A Great Watch List for Mental Health Awareness

Curating a must watch list for mental health awareness? There are lots of great films and TV shows that explore the portrayal of these complex issues. Although mental illness can be difficult to talk about, it’s essential to be open and honest about these experiences. That way, we can approach the topics with more empathy and understanding with the goal of one day destigmatizing them altogether!

Watch List for Mental Health Awareness

It doesn’t matter if you’re watching it on TV or streaming online. A show or movie with an accurate portrayal of mental health can have a profound effect on how we talk about such things a society.

Here are a couple of shows and movies that shed light on the realities of living with a mental health issue

Normal People

Normal People, is an Emmy-nominated miniseries that tackles several important mental health issues. The show is centered around the lives of Marianne and Connell as they transition from high school into college.

Although the serious is considered to be a romantic comedy, there’s a lot of discussion surrounding Connell’s mental health issues. Throughout the show, he struggles with depression and anxiety, although there are also themes around suicide, guilt, and grief. Marianne also must deal with her own personal issues, including how her abusive brother and neglectful mother impact her romantic relationships.

Silver Linings Playbook

One of the greatest (and arguably most uplifting) films about mental illness is Silver Linings Playbook. After leaving a mental facility for bipolar disorder treatment, Pat meets a young widow dealing with mental health issues of her own. Together, they decide to take up dancing with plans to enter their routine into a dance competition.

However, the movie doesn’t only discuss bipolar disorder or mental health hospitalization. There are discussions of obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, and coping mechanisms.

Ted Lasso

There’s a reason why Ted Lasso has become one of the most beloved (and critically acclaimed) comedies in years. It’s witty, uplifting, and has no problem tackling important social and cultural issues. One of the main topics that often comes up is the leading character’s battle with anxiety.

During the show, he has bouts of depression and deals with panic attacks, isolation, and loneliness. Later on, he decides to face his issues and seek professional help from a sports psychologist. This is a poignant point in the show, especially considering his role as a coach, a traditionally alpha-male role.

Ted’s approach to mental health is an important reminder that illness can affect anyone in any sort of social role. It also shows that getting help isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather one of strength and resilience.

A Beautiful Mind

This biographical drama from 2001 is an essential film for those who want to learn more about schizophrenia and mental health. It’s based on real-life mathematician John Nash and his struggle with living and working with the illness. It also offers viewers a rare glimpse into the mind of someone with schizophrenia and how reality and paranoia blend together.

All-in-all, it’s a beautifully done movie that won four Academy Awards including Best Pictures.

Black-ish

It’s rare to find a sitcom that discusses mental health, but Black-ish does an excellent job of doing so. The series follows an upper-middle-class black family and how they navigate work, school, relationships, and society.

But in Season 2, Black-ish takes on a much heavier topic of postpartum depression. The episode is based on the show’s executive producer’s own experiences and was even aired on World Mental Health Day.

Because postpartum depression still carries a stigma, this show does a great job of breaking down those barriers. It also discusses how the illness impacts the family, and what they do to provide help.

Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted is a biographical film that should be on anyone’s must watch list for mental health awareness. The Oscar-winning film features an all-star cast and an important message about society’s treatment of those with mental illnesses.

Based on the memoir of the same name, the movie follows an 18-year-old woman who is hospitalized and then diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. In the ward, she meets other women grappling with different issues, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, and pathological lying.

Black Swan

This psychological thriller is a complex look at one woman’s downward spiral into anxiety and psychosis. Nina is a professional ballerina who has extreme performance anxiety as she strives to perfect her role in an upcoming ballet. Not only does she suffer from anxiety, but she also shows obsessive-compulsive behaviors as well as bulimia.

The film does an excellent job of portraying psychosis, and how it can impact someone if left untreated.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

If you want a coming-of-age drama with a realistic look at mental health in kids, watch the Perks of Being a Wallflower. It follows Charlie, a high school freshman who was recently discharged from a mental health institution. He suffers from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and finds it difficult to navigate the intricacies of high school life.

The film takes a hard look at the implications these illnesses have, not just on your health but on your social upbringing as well.

Talking about mental health and illness requires a certain level of sensitivity and empathy. It’s not an easy topic, but watching a TV show or movie that sheds light on these issues can help. Therefore, creating a watch list for mental health awareness is a great first step toward educating yourself. There are lots of streaming services out there, like Disney+ and Paramount, where you can find other quality content about mental health. While these shows can help, remember that mental illness is a serious issue. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact a professional or look for behavioral health specialists.