Change the Norm: How Modern Film Can Challenge Mental Health Stigmas

Change the norm by challenging mental health stereotypes

Against the norms

As society continues to make progress dismantling stereotypes associated with mental health, today’s screenwriters and filmmakers have the unique opportunity to play a role in these public discussions.

Modern films can work to undo fictionalized narratives surrounding mental health concerns which its predecessors set; by restricting misinformation, discouraging mental health's villainization, and accurately depicting mental health, the film industry strives to change the norm by challenging the narrative.

Combating Mental Health Rumors

In the digital era, misinformation runs ramped. Filmmakers must take intentional steps to ensure they are not feeding the stream. Past movies and series have been notorious in misrepresenting mental health—providing a character with vague descriptions of an ill-defined diagnosis, or, in some cases, inventing a lawless and unrecognized mental health ailment to explain away a character’s actions.

In continuation, prescription drugs are often portrayed in dark, angst-ridden scenes, and leave the character with unlikely and irrational side-effects, giving audiences an ill-informed perception of treatment options for mental illnesses. By creating films that refuse to feed these false narratives, screenwriters can prevent further misinformation from spreading.

Exonerating Characters in Film

It might sound intuitive, but attaching a mental illness to a villain character—as was done often in 20th century films—villainizes mental health. Today, scripts can challenge the villainizing of mental illnesses by writing dynamic, multi-dimensional characters who are primarily people, not simply walking ailments.

By conducting research beforehand, writers can create characters who do not depend on mental health alone to carry a storyline and can reduce the thematic use of mental illnesses as a “shock value.” Villains ought to have bad characteristics—of course, they are villainous—but if these attributes can be diagnosed, the writer has the responsibility to not use mental illnesses as the sole cause of their villain-ship.

In other words, taking the time to develop each character’s story, so that viewers are not left to draw a subconscious conclusion that mental illnesses must lead to villainous tendencies.

Telling the Truth About Mental Health

In depicting mental health accurately, films can invite audiences to humanize mental health and remain educated in the conversation. It would be a mistake to avoid mental illnesses in films; rather, it is to the writers’ advantage to deposit the proper research and care into their mental health themes. Filmmakers who do not shy from mental health discussion can promote necessary understanding, empathy, and connection.

Viewers living with mental illnesses may find themselves in movies without experiencing further shame or pressure. Furthermore, audience members might find their previously harbored prejudices challenged.

Our takeaways

By challenging stereotypes, modern films are changing what’s expected. Limiting misinformation, writing complex characters, and telling the truth about mental health works in the favor of creators and consumers. It is our responsibility on both sides of production to respect others and inspire growth—why else should film move us?

Keywords: Modern Film, Film, Mental health, Mental illnesses, Stereotypes

Article by Rachel Krause