3+ Great TV Shows That Discuss Mental Health

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Mental health is a huge issue in the modern world, and it is slowly starting to feature in current TV shows, films and books.

I think it’s great to see mental health take centre stage. For too long, those who struggle with issues such as anxiety, stress and depression have not been recognised.

It can only help to see characters on screen that represent our own thoughts, experiences and struggles.

In this blog post, I want to talk about 3+ great TV shows that discuss mental health. From comedies to family dramas, these shows look at the wide range of conditions many people face every single day. I hope you find your next watch!

1. ‘This is Us’

‘This is Us’ follows the Pearson triplets, looking at their lives as adults, as well as travelling back to their childhood. It tells the story of their relationship with their parents, partners, friends and with each other.

One of the triplets, Randall, deals with anxiety throughout the show. In flashbacks, we see him needing to control everything as a child, and he experiences anxiety attacks when studying for exams as a teenager.

He also struggles with perfectionism, and we see this throughout his young life, as well as when he’s grown-up with children too.

‘This is Us’ provides an honest representation of his stress, anxiety and eventual mental breakdown.

It’s great to see a TV show that highlights the way stress and high expectations can affect someone, and how Randall looks after his mental health.

2. ‘Jessica Jones’

‘Jessica Jones’ is a popular TV show based on the Marvel character. She is an ex-superhero, now a private investigator with her own detective agency.

The TV show accurately portrays Jessica’s struggle with past trauma, including representation of her intrusive thoughts and trust issues.

This helps to bring attention to post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as highlighting that a character who is strong and capable can still struggle with their mental health everyday.

3. ‘You’re the Worst’

‘You’re the Worst’ is a black comedy-drama, following two complicated characters and their attempt to create a relationship together. Both of these characters bring their own problems, with the viewer following lots of ups and downs throughout the show.

In this TV show, various mental health conditions are brought to light, such as PTSD and clinical depression.

One of the characters in the show, Edgar, experiences PTSD after spending time in the armed forces. We can see an accurate depiction of his struggle to find help within the system.

4. ‘Normal People’

Available on BBC iPlayer, ‘Normal People’ follows two young people who fall in and out of love.

Connell, the male lead in the show, struggles with depression, including feelings of loss after a close friend commits suicide.

The show represents his experience of depression in a unique way, calling attention to common symptoms for many people also struggling. We see Connell disengage with the world around him, experiencing panic attacks before seeking help.

This is an important step in the right direction, showing people across the world that help is out there if you need it- and there’s nothing wrong with getting help when you need it.

Do you watch any TV shows that discuss mental health? What is your favourite TV show? Let me know in the comments!

Take care everyone x