Movies, like songs, sometimes say the things we can't. Picture: Ron Lach/Pexels
NOT too long ago, I stumbled upon a Reddit thread online that felt like walking through a door I didn’t know I needed to open. It was about movies that actually get mental health right – a world I find myself walking through every day.
Many shared their thoughts on films that, in their eyes, painted a true picture of this journey. This talk wasn't just chatter; it felt important, like finding words for things I've felt but couldn't say.
You see, in the movies, struggles with mental health often seem to wrap up neatly – a bow on a box, hiding the mess inside, that edge to just disappear into the void.
But life isn't like that. It's more scary, unpredictable and messy than all the invincible characters on our movie screens. And standing there, or rather, living it, can feel like you're on a stage where everyone else knows their lines and you're just ... guessing.
Movies, like songs, sometimes say the things we can't. They capture our fears, hopes, and moments of beauty so perfectly, they stick with us. I remember the buzz around "Yes Day." ( I know not a mental health movie, bear with me ).
"Yes, Day" hit differently for me. It was more than just topical it ignited a little something in me. Around me, I heard some of the parents trying it, embracing a day filled with yeses, a little reverse in our routine world.
The idea that for once, the kids lead, is a playful break in the clouds. It's seemingly simple, yet, at its core, it's a glimpse of freedom, something that my journey often feels stripped of.
I thought instead of yes day our movie dates could play into reviews of what we liked about our movie of choice, a teaching moment plus a little tap into reality.
That's the thing about stories, whether on screen or in a song – they influence us, shape us. They can make us feel seen or inspire us to see the world in new colours.
As someone who wrestles with my shadows, I've found these moments are more than just passing the time. They're lessons, shared quietly in the glow of the screen.
When movies try to show what's happening inside our minds, they often miss the mark. They end up painting a picture of mental health that's either a little too much or too far from the truth.
They show feelings and struggles in ways that make them seem not quite real like they're just tales spun for the screen.
Take "Modern Love," for instance, where Anne Hathaway gives life to a character who, like me, fights her own battles with mental health.
Watching it, I saw a reflection of my own deepest fear: the dread that my condition might drive my child and everyone close to me away. This isn’t just a storyline; it’s the real worry that whispers to me in the quiet moments.
Depression is extremely hard to write about, even harder to explain to a 13-year-old, because it’s so damned internal.
Depression, with its deep and dark layers, is something movies struggle to get right. It’s not about the tears that can be wiped away or the sadness that fades with the sunrise.
It’s an ongoing battle, one that's fought quietly, away from the eyes of the world. It's tough, really tough, to capture the true essence of something so deeply felt yet invisible.
There are a few gems among the rest, movies that offer a peek into the real struggles and victories of living with mental health issues.
For many Redditors, three stories have turned into a beacon of light and understanding, making the journey through mental health struggles feel less isolating:
“Normal People”
Released in 2020, it takes us through the lives of a young couple, delicately portraying their battles with anxiety and depression. It's in the quiet moments, often overlooked, that the show finds its strength, shedding light on the lesser-seen aspects of mental health struggles.
"What's Eating Gilbert Grape"
The 1993 film dives into the complexities of mental health, not shying away from the gritty reality of living with these conditions.
More than Gilbert's descent into depression or his mother's battle with food addiction, the story is a testament to the resilience of a family navigating the aftermath of profound loss.
“The Father“
A more recent exploration, it delves into the harrowing journey of dementia through Anthony's experience.
As his daughter Anne plans to move to Paris, his world, already unsteady, begins to crumble further, painting a poignant picture of the fragility of memory and reality.
These stories have morphed into more than just films for some Redditors; they are a way to say, "This is what it's like, when we can't find the words ourselves“.