TRIGGER WARNING!
This website contains poetry and true stories about trauma, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harming, depression and other significant mental health issues, as well as personal stories of emotional neglect and abuse, which some people might find upsetting.
CLOSING DOWN
PLEASE NOTE: Sadly Poetry for Mental Health will be closing down at the end of 2026. I have tried running it voluntarily for the past six years, but with rising costs and the amount of hours it now takes running the site and publishing its books, it is no longer possible to continue without any funding. However, although this website will be closing down, I will try to keep posting and showcasing poetry for mental health on the Facebook page for as long as I can.
I sincerely wish everyone the very best; stay well, stay strong, stay positive, and keep writing ... poetry!!
Robin
Poetry for Mental Health
Supporting people around the world through words and poetry ...
Poetry for Mental Health has supported thousands of people through words and poetry! No matter what your age, background and experience, culture, nationality, or identity; whether an established writer with many published titles to your credit, or an aspiring poet who has never written a word of poetry in your life, our philosophy here is to embrace, welcome and support everyone, everywhere, and help you cope through words and poetry.
ROBIN BARRATT - Founder POETRY FOR MENTAL HEALTH
"I formed
Poetry for Mental Health at the outbreak of COVID, as a way of helping people cope mentally through lockdown and the pandemic by inspiring them to write poetry. Six years, nine books, and many thousands of pieces of poetry later,
Poetry for Mental Health
is still inspiring people to write poetry for positive mental health, and
it
is now probably the largest and most visited website of its kind on the net!"
Today's Featured Poetry
15th November, 2026
THE MOON'S PROMISE
By Thy-Justice Amaranth Lumen
As I sat alone in that dark room
The shadows quickly began to loom
Then I knew
It was happening soon
and when I looked out of the window
All I could see was the moon
It lit up the entire sky
It shone so bright
It made me cry
For the moon was never shy
And never would it pass me by
It filled the room with light
But the shadows put up a fight
So the moonlight would hold me tight
Despite the darkness filling me with fear
Now the moonlight filled the atmosphere
And I knew as long as it was near
That I wouldn’t disappear
The shadows may try to steal my soul
But they couldn't keep me in their hold
The night may be cold
But there's a story it told
And when sunrise comes
It would all unfold
The sky would turn from grey to blue
And the grass would be covered in morning dew
And from that moment
I knew
That the moon’s promise was true
When it said
I'll always be here for you
And although the moon was gone
It left me with the sun
For a new day had begun
But I knew that the moon
Was the one
And though the sun has finally risen
Its light was so freely given
And it showed me that I was forgiven
And that my life
was worth living
Our Books
STOCK CLEARANCE - UK ONLY
As the website is closing down at the end of 2026, we have a limited number of books now available at a discounted price of just £5.49 each + £3.60 p&p ( 1st Class UK, large letter). Click on the link below for further details. UK customers only:
Featured Poets
Featuring poets from around the world, with up to six pieces of their work, and a little about the author and the stories behind their work.
And lots more ...
Personal Journeys
In their own words, writers and poets write about their own personal journey with mental health.
Interviews
Ten amazing writers and poets talking about their own personal journey with mental health.
Featured Books
Promoting poetry books and publications.
And lots more ...
Other ...
Directory of Support Services
Charities, groups and organisations worldwide offering mental health help and support to people in crisis.
Mental Health First Aid
Identifying warning signs of common mental health crisis, and how to guide a person towards safety and appropriate help.
Publishing Services
We publish books for other people too!!!
Would you like to see your poetry collection published as a paperback and Kindle, and available for other people to read around the world? Prices start from just £150.00 for a chapbook / short poetry collection. Click on the link for more info. Plus Promoting Your Book- information and advice for promoting and marketing your book. We have published over 100 books for other people. Just a few examples below:
We have published over 100 books for other people. Just a few examples below:
NOTE ON CONTRIBUTIONS: We publish mental health poetry from around the world, and for a number contributors to this website, English is not their first language. Unlike some other platforms, we don't heavily edit a poet's own work (if we did, it would then not be their own work!), so please focus on a poet's messages and meanings, and not necessarily on any grammatical mistakes or translated imperfections that may arise within their contribution.