Representation of Mental Disorders in Films
Throughout the past centuries, the use of media is increasing rapidly. Mass media took part as an educational role where public would search for information in regard to mental health-related issues in media. As media is one of the most significant sources of information for the public, it plays the role in shaping the public’s perceptions and attitudes on mental health problems. It was found that more than 50% of individuals learn about mental illnesses from television including movies and television series.
Are the portrayal of mental illnesses in film a myth or fact?
It is rather unfortunate to say that a great amount of characters with mental health issues pictured in films were relatively negative and inaccurate as compared to real individuals with mental health problems. Regardless if it was in the olden or present days, individuals with mental health issues were often painted as dangerous, violent, or someone who is not a productive member of the society; and were usually the antagonist (e.g., serial killers/murderers) in films such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Split, Joker etc. Despite the rise in mental health awareness around the globe, the stigmas have been the same. In fact, the statistics of real crimes in the United States reported that more than 90% of individuals who committed crimes were not mentally ill.
Negative Impacts of Inaccurate Portrayals in Films
Impacts to Public – Public Stigmas:
Those negative concepts portrayed in film would form the negative public stigma towards mental illnesses and reinforce the feeling of fear for individuals with mental disorders. Public may picture individuals with mental health issues to be a failure. Gradually, it would contribute to a society that has lower acceptance towards individuals with mental health issues. These misconceptions in films would restrain the public from thoroughly understanding mental health problems.
Impacts to Individuals with Mental Health Issues – Self-stigmas & Worsening of Conditions:
At the same time, self-stigma would be shaped within individuals with mental health issues that would greatly worsen their condition. Their self-esteem may be lowered, and the sense of shame, isolation, and failure would slowly set in. Individuals with mental health issues would feel like an outcast of the society, and potentially reducing their help-seeking behaviours. Moreover, watching movies that project characters with suicidal thoughts and ideation will worsen the mood of individuals without existing mental health issues. In 13 Reasons Why, suicide was projected as the only solution for the character – Hannah to fight bullying in school. However, it is crucial to note that, individuals who already had suicidal thoughts and ideation have greater risks in increasing their suicidal behaviours and thoughts after watching films with such portrayals. Research also demonstrated that portrayals of suicide can have contagious effect, causing a higher rate of suicidal behaviours after watching the film. Therefore, viewers should watch such films with caution as it could lead to detrimental effects.
How can YOU play a part in reducing mental health stigmas?
As seen, inaccurate or negative portrayals of mental illnesses in films could bring detrimental effects on individuals with or without mental health issues rather than accurately educating about mental health to the public. Viewers should also understand that a single character in film is insufficient to project the variety of differences and conditions of a mental disorder. In another words, individuals with even the same type of mental disorder can be very different. Notably, fictional characters should not be a representation of real life individuals with mental health issues.
Tips to learn more about mental disorders:
- Research – where facts challenges the myths of mental health-related issues
- Engaging in a conversation with individuals who previously or currently experiencing mental health struggles – Personal engagements would override one’s understanding of mental health problems from films. This would also allow individuals facing mental health struggles to know that the society is still working to truly understand their struggles and they are not alone.
- It is also always encouraged to seek for professionals’ (e.g., clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors) if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues.
Author: Hong Kah Kay (Intern)
References
da Rosa, G. S., Andrades, G. S., Caye, A., Hidalgo, M. P., de Oliveira, M. A. B., & Pilz, L. K. (2019). Thirteen Reasons Why: The impact of suicide portrayal on adolescents’ mental health. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 108, 2–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.10.018
Figueroa, G. A. (2018). Mental Illness Stigma: A Literature Review on Intervention Methods. The Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology at UCLA, 5.
Hanley, E. (2015). Perception of Mental Illness Based Upon its Portrayal in Film.
Nordahl-Hansen, A., Tøndevold, M., & Fletcher-Watson, S. (2018). Mental health on screen: A DSM-5 dissection of portrayals of autism spectrum disorders in film and TV. Psychiatry Research, 262, 351–353.
Röhm, A., Hastall, M. R., & Ritterfeld, U. (2017). How movies shape Students’ attitudes toward individuals with schizophrenia: an exploration of the relationships between entertainment experience and stigmatization. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(3), 193–201.
Smith, B. (2015). Mental illness stigma in the media. The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research, 16(1), 50–63.