23 Meaningful Mental Health Gifts to Help a Loved One Who Is Struggling
These thoughtful mental health gifts can help you provide support for a loved one when they need it most.
When someone in your family or circle of friends is struggling, it can be difficult to think of the right way to show them you care. You may not want to give them a gift that says, “hey, I know you're depressed,” because, well, that's depressing. But something soothing for their home or bath, or a mindfulness workbook, or a shirt that addresses mental health through humor, could be exactly what they need to help them get through a tough time. (And if “them” is you, shopping for mental health gifts for yourself, you're awesome too! Self-care is not selfish.)
We've compiled this diverse list of items that provide comfort, motivation, and self-care. We're sure you'll find a heartfelt way to let your loved one know they’re not alone in their journey.
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Mental Health Gifts for Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation can be tremendously helpful for processing anxiety and trauma, but getting started and learning to focus can be challenging for many people. These mental health gifts can help your loved one begin or grow in their mindfulness journey.
Tone Therapy Speakers
Binaural sound can be a powerful mindfulness aid. These speakers make it easy to incorporate mindfulness into even a very busy day.
n.o.w. Tone Therapy––It's Yoga for Your Mind. A Sound Bath for Your Body. Designed to Play for, and be Effective...
- TONE THERAPY IS comforting––it helps you quickly adapt to challenges then act from love and thrive. In just 3 minutes you’ll reconnect to inner peace, recover hope and be moved to take loving action. n.o.w. Tone Therapy does not conform to expectations of what an electronic device should be. All features, including its INTENTIONAL 3 MINUTE PLAY TIME, were created to quickly help you be present, reduce anxiety, and act from love so you'll thrive now, today and everyday.
Morphee Meditation and Sleep Device
There are a million meditation apps and some of them are excellent — but they all keep you tied to your phone and could be interrupted by a text or call. If you really want to unplug, the Morphee is totally offline and includes a wide variety of built-in meditation and wind-down sessions. If your loved one struggles with insomnia, minimizing screen time at bedtime is important, and this handy sleep device could made a tremendous difference.
Breathing Buddha Meditation Helper
The Breathing Buddha uses color to help the user practice the 4/7/8 mindfulness breathing technique. It promotes relaxation and sleep and is an affordable mental health gift for adults and older children.
Mindsight ‘Breathing Buddha’ for Guided Visual Meditation | Simple Mindfulness Tool (Adults & Kids) to Slow Your Breathing (4-7-8) |...
- WHAT IT'S FOR: Daily guided breathing to help calm & focus your mind during the day or promote a peaceful night sleep, improving overall wellness. Continued practice can help manage or reduce stress & anxiety in all ages and can help improve symptoms of depression. A simple & fun meditation tool that can also cultivate mindfulness to help you live in the present moment.
Free shipping
Mindfulness Cards
These therapist-endorsed cards teach mindfulness skills your family member or friend can use in their everyday life.
52 Stress Less & Self Care Cards - Mindfulness & Meditation Exercises - Anxiety Relief & Relaxation
- 52 EASY EXERCISES FOR EVERYONE: This unique Self Care Deck contains 52 extremely effective exercises for mindfulness, meditation, anxiety relief, stress management, self care, relaxation & more. These powerful exercises can be quickly memorized and used at work, office, school, commute, counseling, yoga, at your desk & even before going to sleep. These cards were developed by a team of therapists, counselors and yogi professionals to teach you how to stop your stress reaction and relax.
Metaphoric Associative Cards
Metaphorical association cards are not the same as tarot cards. They don't purport to predict the future or make decisions for the person reading them. Instead, they present evocative images that are open to interpretation and encourage self-exploration. They can be used alone or to spark meaningful conversations with a partner or friend. You can see more card packs at Brain Ukraine.
Metaphoric associative cards, The Universe Allusion, psychology gift, for her, therapy, coaching cards, contemplation, christmas gift
Affirmation Cards
I must admit I'm not too keen on affirmations in general. They can come across as cloying or as toxic positivity — but these affirmation cards are the exception. They're honest, funny, and genuinely hopeful, and make an excellent mental health gift for somebody who likes to keep things positive and real.
Affirmators! Deluxe Deck: 100 Affirmation Cards Deck - Affirmation Cards to Help You Help Yourself Without The Self-Helpy-Ness
- Affirmators! Deluxe is Knock Knock and Suzi Barrett's version of a greatest hits album: 100 of your favorite Affirmators! affirmation cards, curated into one convenient, collectable box (and dare we say beautiful?)!
