Mental health is a subject that some may find hard to tackle, but that doesn’t mean we lack the resources to learn about it. Available at our fingertips, Netflix has a wealth shows about mental health that take on pretty heavy representations of this prevalent issue.
So if you’re looking for something new to watch while gaining an understanding of the human psyche a little better, here are 4 Netflix movies and shows about mental health you need to watch ASAP:
Take ‘13 Reasons Why‘ for example: I’m not sure if the show is spreading awareness or it just makes you feel depressed even when you’re not. But regardless of everything, all these shows and movies are entertaining as hell and we want more of these. So if you are looking for movies that shed light on the subject, then you’ve come to right place.
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1. Never Have I Ever – a teenage girl deals with grief
Never Have I Ever is a heartwarming and relatable story of how conservative families come to terms with taboo subjects like grief. The family struggles to manage their fraught relationships while learning to cope with their grief after the main character Devi loses her father to a sudden heart attack.
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The show explores this grim topic through Devi’s goofy and comedic antics throughout a typical American high school life. Here, we see it all masked by her trying her best to seek affirmation from her schoolmates and snag a hot new boyfriend.
What we can learn: Similar to how Devi’s best friend Eleanor declared “in protest, I shan’t use my legs either”, we should lend emotional support to those who need it.
IMDb: 8.0/10
2. The Umbrella Academy – childhood trauma in adulthood
As we grow older, we come to realise how important siblings can be in our lives, however infuriating they are sometimes. The Umbrella Academy explores the relationships between 7 estranged siblings with a twist – superpowers.
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wednesday dragging me out of bed while my alarm clock watches
These siblings reunite to solve the mystery of their father’s death and save the world from an impending apocalypse. In doing so, they struggle to come to terms with the emotional abuse they suffered at the hands of their adoptive father during their adolescent years.
What we can learn: Whether or not we’re dealing with trauma, it’s healthy to leave the past behind and to appreciate the present.
IMDb: 7.9/10
3. Russian Doll – coming to terms with emotional abuse
If you are into Inception-esque shows that mess with your concept of time and space – Russian Doll is for you. Following the lives of Nadia and Alan who are stuck in a time loop, this dark comedy defies expectations with its nuanced portrayals of mental health issues and delves into how each character goes through a journey of self-discovery.
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The time loop they are trapped in makes for a pretty accurate analogy of how trauma recovery is like for those who are suffering from it. Only when they are able to accept and bring closure to their experiences are they able to move on.
What we can learn: Emotionally abusive people tend to be the ones in need of the most help.
IMDb: 7.9/10
4. Bojack Horseman – a self-deprecating horse with depression
If you enjoy adult animated sitcoms like The Simpsons and Rick and Morty, Bojack Horseman should be right up your alley. Unlike your typical feel-good show where it’s a happy ending for the main protagonist, this washed-up humanoid horse from a 1990s sitcom goes through repeated failures while figuring out how to become relevant again.
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lets be real this is more of a casserole than pizza but im into it thanx chicago
This 6-season series on Netflix has received critical acclaim for its unfiltered take on depression and anxiety. The episode “Stupid Piece of S**t” has been praised for its realistic take on the self-destructive behaviour that many people suffering from depression have.
What we can learn: Though we should lend our support to sufferers of mental illnesses, it’s as important to hold them accountable for toxic and harmful actions. Suffering from mental illness does not absolve you from taking responsibility for your own actions
IMDb: 8.7/10
What will you be Watching tonight?