Blog Post written by: Cayley Bowman
Over the decades, mental health has been represented both positively and negatively in movies and TV shows. In many cases, characters who are portrayed as having mental health issues come across as offensive or completely inaccurate, which can contribute to harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings. These portrayals often prioritize shock value or entertainment over realistic depictions, leaving audiences with a distorted view of what mental illness actually looks like. However, not all representations are like this. Some films and series take the time to explore mental health with care, ensuring accuracy and sensitivity, helping to reduce stigma and promote empathy. These portrayals can be powerful tools for awareness and understanding when done right.
The Problem with Stereotypes
Movies have been a form of entertainment for over one hundred years, and stereotypes have long presided over the world of films. Too often, mental illness is used as a plot device rather than something explored with nuance. Characters with mental illness are often exaggerated in media to be dangerous, which has created a long-standing association with mental illness and violence. This is particularly apparent in the genres of horror and thrillers, where characters with conditions like schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder are portrayed as unstable or homicidal. These portrayals prioritize shock value and drama over accuracy, painting a misleading image of what living with a mental health condition actually looks like. This kind of storytelling doesn’t just misinform its audience—it constantly contributes to the stigma surrounding mental health. When people constantly see characters with mental illness depicted as “crazy” and irredeemable, it reinforces the idea that mental health challenges are something to fear and avoid discussing. However, it also makes it harder for those who are struggling to feel seen and safe seeking help. The stereotypes created through media do not just stay on screen; they seep into real-world perceptions and attitudes.
The Bad
Some of the most harmful portrayals of mental health and illness in film and television come from popular titles that misuse mental health conditions for dramatic effect. For example, Split presents a character with dissociative identity disorder (DID) as violent and dangerous, reinforcing the outdated and harmful myths about individuals with this disorder. The film follows a man with multiple personalities who kidnaps and terrorizes different women, and rather than offering any realistic into DID, the movie turns the condition into a plot device used to shock and frighten viewers. It suggests that those with DID are unpredictable and dangerous, which is not only inaccurate but also deeply stigmatizing for those who live with the disorder.
The classic film Psycho also plays a major role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The film’s protagonist is Norman Bates, and he is portrayed as someone who suffers from a mental break and develops a split personality after the traumatic death of his mother. The movie sensationalizes his mental illness and ultimately frames him as a cold-blooded killer with no grip on reality. This frames individuals with split personality disorder as harmful and violent in media, which bleeds into real-life perceptions. While Psycho is considered a cinematic masterpiece, its long-lasting legacy includes the reinforcement of the idea that mental health equates to violence—an idea that still lingers in popular media today.
Films are not the only form of media that negatively portrays mental health and fuels harmful stereotypes. In television, shows like 13 Reasons Why have been heavily criticized for their graphic and sensationalized portrayal of depression and teen suicide. The first season centers around a teenage girl who leaves behind cassette tapes that explain the reasons why she took her own life, placing blame on other people around her. This show sparked conversations about mental health in schools and among teens, but it failed to provide appropriate context or mental health resources. The detailed depiction of suicide and depression, the lack of focus on recovery, and the absence of professional intervention throughout the series made many mental health experts worried about its potential to do more harm than good—particularly for the impressionable young viewers that the show was targeted towards.
Even long-running shows like Grey’s Anatomy have fallen short when it comes to accurate representation of mental health in their various storylines. Characters with mental illness are often portrayed as erratic or too far beyond help, and their conditions are often introduced briefly as a plot device for dramatic effect and then forgotten. For example, characters experiencing psychosis or bipolar disorder are sometimes depicted in extreme and unrealistic ways without any follow-up or long-term treatment. In most episodes, when mental health is discussed, characters are often not seen in further episodes and are just magically “better.” This sends the message that mental health issues are temporarily used to drive the plot forward, not to represent the realities of the serious conditions that need consistent care and understanding.
In all of these cases, the issue isn’t just that of dramatic license—it’s the thoughtless treatment of real and complex mental health conditions that people experience on a daily basis. When mental health is constantly used as a tool for danger, instability, and violence, it misinforms the viewers and deepens the stigma surrounding mental health, preventing people from feeling comfortable seeking help or openly talking about their struggles.
The Good
While there are negative stereotypes portrayed throughout media, there is good representation in films and television as well. More recently, the media has had more realistic and positive portrayals of mental health in recent years. Films like Inside Out offer a more nuanced look at emotional well-being, using an animated format to explore how all of the different emotions play a vital role in a child’s mental and emotional development. Rather than shaming emotions or promoting toxic positivity, Inside Out emphasizes that it’s okay to feel a wide range of emotions—they are all important, even if they don’t always make you feel good.
Another strong example is Silver Linings Playbook, which centers around Pat, a man with bipolar disorder who is trying to rebuild his life after a stint in a psychiatric facility. The film doesn’t present his condition as something to fear or villainize. Instead, it shows the daily complexities of living with bipolar disorder—managing triggers, navigating relationships, and struggling with emotional regulation—while also exploring themes of healing and hope. Tiffany is another character who is coping with grief and depression, and her presence brings depth to the story. Together, Pat and Tiffany’s evolving connection emphasizes the importance of support, vulnerability, and second chances. The movie balances realism with optimism and offers the viewers a portrayal of mental health that resembles realities. It shows that while healing isn’t linear, it is absolutely possible with patience and connection.
Television is also beginning to offer more realistic portrayals of mental health, such as BoJack Horseman, which has tackled the topic head-on—especially around addiction, depression, and self-destructive behaviors. The show is animated and follows BoJack, a washed-up celebrity who is struggling to find meaning in his life while repeatedly sabotaging his own chances at happiness. What makes this show stand out from others is its refusal to tie everything up with a neat ending, instead showing that personal growth is slow and often painful. BoJack’s depression is handled with nuance and honesty, highlighting how it affects not only the individual but also everyone around them. The show also explores themes of intergenerational trauma, relapse, and the difficulty of taking accountability without ever glamorizing the pain. It may be uncomfortable at times, but it’s deeply human and ultimately emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the possibility of change.
Similarly, Sex Education offers a thoughtful and refreshingly honest depiction of mental health, particularly among teenagers. The show explores anxiety, shame, identity, and trauma through a wide range of characters without reducing any of their experiences to cliches. Maeve’s complex relationship with her absent parents and Otis’s struggles with anxiety and communication both highlight how early experiences can shape emotional health. Aimee’s storyline, which follows her processing a sexual assault in season 3, is handled with care and sensitivity. It shows her gradual journey through fear, denial, and eventually healing with the help of friends and therapy. What sets the show apart is its commitment to showing that mental health isn’t just a one-time conversation—it’s an ongoing part of life. It normalizes asking for help, going to therapy, and learning how to set boundaries, making it a valuable watch for both teens and adults alike.
The Result
Media has a powerful influence on how we understand and talk about mental health. While harmful stereotypes and negative portrayals exist, films and television are slowly starting to shift and challenge those outdated narratives with stories that are more honest, empathetic, and grounded in reality. The shift toward accurate representation helps reduce stigma and encourage open conversations, as well as remind viewers that mental health is a part of everyday life—not something to be feared or dramatized for entertainment. As audiences, we have the ability to support this change by uplifting content that handles mental health with care and demanding better from media that falls short. When stories can offer real-life struggles, they can also offer real help.