Mindfulness Stickers
These textured stickers provide tactile feedback to assist with mindful breathing and relaxation wherever your loved one goes.
4 pc Rainbow Breathing Stickers Calm Sensory Tool Texture Self-Care Adhesive Thick Rough Calming Fidget Anxiety Relief Finger Tracing Stress
Mental Health Gifts for Skin, Body, and Wellness
Depression and anxiety can cause or exacerbate muscle stiffness, pain, fatigue, headaches, and other physical ailments, especially for people with a co-occuring chronic illness or physical disability. The mind-body connection is profound, and items that help your relative or friend to care for their body can be ideal mental health gifts.
Bath Bombs or Shower Steamers
Taking a relaxing hot bath or shower can calm anxiety and panic attacks and reduce stress.
Bath Bomb Spa Gift Set of 12, Natural Botanical Bath Bombs, Bath Gift Set, Aromatherapy Spa Bath Bombs, Stocking Stuffer,...
Aromatherapy Shower Steamer Natural Bath Bombs - Home Spa Zen Bath Shower Gift Set of 6 - Botanical Spa Stress...
Spa Gift Set
These gift boxes allow your loved one to create their own spa experience at home. Lavender is a particularly soothing herb or essential oil that promotes relaxation and sleep.
Organic Spa Gift Set, Organic Lavender Essential oil and Herbs infused Healing Collection, Gift for her, Relaxing Spa Set
Mental Health, Care Package for Her, Care Package Friend, Self Care Box, Stress Relief Gift Box, Thinking of You Care...
Massage Bar
Massage bars made with lotion and herbs are useful for moisturizing dry skin and working the knots out of muscles after a stressful day.
Serenity Massage Bar
Foot Spa and Epsom Salts
If your loved one doesn't have a bathtub or can't get in and out of a tub easily due to their age or disability, this surprisingly affordable foot bath paired with a bag of Epsom salts can enable them to soothe their tired and painful feet.
HoMedics Bubble Mate Foot Spa, Toe Touch Controlled Foot Bath with Invigorating Bubbles and Splash Proof, Raised Massage nodes and...
- REJUVENATES OVERWORKED FEET: Treat your feet after a long day of work with this Bubble Mate Foot Spa. The massage water jets and raised nodes work to revive your feet by gently massaging and soothing your tired, overworked feet.Special feature : Heat. Specific uses for product : Neuropathy.
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Dr Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Soothe & Sleep, Lavender, 3lbs
- Resealable Bag: Our bags feature a new enclosure to make resealing your Epsom salts easier, quicker and sturdier than ever
- Made with Pure Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate USP) and natural essential oils, Dr Teal’s Epsom Salt Soaks provide an array of benefits
Mental Health Gifts for Awareness and Fighting Stigma
Many people with mental illness find strength and healing in becoming an advocate. If your family member or friend is on this path, they'll enjoy these mental health gifts that fight stigma and promote awareness and understanding.
Mental Health Sweatshirt
Be Kind To Your Mind Mental Health Awareness Sweatshirt or Hoodie
Funny Mental Health Sweatshirt, Anxiety Hoodie, Depression Shirt, Mental health Matters Tee, Inspirational Shirts, Motivational Tee,U576
Mental Health T-Shirt
Too Much Panic Not Enough Disco Funny Shirt
Anxiety is High Today Mental Health PSA Shirt Short-Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt
Mental Health Stickers
I Don’t Have Enough Serotonin Sticker - Water Resistant - Personalized Gifts - Stickers for Hydroflask - Stickers Laptop -...
Mental health awareness stickers pack, Mystery sticker pack, Water bottle stickers, tumbler stickers, waterproof stickers, planner stickers
Mental Health Stickers 3-Pack - Normalize Therapy, End the Stigma, Mental Health Matters (Vinyl)
Mental Health Gifts for the Home
These mental health gifts will make your loved one's home more relaxing and comfortable so they can better manage anxiety, depression, and other difficult symptoms.
Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets have become popular for a reason — they work! I find mine to be extremely useful for calming panic attacks and the sensory overload I experience as a neurodivergent person. They're also on the more expensive side, so if you have a family member or friend who can't work or work much due to mental illness, a weighted blanket could be an especially meaningful gift.
