Mental health and movies have a tempestuous relationship. Often times depictions are very inaccurate or stereotyped. But there are some films worth watching that portray mental health accurately and respectfully.
Inside Out
Pixar’s animated masterpiece Inside Out is great for both it’s depiction and discussion of mental health and also it’s focus on children’s mental health. Learning about emotional wellness, grief, and how change can impact us mentally are all covered in this movie and done so well.
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Yes, I know this was a book first. But I have it on my movie list because the movie is what made me fully understand the story and the mental health issues of Charlie. With a focus on what happens when we internalize issues and trauma for too long, this movie is definitely worth a watch.
Silver Linings Playbook
Bipolar disorder is a commonly misunderstood mental illness and is the main issue for Pat in Silver Linings Playbook. But what is really worth watching this film for is the journey to learning how to cope and live with the illness. And the film is overall a hopeful look at recovery.
A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama based on the true story of the famous mathematician, John Forbes Nash, Jr. who has schizophrenia. We see the world through his eyes and thus his illness. And the film depicts him unlike the stereotypes of being a horrible human, but as an intelligent and sympathetic one.
What movie would you recommend for some mental health viewing? Share it with a comment!
Inside Out is so good. This is a movie I would save to show my children when they’re old enough to understand the message.
Oooooh, I have watched all of these, I didn’t expect that. Out of the list, I think Inside out is a must-watch for all. It describes emotions and the changing patterns of emotions so nicely and in a comical way. It is wonderful. I admire the person who thought this idea out. Thanks a lot for all the recommendation. They are all lovely movies and everyone should watch them.
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I suggest Justice League vs Fatal Five
The only one of these I’ve seen is Inside Out and I wasn’t really a fan! There was just something about the emotion characters, except Sadness, that irritated me. I’ll have to check out the others though, especially Silver Linings.
They are exaggerations of those emotions and they themselves don’t really feel anything else so I can see why they can be irritating. All of them together makes the complexities of Riley, plus adding puberty.
That’s true. I preferred the emotions in mum and dad’s minds to be honest. Perhaps because they were more in check with their emotions? Hm, may have to give a rewatch with a new perspective in mind.
Exactly. The parents have already gone through their formative years and understand their emotions better than Riley.
I’ve seen both Silver Linings Playbook and A Beautiful Mind and they are definitely diving into mental conditions that don’t get explored often.