Mental Health in TV & Movies
Alright alright, we know you’ve already got your shows, but if you’re anything like us, you know the good ones get watched up with the quickness, leaving us sorta-perpetually open for new recs that are just as visually-pleasing, or well-written, or at least as funny. As healers and mental health geeks, we also have a sweet spot for films that speak to the human condition and create a little awareness about what it’s like to live with lesser-considered mental health condition. You know, movies that teach us a thing or two, or help us feel a little more seen.
Luckily for you fellow mental health geeks (and those of you who are wellness nerd-curious), we’ve compiled a list of recommended TV shows & Movies for you to binge, all May long.
We will be updating this list as we discover more mental health goodness in media, so feel free to check back often, or to even let us know if there are any we should add, in the comments below (:
mental health in tv shows
(in no particular order)
01
Steven Universe Future
Genre: Cartoon
Topics: Chosen Family, Intergenerational trauma, Healthy coping strategies, Identity, Intimate-relationships, Self-perception, Resilience, Values
Where2Watch: Cartoon Network, Hulu, HBO Max
A now older-bigger Steven Universe has saved the world, yet is back to trying to figure out his identity after focusing so much on (literally) healing others and the relationships around him. A creatively adorable exploration of a half-alien-gem, half-human hero, figuring out the answer to the question “Who am I, and what do I want?”
If you have not seen it’s pre-curser, titled Steven Universe, we highly recommend you start from the beginning, because it’s one adorable and heartwarming emotional rollercoaster. It’s like degrassi, but for your lil baby inner child, because trust, IT GOES THERE. Plus, it’s great to watch with kiddos, since it is quite entertaining, and regularly offers ultra healthy coping mechanisms at the same damn time. 10/10 amazing.
02
its okay to not be okay
Genre: Romance
Topics: Acceptance, Intimate-relationships, Resilience, Supportive relationships, Trauma
Where2Watch: Netflix
A love story surrounded by emotional growth and transformation between a community health worker and a children’s book author who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The blossoming of a healthy relationship despite the wounds and judgement that society dishes out.
03
atypical (2017)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Topics:Autism, Family, Friendship, Identity, Intimate-Relationships, Resilience
Where2Watch: Netflix
Tossing you into the “shoes” of Sam, an 18 year old diagnosed with autism, you witness the mental breakdowns by him and his parents, the confusion, the social stigma, and difficulty that exists in trying to understand what love is, all while laughing at the comedic truths beneath it all.
04
Genera+ion (2021)
Genre: Drama
Topics: Depression, Grief, Identity, Relationships, Therapy
Where2Watch: HBO Max
Set in today’s contemporary world of social-media driven social interactions, this series follows the interwoven lives of a group of gen-X highschoolers growing up in a small conservative town, as they discuss and explore gender and sexuality, both with each other, and with support from their friends, and a new school guidance counselor.
05
Falcon and Winter Soldier (2021)
Genre: Action/Adventure
Topics: Grief, Identity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Therapy
Where2Watch: Disney+
An emotionally repressed Bucky (Winter Soldier) and emotionally drained Sam (Falcon) are adapting to life after Captain America America with some therapy and Avengers-level patriotism. Personal growth via fighting vigilante notbadbutnotgood villains while unpacking post-post-Thanossnap trauma.
06
This is us
Genre: Drama
Topics: Anxiety, Communication, Depression, Family, Marriage
Where2Watch: Hulu
A touching exploration of a family raising three triplets in the 80’s, that explores how their collective upbringing affects them in adulthood. We witness the family learning to cope with their father’s alcoholism & untimely death, one sibling copes with depression and body issues, one sibling deals with drug abuse and commitment issues, and the third sibling copes with generalized anxiety and panic disorder related to the pressures of being both intellectually gifted and a black man raised in an all-white family.
