We’ve talked a lot about anxiety and depression on our blog these last couple of weeks and how to deal with isolation during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, but today we wanted to lighten things up just a bit.
Have you been watching more TV lately now that you’re stuck at home?
We thought it might be interesting to list movies we like relating to mental illness and mental wellness. Most of these are pretty serious. A few on this list may have sadness. A couple are funny or happy.
We like thinking about the lesson we can take away or something we can learn from watching the story in the movie. It’s important in life to learn from the stories around us. Movies can be very poignant and emotional.
There are other movies that came to mind as we developed this list but some movies don’t do a fair representation of today’s behavioral health industry. (for example: The 1975 One Flew Over the Cockoo’s Nest)
We’d love to hear if you have a movie to add to our list. Or maybe some feedback on what you like or don’t like about any of these movies on our makeshift list. Please send us your ideas – especially if they’re lighthearted and positive! We can all use some positive engagement right now.
Beautiful Mind and The Soloist – Very accurate portrayals of the life of two accomplished people who struggled with schizophrenia
Silver Linings Playbook – Good portrayal of a person with bipolar disorder and effect on family members who love him
Aviator – Historical depiction of Howard Hughes and some of his struggles w/obsessive compulsive disorder
Little Miss Sunshine – One character (not the main character) has depression and attempted suicide. Good portrayal of not letting suicide define you and your family
It’s Kind of A Funny Story – Teen depression and suicide
Black Swan – Themes of striving for perfection and related paranoia, psychosis
What About Bob? – Funny, light story showing off-beat relationship between therapist and dependent/clingy client
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot – Portrayal of alcoholism and recovery based on true story of cartoonist John Callaghan.
The Joker – Trauma and mental illness (not a favorite because it is quite extreme and is based on a fictional cartoon character)
