Top 12 Films & Documentaries to Watch in Honour of Mental Health Day!

Although we have recognised how important our mental health is, there’s still a stigma surrounding the topic and it can be hard to ask people who are suffering from different types of mental health illnesses what they’re going through.. so, we’ve put together a list of films/documentaries that we think will give you a deeper insight into how dealing with mental health issues really is 🧠🙏🏼

Disclaimer: Mentions of Depression, Eating Disorders, Suicide

Alien Boy: The Life & Death Of James Chasse

Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse, is about a man named who had schizophrenia and was allegedly attacked by three Portland police officers. The attack resulted in the death of Chasse and led to the family suing the city of Portland. The documentary sheds light on how people with mental health disorders can be treated by law enforcement officers who aren’t properly trained.

Simply Complicated (2017)

Demi Lovato opens up about her struggles with mental health, substance abuse, self-esteem, and stardom. She may be a celebrity, but many of the pressures she describes experiencing are relatable.

Kingdom of Us (2017)

An extraordinary insight into a family coming to terms with suicide. Paul Shanks attempted suicide in 2007, leaving behind wife Vikie, six daughters, and a son. Explaining life now through the family’s reflections, it’s intricately punctuated with home videos shot by Paul that capture the gregarious, fun-loving dad, as well as moments of his severe depression.

A Beautiful Mind (2002)

This movie creates a timeline of John Nash’s life that begins when he enters graduate school at Princeton to study mathematics were the early symptoms of schizophrenia begin to appear and continues into the later parts of his life such as when he won the Nobel Prize while still dealing with his disability.

As the timeline progresses, so does the schizophrenia which is made worse by John’s supposed work pertaining to the military. By analyzing key scenes from the movie, we can get a glimpse into the lifelong struggles that someone with a disability such as schizophrenia will go through.

To the Bone (2017)

The painful story of a young woman struggling with anorexia nervosa. Thus, she bounces from one recovery program to another. Indeed, the eating disorder hijacks her entire life.

Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018)

This moving documentary chronicles the rise of actor/comedian Robin Williams, shedding light on his struggles with mental health and addiction, which developed before he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Will Hunting, a genius in mathematics, solves all the difficult mathematical problems. When he faces an emotional crisis, he takes help from psychiatrist Dr Sean Maguireto, who helps him recover.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Charlie, a 15-year-old introvert, enters high school and is nervous about his new life. When he befriends his seniors, he learns to cope with his friend’s suicide and his tumultuous past.

Into the Wild (2007)

Christopher McCandless, a young graduate, decides to renounce all his possessions and hitchhike across America. During his journey, he encounters several situations which change him as a person.

Horse Girl (2020)

Damaged by her mother’s suicide, a young, introverted woman suffers from paranoid delusions. Losing time and sleepwalking, her connection to reality is fractured by past traumas.

Brain on Fire (2017)

A successful young journalist finds her life upended when mental illness takes over her waking thoughts. Struggling to hold on, she manages to fight back and find a path to eventual recovery.

The Disaster Artist (2017)

Caught in a vice of delusion and grandiosity, an enigmatic stranger backs, directs, and stars in what is considered the worst movie ever made.

Trending NOW