07
Black-ish, Mixed-ish
Genre: Comedy
Topics: Communication, Coping, Family, Identity, Marriage, Postpartum Depression, Race, Relationships
Where2Watch: Hulu
Both favorites in Kenya Barris’ ‘-ish’ series, each of these shows are mostly lighthearted, humorous sitcom-style shows that bring up current issues and tackles mental health in a way that the whole family can understand. Black-ish follows the Johnsons as they juggle school, work, inter-personal and sociopolitical issues they experience as an upper middle class African-American family.
Mixed-ish is an extension of Black-ish, which explores Mrs. Johnson’s childhood growing up as mixed-race in the 80s. When her parents move from a hippie commune to the suburbs, their young family struggles with debates over assimilation or staying true to themselves. Both shows touch on history and common issues that people of color experience when it comes to race and relationships.
08
WandaVision
Genre: Action, Drama
Topics: Family, Grief, Marriage, Trauma
Where2Watch: Disney+
A grieving superhero coping thru magic, in mindbendinglynotsohealthy ways, to the point where the FBI and higher powers try to get involved — and we know how that usually goes. Except this time, all parties involved had a major perspective-shift for the better. Especially as the fighting kept going. The show does start off feeling awkward, predictable, and leaves you with the thought “what the hell is really going on?” for a good minute. At the same time therein lies the true magic about it. It’s the capturing of how the mind can be in so much pain, and how people on the outside looking in tend to not fully comprehend all the baggage the both of you are carrying. In the end, the truth comes spilling out in marvelous ways.
09
Shameless
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Topics: Addiction, Depression, Family, Intergenerational-trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Poverty
Where2Watch: Netflix
A family that seems to have more going against them as each day progresses, yet they still manage to pull through. Even if it isn’t a perfect landing each time. This show hits on the profound impact a parental figure has on a family unit, even in their absence. Along with the struggles, the distress, the emotional spirals, of youth trying to adjust to the hard realities society has in store for those who are not as (financially) fortunate as others. The dark humor blended with realistic displays of “going through it” allow for this show to hit harder and harder the more you continue to watch it, especially as you get to see the (literal) growth of the entire family unit.
10
Jessica Jones
Genre: Action, Crime
Topics:Addiction, Coping, Sexual Assault, Trauma
Where2Watch: Netflix
A PI that is observant, clever, addicted to alcohol, yet always ends up trying to do the right thing. Initially in the series it seems as if Jessica avoids interacting with people because she genuinely dislikes just about everyone. An unfortunate truth rooted in her traumatic past of having been sexually assaulted, a truth she manages to overcome in ways that parallel the reality of healing and its non-linear ways. The show conveys someone with superpowers in a more realistic way by making the pursuit of moving on seem a lot trickier than it usually does in other superhero stories. Resilience + solidarity with a little more punch to it.
11
People of earth
Genre: Comedy
Topics: Anxiety, Existential, Group Therapy, Trauma
Where2Watch: Hulu
A satirical yet layered take on going through a traumatic experience and piecing your mind & experience back together. Group therapy is a focal point….and so are aliens. The existential question of “are we alone” is symbolically embodied throughout the body of the show. Sprinkled with Arrested Development humor, it grows on you the more you hold space for that very thought.
mental health in movies
(Also, in no particular order)
01
inside out (2015)
Genre: Animated, Drama
Topics: Coping, Emotional Intelligence
Where2Watch: Disney+
A suuuper thoughtful and well-done characterization of our emotions and musing on how they “control” our actions. A deep movie to teach kids and adult-kids alike how to get familiar with our emotions and the blurred lines between them all.
02
Finding Nemo (2003)
Genre: Animated, Drama
Topics: Alzhiemers, Grief, Intimate-Relationships, Resilience
Where2Watch: Disney+
An oldie but goodie about a small disabled clown fish, raised by a dad with anxious and over-protective tendencies, who one day finds himself on a journey across the ocean all by himself. Along the way, he joins forces with a passionate and friendly fish who suffers from short-term memory loss. Both Nemo and his Dad go on equally challenging journeys as they overcome their physical and mental challenges to find each other and make their way back home.
