Stigma squashing: Illuminating films about mental health

Later this year, season three of 13 Reasons Why returns to our screens and we couldn’t be more excited. With this in mind, here are eight movies centered around mental health that paved the way for shedding some healthy light on this complex topic.

Girl, Interrupted

Based on the memoir by Susanna Kaysen, the film gave us a fascinating insight into an all female 60s mental institution.

The Babadook

While terrifying, this independent Australian horror was also interesting in that it was perceived as a metaphor for a mother consumed with grief from the death of her husband.

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Tilda Swinton (Doctor Strange) stars as a mother dealing with the fallout of a terrifying incident involving her disturbed teenage son.

As Good as it Gets

Relatively undiscussed at the time, this romantic drama helped to shine a light on the stigma of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Boy A

This jarring British drama stars the then almost unknown Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) as Jack – a young man living a new identity following violent crimes committed as minor.

Jacob’s Ladder

Returning from the Vietnam war, Jacob returns to his normal life, only to be terrorized by flashbacks and strange visions seemingly off the back of his experiences of war.

Head Full of Honey

German directors Til Schweiger (Atomic Blonde) and Lars Gmehling (Snowden) bring to us a touching drama about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the sufferers and their families.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Traditionally a Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life follows a man contemplating suicide who is shown by an angel named Clarence what life would be like without him.

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If you or someone you know is looking for support with their mental health, consider counseling from BetterHelp.