Weighted Blanket Adult, Sakura, Cherry Blossom, 21st Birthday Gift, Weighted Lap Pad, Fibromyalgia Relief, Weighted Blanket
Himalayan Salt Lamp
Himalayan salt lamps are one of those items you see in every shopping guide and are perhaps a bit cliche. However, this lamp stands out from the rest as it includes removable massage balls your gift recipient can rub on their skin to relieve those miserable anxiety-induced muscle cramps. If you use an incandescent bulb in the salt lamp, it'll heat them up, too!
Spantik Himalayan Fire Bowl Salt Lamp with 6 Massage Balls Premium Quality Authentic from Pakistan
- HIMALAYAN FIREBOWL WITH SALT CRYSTAL BALLS: Spantik's Himalayan firebowl Salt Lamp with salt crystal balls is handmade & hand carved from salt crystals of Himalayan mountains in Pakistan, known as the best place of SALT craftsmanship. You can change the color of the bulb to give a different hue to the lighting area.
Bean Bag Chair
It'll be like embracing your loved one with a warm hug every time they sink into this bean bag chair.
Chill Sack Bean Bag Chair: Giant 5' Memory Foam Furniture Bean Bag - Big Sofa with Soft Micro Fiber Cover...
- FUN FOR EVERYONE: A great size for both kids and adults, this comfy bean bag is the perfect furniture addition to any basement, family room, dorm, or bedroom whether as a gaming chair or a study spot
- OVERSIZED LOUNGER: 60 x 60 x 34 inches - Collapse into a seat that loves you back and forms to fit your body; with space for two, you can cuddle close, share with a friend, or spread out to really relax
Body Pillow
Your loved one doesn't have to be pregnant to enjoy sleeping with this soft body pillow to soothe their physical and emotional aches and pains.
Books and Workbooks That Make Great Mental Health Gifts
If your loved one is on a healing journey of introspection, these mental health gifts can help them journal, process, and grow.
Body Positivity Book
“The Body Is Not an Apology” is a revolutionary book for women and others who have been taught by society to hate their bodies. If your loved one is healing from an eating disorder or abusive relationship, the book and related workbook could be transformative.
The Body Is Not an Apology, Second Edition: The Power of Radical Self-Love
Your Body Is Not an Apology Workbook: Tools for Living Radical Self-Love
Radical Self-Care Book
This book gets to the heart of what self-care is truly about, and it's not bubble baths and fuzzy socks.
Radical Self-Care - Inclusive Tools for Overcoming PTSD, Heartbreak, Conflict, Anger, Discrimination, Addiction, and Anxiety - signed book
Journal for Creatives
If your loved one uses art to process their mental health struggles, they'll love this journal that encourages them to wreck it as a form of self-expression.
Wreck This Journal: Now in Color
- Penguin Wreck This Journal Now In Color Book
- Penguin Wreck This Journal Now In Color Book- A spectacular coloring and painting edition of The Wreck This Journal series.
- Muster up your best mistake- and mess-making abilities to fill the pages of the book, or destroy them.
Free shipping
Guided Journal for Overthinkers
I'm an overthinker and most meditation and mindfulness activities don't work well for me. If your friend or relative is similar, this guided journal may be just what they need too!
The Over-thinker's Journal. Mental Health Gift. Wellness Journal. Wellbeing Journal. Anxiety Depression Relief. Daily Thoughts Journal Diary
Irreverent Guided Journal
As I said, I'm also not big on cheesy affirmations, and if your loved one tells it like it is or has a snarky sense of humor, they'll appreciate this guided journal as an alternative to the usual motivational fare.
Inner F*cking Peace Journal: Transcend Your Bullshit and Be Happy
- Cut loose that little trail of bullshit following you around shoulding all over you.|Grab this irreverent journal and follow its madcap prompts all the way to enlightenment or something like that.|It's funny! It's brazen! It's a creative mandate to knock yourself upside the head and recognize the power you've had all along.|Premium smooth-finish 120 gsm paper takes pen or pencil.|Paper is acid-free and of archival quality.|Full color interior.|Tuck notes mementos and more in the inside back cover pocket.|The matching elastic closure keeps it all together.|Journal measures a compact 5'' wide x 7'' high -- fits easily in most bags and backpacks.|Sturdy hardcover binding.|144 pages.|Mature content.
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Didn't find what you need on this list? Try our guide to self-care boxes.
Do you have recommendations for mental health gifts?
Please share them in the comments.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Ability Toolbox. I received my BA in English from Stanford University and MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, and have worked in entertainment and health media for over 20 years. I also blog about traveling with a disability. As a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, I am deeply committed to amplifying the voices of the disability community through writing and advocacy.