03
The Notebook
Genre: Drama, Mind-bender
Topics: Alzhiemers, Grief, Intimate-Relationships, Resilience
Where2Watch: Hulu
This movie has been talked about for many years so you are probably already familiar with the actors, the plot, and all that good stuff. But did you know about the light it sheds on living with a neurological condition that affects your memories? Yes, it is easy to get caught up in the romance, the fights, cute humor, but the gravity behind the storyteller and the listener….heavy stuff. After seeing the film, the sense of appreciation for the life that you live pulsates through your body like the moment when you stub your toe. Just as unexpected too! All jokes aside, there are many social themes prevalent throughout the film, however, the major concept that underlies it all is the toll aging can take on you, your perspective, and your relationships. Being grateful for what you can do, for what you have, for what you remember, should be practiced everyday, but it is all easily taken for granted, until time begins to take those things away.
04
Benjamin Button
Genre: Drama, Mind-bender
Topics: Family, Chronic conditions, Intimate-Relationships, Self-perception, Stigma, Resilience
Where2Watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime
A child is born with a rare condition, aging backwards. Ironically enough, all of his emotional/social/personal development went on in ways that seemed as though age had nothing to do with it. The parallels between being old and being young put a smile on your face, before making it twist and drop and turn due to the harsh truths to growing up in a world where your appearance plays a role in how other people treat you. Their assumptions. Your assumptions. Your self-esteem. Yet both of those things can be fully embraced by you as you continue to see more of the bigger picture.
05
up (2009)
Genre: Drama
Topics: Grief, Loss, Relationships
Where2Watch: Disney+
A heartfelt reminder to keep your head up, the film shows a man fed up with life after his significant other passes on. The pain of loss is a major theme throughout the film, in addition to the possibility of change, which happened to be brought to his doorstep unexpectedly by a young boy. The odd pairing of the two characters reflect that in many friendships that did not start off on the right foot, but with time and commitment, the quality of the bond rises to heights least expected. Sometimes it is in the place you would never think to look that you find the answers you were looking for.
06
Avengers end game
Genre: Action
Topics: Grief, Support, Trauma
Where2Watch: Disney+
Thanos snapped his fingers, and this is what coping with that trauma looks like, for superheros at least. The world has a gloomy vibe to it as folks are recovering from such a pandemic. But there are elements of truth in the world’s response to a mental health crisis, development of (undiagnosed) conditions, along with the struggle in trying to cope day in day out within a results-based society that intentionally ignores or makes fun of your wounds. Thor stealing the show in ways that make you laugh but cry on the inside because you recognize the hurt adds to the film’s dynamic way of showing people going through it. Also serves as a reminder that everything is on time, even when it doesn’t seem like that is true, time always seems to move things forward.
07
coco
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Topics: Dementia, Family, Identity, Intergenerational Trauma, Stigma
Where2Watch: Disney+
Family is a pivotal pillar in all of our lives. For Miguel this truth is challenged by his thirst for creative expression. An experience familiar to most who have ever wanted to do something artistic in a household where art is trumped by education, high salary careers, all things STEM-related, and cultural expectations. Although the journey Miguel takes is to a place people tend to have a one-way ticket to, the desire he has to do what he loves gets amplified by the growth of his personal connection to his family & family history in ways that will make you laughcry.
08
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Topics: Chronic Conditions, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Coping, Relationships
Where2Watch: HBO Max
Randle dives further and further into the depths of his sanity (and possible lack thereof) once he enters a state mental institution after being transferred there from prison. His fellow mates haven’t much hope, the staff don’t have much hope, and the doctor in charge seems to be in a world of his own. The change one can bring to an entire community when they put their heart and mind to it are evident as life in the ward seems to shift from monochrome to lively, as Randle spends more time bringing out the personalities of his fellow residents through pranks, humor, disrupting the status quo, and a wild trip on a (stolen) school bus.
