint Leia Prayer Candle — $18.99
Our patron saint of bipolar, Carrie Fisher — god rest her soul —appears on this spiritual candle you can find for pretty cheap on Etsy. May the Force Be with You.
You Are Beautiful Keepsakes
Today Is A New Day sculpture — $20
The You Are Beautiful campaign started out as a slogan and sticker crusade. Now, the titular stickers have been posted on all continents in the world, including Antarctica. The Chicago-based inspirational items creator has been spreading its word since 2002 and it’s a wonderful organization to support.
“You Are Beautiful is more than a little sticker, it’s an idea,” the movement’s website says. “It’s a way to brighten someone’s day, a way to pat a stranger on the back, a way to remind ourselves that even when things aren’t going great, it’s ok.”
Mini sculptures with messages like “One Day at a Time” and “Today is a New Day” are perfect for accessorizing your loved one’s desk with inspirational messages or even just to decorate their bookshelf.
Look Like Selena Gomez
Lip and Cheek 4 Piece Mini Set — $28
As someone who has struggled with mental health, singer/actress Selena Gomez is now reaching out to our community through her new charity cosmetic line.
One percent of the proceeds from Rare Beauty sales go to The Rare Impact Fund, which has a goal of raising $100 million over the next 10 years for mental health.
“The Rare Impact Fund will help support the local, national, and global organizations that have a direct impact on the well-being of Rare Beauty’s community, with a focus on underserved communities,” her mission statement says.
You could shop the miles of aisles at Sephora, but you may as well support Selena’s significant cause. Your friends, loved ones, or yourself could use some luscious lips.
Edgar Allen Poe — Collective Works
Poe Leather-bound Classic Book — $13.98
Our bipolar poet laureate Edgar Allen Poe was the epitome of the tortured artist and one of the most famous people in our ranks.
This leather-bound compilation of poems and stories is great for the dark-obsessed John-Q-Public on your list.
Here’s a sampling from Poe’s notorious poem – “The Raven,” which appears in the book.
Once upon the midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
You can’t go wrong with Poe.
Surrealism and Mysticism
Salvador Dalí Tarot Card Set — $60
It’s unclear what kind of mental illness the eccentric Spanish painter and surrealist Dalí may have had, but he was known to have psychotic breaks.
Rumor has it, the producer of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die commissioned the artist to create tarot cards for the film.
And while we’re on the subject of visual art, you can also score this slick book of bipolar painter famous for “The Scream” Edvard Munch’s work from Taschen for $15.
Rainbow Scrub-a-dub-dub
Rainbow Bath Bomb Set — $19.95
Who says bathtime can’t be fun when you’re an adult? The rainbow bath bomb from Koktiana oozes streaks of primary colors when submerged in the tub. They emanate from a cloud of soap. This is the ultimate self-care gift.
For the Kiddos
A Kid’s Book About Depression — $19.95
Tackling tough topics is a doozy when it comes to children. The complexities of depression and anxiety are something many kids don’t understand because they are oftentimes not old enough to carry any of the symptoms that go with these afflictions.
Enter the “A Kid’s Book” series. Crucial conversations abound in these books, which feature such subjects as “A Kid’s Book About Racism,” and “A Kid’s Book About COVID-19,” The books also take a dive into death, empathy, feminism, bullying, disabilities, autism, addiction, suicide, as well as the aforementioned anxiety, and depression, plus a host of others.
“We create books that talk to kids — not down to them. Our books are honest and don’t shy away from the most difficult aspects of each topic,” the publisher’s website says. “This commitment is why our kids’ books are longer than most and are designed to emphasize the words and never distract from the message.”
Give the gift of education and understanding this year. Your kids deserve the truth on these important topics.
