Erin Harings Connecticut Counselor and Mental Health Courses

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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

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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 – 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

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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

Let me know if you have any more to add in the comments below!