09
The Joker (2019)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Topics: Chronic Conditions, Self-Perception, Trauma
Where2Watch: HBO Max
The villain gets his story told with less heroes in capes, and more clarity on the emotional turmoil existing in the iconic laugh. The Joker feels much more human in this as the film shows the progression from a person living with a chronic condition nobody around him understands that well, to an unapologetic risk taker who disobeys societal norms & expectations intentionally. Definitely is not a figure to role model healthy coping, BUT, the hardship in living with something that impacts your everyday as others have no clue about what you are going through give this story a layered depth waiting to be delved into.
10
Shutter Island (2010)
Genre: Mind-bender, Mystery, Thriller
Topics: Chronic Conditions, Psychosis, Self-Perception, Trauma
Where2Watch: Netflix
If you have seen Inception or read the summary of that film, then you basically have the jist of Shutter Island down. Not to say it is the same movie, BUT there is an emphasis placed on perspective…and Leonardo DiCaprio does a hell of a job at making the viewer question everything for the majority of the film. Once again, if you’ve seen Inception, then you already know what type of roller coaster ride this is. Many of the characters involved are living with a chronic mental condition, in a space where treatment is more or less “follow the rules, take your meds, don’t cause any trouble” to say the least. However this in itself mirrors the reality of the medical industry in America nowadays. There are (supposedly) pills for everything, yet, little do you know that most of the medication available for treatment of mental conditions are damnnear the same things with minor tweaks to them here and there. And don’t get me started on the parallels between the mental ward shown in the film and the history of psych wards in this country. That is a rabbit hole of pain and mind-fuckery. Sorta like this film! Be prepared to be creeped out the entire time, to be entertained the entire time, and for a wild ass ending that makes you want to rewind back to the beginning to be sure you understood what even went down. You know, like Inception.
11
Inception (2010)
Genre: Drama, Mind-bender
Topics:Depression, Grief, Self-Perception
Where2Watch: Netflix
This movie makes more sense after you’ve seen it already and are rewatching it again for the third time round…kind of. Ultimately, the bounds to what expanding your perception/awareness looks like when you are lucid dreaming….with other people lucid dreaming, in your dream, and theirs. Yet all of this is wrapped around someone who is still mourning the loss of a loved one as they desperately try to hang on to their sanity as work gets more and more stressful, let alone unpredictable. A cinematic way of showing how transformative your perception of the world can be when you put your mind to it.
12
Silver Linings Playbook
(2012)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Topics: Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Conditions, Intimate Relationships
Where2Watch: Amazon Prime
Pat, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, is released from a mental hospital after a violent incident involving his wife and another man. He immediately moves in with his father, who is dealing with symptoms of OCD. Atop of all of this, Pat wants to get back with his wife, even though she has a restraining order on him. Eventually he becomes friends with Tiffany, a young woman who’s grieving the death of her husband by coping with her depression through compulsive sex. Tiffany happens to know Pat’s wife so she offers to deliver a letter he wrote to her, ONLY if he signs up as her dance partner in a local competition. A comedic-emotional kaleidoscope of people dealing with chronic conditions and the consequences of their choices simultaneously
13
A Beautiful Mind
(2001)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Topics: Chronic Conditions, Schizophrenia
Where2Watch: Amazon Prime
The development of the human mind never ends, it simply changes course overtime. The nature of that course depends on your predispositions, your surroundings, your diet, so many factors. For mathematician and genius John Nash, the course of nature of his mind was like a tsunami wave of change. This biography about a person who went from (seemingly) having it all, to losing everything is devastating to witness, once you wrap your head around what is actually happening. For Nash, it takes him a minute to catch on, and by the time he does, the world was several paces ahead of him.
As noted earlier, we will be updating this list as we discover more mental health goodness in media, so feel free to check back often. Let us know if there are any film or shows we should add, in the comments below (: