Mental Illness on the Silver Screen
We see plenty of damaging and misleading stereotypes—but some films foster empathy toward people who are suffering.
We see plenty of damaging and misleading stereotypes—but some films foster empathy toward people who are suffering.
How common are mental health problems? Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week.
Research released March 2014 shows a shocking 93 per cent of people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities who have mental health problems face discrimination because of them. The report shows people are trying to cope with discrimination across various areas of life, such as finding and keeping a job, relationships and friendships, and social … More
The mass media is influential in shaping people’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. Clarifying the way in which the media informs and misinforms the public in an area like mental illness is particularly important, because community understanding of mental disorders is less than optimal and stigma and discrimination are not uncommon.
A report presented to the Foresight Project on communicating the evidence base for improving people’s well-being.
Programme exploring the limits and potential of the human mind.
Stigma against people with mental health problems is centuries old: it crosses every national boundary and every culture. This report identifies popular films as a reservoir of prejudice, ignorance and fear that feeds and perpetuates damaging stereotypes of people with mental health problems. It shows the evidence that links powerful negative images with public prejudice.
World Mental Health Day shines a light on mental health experiences.
Now, more than ever, we must recognise the importance of mental health, how it is intrinsically connected to our physical health, and how we can care for ourselves and each other, support community, sensitivity and share experiences and offer solidarity.
In 2020, The World Health Organisation, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health issued a press release calling for greater recognition of the need for support services, citing:
“Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. And now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health.
“Yet, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders receive no treatment for their condition at all. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.”
Often misrepresented, mental health stories on screen can add to stigma around mental health conditions. Taking opportunities to raise awareness, and supporting education, cinemas across the UK are screening films to broaden understanding about mental health experiences, and ignite important discussions about how we look after each other.
For this list of films that depict mental illness, the writers tried to find films that were engaging, at least somewhat realistic in their approach to presenting the experience of mental illness, and did not demonize or negatively portray (without reason) those who have mental illnesses.
To mark almost seven years of Minds on Film, here is an updated index of blogs in an archive. They are organised by specific psychiatric conditions or particular mental health issues, and some key titles are highlighted.