A List of 70 Movies With Mental Illness
Sometimes its hard to talk about stuff, especially if we are trying to share what we are experiencing.
Movies can be a powerful tool for portraying and exploring mental health struggles, helping others in understanding and empathy towards what we are struggling with.
By depicting characters with mental health challenges in a realistic and sensitive manner, movies can provide insight into the experiences, emotions, and daily struggles faced by individuals with mental health struggles. Viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of these conditions and the impact they have on a person's life.
Additionally, movies are great at starting those hard conversations!
When someone see characters navigating their mental health journeys on screen, it can encourage discussions about mental health and promote acceptance and support for those who are dealing with similar challenges in real life. By humanizing the experiences of individuals with mental illness, movies have the potential to increase empathy, understanding, and compassion in society as a whole.
Ultimately, movies have the ability to educate, inspire, and create a sense of solidarity among viewers, offering a unique perspective on the realities of living with mental health struggles. By showcasing the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of individuals facing these issues, movies can help bridge the gap between those who are living with mental health conditions and those who may not fully comprehend the extent of their experiences.
Movies With Mental Illness
It’s Kind of a Funny Story – Suicide and Depression
What about Bob? - Anxiety
The Aviator - OCD and Panic Attacks
Mary and Max – Asperger, Substance Abuse, Depression, Suicide ideation
The Soloist - Schizophrenia
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - PTSD
Flight - Substance Abuse
Silver Linings Playbook – Bipolar Disorder and Depression
As Good As It Gets – OCD
Proof – Mental Illness in Family
Safe Haven – Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
Robot & Frank - Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Iron Man 3 – PTSD, Anxiety, and Panic Attacks
Win Win – Panic Attacks, Anger Management, Substance Abuse, Depression
The Grinch That Stole Christmas - Depression
Confessions of a Shopaholic – Shopping Addiction
The Avengers – Anger Management
28 Days – Substance Use and Overdose
Blue Jasmine – Substance Use, Mental Illness, Suicide, Domestic violence
The Kings Speech – Social Anxiety and Stuttering
Nebraska – Substance Use and Dementia
Life as a House - Substance Use and Overcoming Depression
In Her Shoes - Substance Abuse, Dyslexia, and Trauma
50 First Dates - ABI/TBI
Saving Mr. Banks - Alcohol Addiction/Depression
The Blind Side – Homelessness, Substance Use, Child Abuse/Neglect, Poverty
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas – Cultural Awareness, Family acceptance, Bullying
Country Strong with Narcan presentation – Substance Abuse, Depression, Suicide
Catfish – Healthy Relationships, Online Chatting/Dating
Barefoot – Gambling, Mental Health in the Family
St. Vincent - Gambling, Substance Use, and Alzheimer’s disease.
To Write Love on Her Arms – Substance Abuse, Trauma, Self-Harm
Big Hero 6 – Grief and Loss
Hancock – Substance Use, Quality of Life, Interpersonal Skills, Incarceration, Depression
Still Alice - Alzheimer’s Disease, Healthy Relationships
The Way Way Back - Self Improvement
Black or White - Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Ageing, Grief and Loss and Finding Purpose in Life
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Substance Use, Anger, Family Stress and Dementia
The Gambler – Gambling
Inside Out – Emotion Regulation
A Walk in The Woods – Substance Use, Recovery and Legal Concerns
Burnt – Substance Use and Recovery
Concussion – ABI/TBI
Clutter – Hoarding and Depression
Infinitely Bipolar Bear – Bipolar
It’s Kind of a Funny Story – Suicide and Depression
Angry Birds – Anger
Lars and The Real Girl – Delusional Disorder and Community and Family Support
The Fundamentals of Caring – Grief and Loss and Muscular dystrophy.
The Christmas Carol – Depression, Anger, Family Dynamics
Finding Dory – Short term memory loss, ABI/TBI and other mental and physical challenges
Begin Again – Substance Abuse and Depression
Trolls – Mood Disorder and Isolation
13th – Racial Inequality
Moana – Self-Esteem and Identity
Silver Linings Playbook – Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Beauty and the Beast – Anger, Grief and Loss
Hidden Figures – Gender and Racial Equality
A Beautiful Mind – Schizophrenia and Paranoia
Little Miss Sunshine – Depression, Suicide Ideation
Rounders – Gambling and Legal