In recent years, mental health has been given much-needed attention not only by the public health sector but by the media as well. One of its prominent examples is some of the well-received and acclaimed movies. Although, Hollywood is not quite known for creating the kind of content that has a true representation of mental health. However, thankfully so, there are some releases over the years that have hit the mark.
In this article, we have listed some of the best movies with true mental health representation. These films showcase the brevity of this topic and how it can have an effect on an individual’s life and society as a whole.
Just FYI, you can easily stream these movies online, however, make sure you have a stable internet connection to watch them in HD. For this, we suggest getting a subscription to Xfinity since its in-home Wi-Fi allows for seamless streaming. If this interests you, then you can call on Xfinity phone number to inquire more about its plans and packages.
With that being said, let’s take a look at our top picks of these films.
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of the most powerful movies when it comes to mental illnesses and the way to deal with them. It accurately portrays the symptoms of PTSD in an adult who has gone through the trauma of sexual abuse as a child.
Adapted from the novel written by Stephen Chbosky, the movie, similar to its source material, wonderfully shows a character who struggles with depression. No matter how many people you surround yourself with, you fail to fill the void inside you if you are battling this mental disease.
The main character sees himself as a wallflower with social anxiety. He meets two students at his new school but these people are the complete opposite of who he is. But despite the differences, the unlikely trio finds themselves in a beautiful friendship that can heal broken hearts and souls.
The movie is currently available on Hulu to stream.
2. Black Swan (2010)
It would not be a stretch to say that Black Swan is quite an intriguing tale. This dark psychological thriller touches upon sensitive topics like self-harm. The movie shows a journey of a young woman through her first episode of psychosis.
Not only this, she also experiences Anorexia nervosa, which is subtly hinted at in a few scenes when she refuses to eat food. In addition to this, Nina, the main character, shows symptoms of obsessive-compulsive with a borderline personality disorder.
The film depicts Nina’s passion for dancing but this passion has turned lethal. Her rivalry with her competitor in the play turns into a twisted friendship which further brings out the dark side to her.
The movie is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
3. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Based on a novel of the same name by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook tells the story of one character who suffers from bipolar disorder and the other one who has a borderline personality disorder and is dealing with the loss of her husband.
The movie may seem like a romantic comedy but it meticulously deals with the serious topics by touching upon heavy themes, all while staying true to the representation of mental health.
The character of Pat has recently been released from a mental institute and now he has his mind fixated on getting back together with his wife. But things and circumstances are not in his favor. What’s more, the situation becomes even more complicated when he meets Tiffany, who has problems of her own.
The movie can be found in the library of Hulu as of now.
4. Inside Out (2015)
We know you might be surprised to see this one in the list but Inside Out actually has deeper meanings hidden inside than what we see on the surfaced level. This colorful movie takes the audience into the brain of a teenage girl and thus, you embark on an emotional journey with her.
Sadness and pain are one of the most important, yet inevitable parts of life and no matter how much you try to sweep them under the rug, they always resurface and force you to confront them head-on.
The movie tells the story of Riley, a seemingly happy eleven-year-old girl, whose life suddenly changes when she has to move to San Francisco with her parents. Her emotions guide her through this time but amidst this period, sadness, and stress continue to take over her mind and body. This turns into anger, fear, and disgust being the most prominent emotions in her.
You can watch this movie on Disney Plus today!
Final Words
Pop culture has hardly paid much heed to mental illness, even if so, the representation has not been up to the mark. However, the abovementioned movies have definitely done a phenomenal job at spreading awareness on sensitive topics and educating the audience on these prevalent matters.
