Mental Health
Reviews

TV, Thriller, Netflix Joshua Stanley TV, Thriller, Netflix Joshua Stanley

Dept. Q

Dept. Q falters in portraying mental health realistically, especially around long-term trauma and PTSD. The series glosses over the complexities of recovering from such events, implying instant resolution upon release.

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TV, Comedy-Drama, Netflix Joshua Stanley TV, Comedy-Drama, Netflix Joshua Stanley

Master of None

Master of None covers mental health with a mix of humor and sensitivity. While early seasons used mental health more as comic relief, the final season takes a genuine turn, focusing on real issues. The portrayal, though uneven, still adds depth to its characters' journeys.

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TV, Comedy-Drama, Hulu Joshua Stanley TV, Comedy-Drama, Hulu Joshua Stanley

High Fidelity

High Fidelity shines in its exploration of emotional wellness through intricate storytelling. It effectively depicts the ups and downs of mental health, though it leans heavily on relationships as the sole factor in wellbeing, missing a more holistic mental health representation.

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TV, Comedy-Drama, HBO Max Joshua Stanley TV, Comedy-Drama, HBO Max Joshua Stanley

Insecure

Insecure stands out for its candid and nuanced portrayal of mental health. The show doesn’t shy away from difficult moments, promoting understanding and empathy, even if it occasionally slips into stereotypes. Overall, it’s a strong advocate for mental health awareness.

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TV, Drama, Hulu Joshua Stanley TV, Drama, Hulu Joshua Stanley

Looking for Alaska

Looking For Alaska excels in its portrayal of mental health, capturing the raw intricacies of depression and grief with care and realism. Characters are treated with depth, avoiding stereotypes while exploring their vulnerabilities.

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Film, Documentary, Netflix Joshua Stanley Film, Documentary, Netflix Joshua Stanley

13th

13th doesn't focus solely on mental health but provides a broader perspective on systemic discrimination and its consequences, offering viewers a deep understanding of social justice issues without falling into stereotypes.

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Film, Drama, Netflix Joshua Stanley Film, Drama, Netflix Joshua Stanley

Come Sunday

Come Sunday touches on emotional turmoil and crisis of faith, portraying the psychological impacts of ostracism and self-doubt. It doesn’t dive deep into mental health themes but sensitively acknowledges them, providing a respectful depiction of Pearson’s inner struggles and eventual resilience.

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Film, Documentary, Universal Joshua Stanley Film, Documentary, Universal Joshua Stanley

Catfish

Catfish enlightens viewers on the emotional struggles faced by individuals who create false personas, highlighting their vulnerability and need for connection. The film fosters empathy and understanding, making it a vital conversation starter about mental illness.

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TV, Comedy, NBC Joshua Stanley TV, Comedy, NBC Joshua Stanley

Parks and Recreation

While Parks and Rec touches on mental health themes, it doesn’t dive deep. The portrayal often leans toward light-hearted and comedic rather than realistic or educational.

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TV, Dark Comedy, Apple TV+ Joshua Stanley TV, Dark Comedy, Apple TV+ Joshua Stanley

Bad Sisters

While Bad Sisters provides an engaging narrative, its mental health portrayal leaves a lot to be desired. The series defaults to violence as a response to abuse, offering little in terms of constructive mental health dialogues

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TV, Reality, HBO Max Joshua Stanley TV, Reality, HBO Max Joshua Stanley

The Hype

While The Hype isn't primarily focused on mental health, it does touch on personal challenges faced by contestants. It doesn’t perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also stops short of offering in-depth insights, reflecting a middle-ground portrayal that’s more mindful than typical reality TV.

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TV, Reality, Netflix Joshua Stanley TV, Reality, Netflix Joshua Stanley

Rhythm & Flow

While it avoids deep dives into mental health issues, participants' backstories provide some insight into real-life pressures and stress. It’s slightly above neutral in portrayal due to its genuine depiction of emotional experiences tied to competition, albeit without an explicit mental health focus.

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TV, Gangster, HBO Max Joshua Stanley TV, Gangster, HBO Max Joshua Stanley

The Sopranos

The show offers a surprisingly authentic portrayal of mental health, particularly through Tony’s therapy sessions with Dr. Melfi. It displays the messy realities of therapy without sugar-coating or overly dramatizing.

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Film, Drama, HBO Max Joshua Stanley Film, Drama, HBO Max Joshua Stanley

The Fallout

The Fallout excels in portraying mental health with an impressive depth and sensitivity. Characters navigate anxiety and depression in a manner that feels genuine, avoiding clichés.

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TV, Comedy, NBC Joshua Stanley TV, Comedy, NBC Joshua Stanley

The Office

The Office is a beloved classic that revolutionized TV comedy with its quirky characters and relatable office antics, it flounders in how it presents mental health topics.

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TV, Comedy, STARZ Joshua Stanley TV, Comedy, STARZ Joshua Stanley

Party Down

Party Down had some clever attempts to depict the struggles of creative folks chasing their dreams, the overarching theme of hopelessness in Henry's life left us feeling a bit downbeat.

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Film, Drama, HBO Max Joshua Stanley Film, Drama, HBO Max Joshua Stanley

We Own This City

We Own This City shines a light on the inner turmoil and struggles of some characters, it often leans heavily toward portraying these issues as inevitable tragic outcomes with no real hope.

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Film, Action, Universal Joshua Stanley Film, Action, Universal Joshua Stanley

Monkey Man

Monkey Man is deeply embedded in myth, which means it doesn't aim to modernize or accurately depict mental health issues, violence is presented as the primary response for the characters.

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