How Movies Portray Mental Health: Accurately Or Harmfully?

I have always enjoyed movies, and I would be lying if I were to say that I haven't found myself pondering just how mental health appears on screen. Throughout these years, I have definitely realized that films can very seriously influence our view of this part of life, whether the view is positive, negative, or even misleading. While some films do a great job of highlighting the complexities of mental health, others reinforce stereotypes or create simplistic portrayals.

What really amazes me about the mental health of movie characters is how it can so easily humanize or stigmatize them. Take for example A Beautiful Mind. The film about mathematician John Nash really captured the inner turmoil of living with schizophrenia. It's a very complex portrayal that doesn't make his mental health issues plot points, but rather shows how it shapes his life, relationships, and achievements. That, to me, is an example of a movie treating mental health with the nuance it deserves.

On the other hand, there are so many films in which mental health is oversimplified or used for dramatic effect, and that's where I think movies often fall short. For example, Girl, Interrupted-while a cult classic-can be kind of problematic in its portrayal of the mental health ward, showing it as a sort of chaotic, almost romanticized place full of quirky and troubled patients. It's a film that certainly leaves me conflicted because, while it does bring attention to such important issues as depression and borderline personality disorder, it doesn't really provide a very good-or helpful-portrayal of treatment or recovery, for that matter.

Perhaps one of the most irksome ways in which mental health is portrayed on screen is the tendency for film characters with mental illness to be depicted as dangerous or violent. Films like Psycho or American Psycho have contributed to this stereotype, making the connection between mental illness and violence more pronounced than it actually is in real life. Having friends and family members who struggle with their mental health, I can say that is far from the reality. Most people with mental health conditions are not violent; they're simply trying to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.

There are, on the other hand, films I think get it right, which, in their process, help break down some stigma surrounding mental health. Silver Linings Playbook is one that depicts nicely the messy, complicated reality of living with bipolar disorder. It does not sugarcoat the challenges faced by the characters, yet it also shows recovery is possible, and mental health does not define a person's worth or ability to have meaningful relationships. It is a movie that feels grounded and realistic to me, offering hope without feeling overly sentimental or unrealistic.

Another film that really stood out to me was The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It captures the deep emotional turmoil of a young person fighting with trauma and depression; it portrays the process of healing in a sensitive and authentic way. I really appreciate how this movie does not just dwell on the issues of the character but also on supportive relationships and therapy. It's just the reminder needed: for so many people, treatment of their mental health through either therapy or medication is life's normal. Ultimately, I believe it is upon movies to reflect on the aspects of mental health accurately and with empathy. Of course, films are designed for entertainment, but again, they should have an educating element to break the misconceptions. For me, the most impactful movies about mental health are the ones that acknowledge its complexity, rather than reducing it to a one-dimensional plot point or a character’s quirk. While there’s still a long way to go, I’m hopeful that we’ll see more films that handle mental health in a thoughtful and respectful way. After all, the more we talk about mental health in honest and nuanced ways, the more we can work toward a society where mental illness is treated with the understanding it truly deserves.