Enfnts Terribles

Before we get to the list, we want to explain a bit more about romanticizing mental illness.

Mental Illness Isn’t an Aesthetic

By romanticizing something we typically mean that mental illness is made more aesthetically or more appealing than it is. Consequences or downsides of illness are often ignored, which may give the impression that having a mental disorder is interesting to have. Take a look at the last episode of season one of 13 Reasons Why, for example, Hannah Baker, the main character, killed herself on screen. The scene made it seem very peaceful like it didn’t hurt at all. But that’s not how it is in real life. Even though the scene has now been removed from the show, it had a big impact on its viewers.

A wrong portrayal of mental illness can affect viewers negatively. Mostly viewers that are already struggling with their mental health or have a predisposition towards it. They’ll try to be like the people in the shows. A prime example is Effy Stonem from Skins.

Skins followed a group of British teenagers and dealt with subjects like depression, eating disorders, drug abuse, and death. Girls from all around the world wanted to be like Effy: they changed their wardrobe to all black, wore smeared eyeliner, and started acting as destructively as Effy did. They started to harm themselves because they thought that was what they were supposed to do. The British show never let their viewers know that this behavior was destructive, as Effy didn’t face any consequences, not until the later seasons. Different boys fell for her and wanted to fix her, which seemed romantic. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

Our Favorites

Because there are still lots of series and movies out there that handle this subject the wrong way, we wanted to make things easier for you. We sum up movies and shows that, according to us, depict mental illness well.

Keep in mind that every movie affects every viewer differently. Think about your own mental health when watching any of these because they might be triggering.

2. Please Like Me

The Australian TV series Please Like Me from 2013 is written by Josh Thomas. Thomas also plays the lead actor in the series. It follows 20-year-old Josh whose life drastically changes when his girlfriend breaks up with him because she thinks he’s gay. Josh’s mother attempted suicide and failed, which results in Josh moving back in with her to look out for her. The series touches different subjects like self-discovery, depression, and suicide.

The show is an emotional rollercoaster that makes you laugh and cry. Please Like Me explores realistic issues with humorous tones and is definitely a must-watch.

4. Bojack Horseman

The American adult animated series Bojack Horseman (2014-2020) has received critical acclaim for their portrayal of mental illness. The show follows Bojack Horseman (voiced by Will Arnett).

Horseman was a famous TV star in the ’90s, but twenty years later, he’s a depressed alcoholic. We follow him as he tries to get his life back on the rails. Even though the series is animated and uses characters that don’t exist, the series depicts depression, addiction, and trauma very realistically.

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or are in need of a conversation, you can reach out to a suicide hotline in your country via www.suicidestop.com.