A Glimpse Inside: Mental Health in Film (With Recommendations!)
By Lucia Ene-Lesikar and Araceli Lopes
Accurate mental health portrayal is not something that Hollywood, or the film industry in general, seems to have gotten right. Often, particularly in horror, characters who are suffering with mental health problems are often portrayed as ‘cursed’ or ‘crazy’, this portrayal often leads to a lot of stigma around mental health conditions. For many, our only perception of a number of conditions is through the media, and so these images become the lens in which we view mental health. These are often really problematic and the perpetuation of stigmas, there does seem to be some progress being made, and a greater awareness of the realities of mental health conditions can surely only be a good thing.
Photo by Kyle Cleveland on Unsplash
ARTICLES/BLOGS/WEBSITES
If you want to explore some criticism around the portrayals of mental health in film, these articles are a great place to start. Though most of them cite that mental health portrayal has been poor in the past, it does seem to be looking up.
Mental Illness in Film: Are Mental Health Portrayals in Film Improving?
https://www.verdict.co.uk/mental-illness-films/
Unsane: How Film’s Portrayal of Mental Illness is (Slowly) Improving
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/mar/23/unsane-a-history-of-mental-illness-in-film
How Mental Health is Portrayed in the Media
https://www.psychreg.org/how-mental-health-is-portrayed-in-the-media/
How Cinema Stigmatises Mental Illness
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180828-how-cinema-stigmatises-mental-illness
FILMS
Let’s be honest, this is what you’re here for. We’ve collated a short list of some of the films we think portray mental illness in a better way than has been in the past. They are by no means perfect, they're a start.
Joker (2019)
If you haven’t heard about this one, you must be living under a rock. Critically acclaimed, the film portrays The Joker’s relationship with and impact of his mental health and how this culminates in destructive behaviours.
It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
A film all about a teenager with clinical depression who checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A film that explores the inner life of John Dash, a brilliant, asocial mathematician.
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
A film based on writer Susanna Kaysen’s account of her 18-month stay at a mental hospital in the late 1960s.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
The story of a teenage boy with depression, trying to find his place in the world and reconcile the past.
SHORT FILMS
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something shorter or made by independent filmmakers, check out these short films on youtube. Some of these films might be triggering, so watch at your own discretion.
BE (2020) - https://youtu.be/3V9b1ZquLq4
This is a film about a young black man’s struggle with depression and anxiety.
Lifelines (2020) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzY3gGOdf5c
The story of two best friends, who’s friendship threatens to rupture after the discovery of self-harm.
The Signs (2017) - https://youtu.be/8iefKp6jAH4
A story of a girl with depression, and the events leading up to her attempted suicide.
ReMoved (2014) - https://youtu.be/lOeQUwdAjE0
The story about the inner life of a girl in the foster care system.
Battle Scars (2015) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t8Lf_hcuJk
Follows a teenage girl and her experiences with bullying and cyberbullying.
It's Alright I'm Here (2020) - https://youtu.be/OB26VQYWPfE
A short film which portrays a young man going through a depressive episode.
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
Finally, here are a couple of youtube channels which are great if you’re interested in film
SBSK: two good friends, a licensed therapist and a movie director, sit down to analyse movies and the meanings hidden behind the movies they review.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4E98HDsPXrf5kTKIgrSmtQ
Cinema Therapy: a previous special education teacher, interviews people that have been diagnosed with all sorts of physical impairments as well as mental health conditions. It's quite inspiring.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCYX4s1DCn51Hpf1peHS30Q
RESOURCES
If you need further help you can contact the following resources below.
Papyrus
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255