14 TV Shows That Shed Light on How It’s Like To Live With a Mental Illness
From more serious fare, like ‘Sharp Objects,’ to comedies like ‘One Day at a Time’
As television continues to move forward and break ground in terms of storytelling, more and more people are finding that their favorite shows are slowly but surely working their way to reflecting reality more and more. These days, especially after a global reckoning with race and power struggles, it’s no longer chic for media to be apolitical. The shows we watch, even—and perhaps especially—when they epitomize comfort television need to be accountable and responsible when it comes to portraying important topics like queerness, race, and mental health. Today, on World Mental Health Day, we take stock of television shows that paint—or at least try to paint—substantial and authentic portraits of mental health struggles, from substance abuse to depression. If you are sensitive to or are triggered by discussions about certain mental illnesses, please proceed with caution.
TV Shows on Mental Health
TV Shows on Mental Health
This Is Us
This hit family drama follows the Pearson family, from the parents to their children, and the ways in which they all go through personal struggles at different points in their lives. This Is Us has been praised by critics and viewers for the way the show handled anxiety, particularly Randall’s. This Is Us is available on Amazon Prime.
Sharp Objects
Based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, Sharp Objects is centered on crime reporter Camille Preaker’s return to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri to investigate the murder of two young girls. Camille struggles with alcoholism and self-harm, and was recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital prior to the beginning of the show. The series explores her past, her rocky relationship with her mother, and how she copes. Sharp Objects is available on HBO Go.
Atypical
Atypical follows Sam Gardner, an 18-year-old who has autism spectrum disorder, as he goes through the motions of being a teenager, with his family supporting him from the sidelines. While the first season received mostly positive reviews, Atypical was criticized for its lack of autistic actors, which it attempted to remedy in its second season. Atypical is available on Netflix.
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House, a family horror drama anthology, touches on mental illness in a more abstract way than the rest of the shows in this list, but it is perhaps one of the most adept portrayals of mental health on television, ever. Hill House uses horror as a metaphor and as a way to convey the mental health struggles present in the Crain family, but it does so tenderly and lovingly, never at the expense of any of the characters, or of anyone watching that could be going through something similar. The Haunting of Hill House is available on Netflix.
Girls
One of the main characters in Girls, Hannah Horvath, struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The show’s portrayal of the disorder has been praised by viewers, critics, and psychologists alike. Jeff Szymanski of the International OCD Foundation was “pleasantly surprised” upon watching the episode that tackled the disorder. He remarked that Lena Dunham, the show’s creator and star, “did a service not only to herself by letting the world ‘see’ what the struggle looks like, but to the entire OCD community at large by showing some of the pain, stigma, and struggle any person with mental health issues has to endure.” Girls is available on HBO Go.
BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman is a favorite here at Metro.Style, from its smart storylines to its sharp portrayal of mental illness. This adult animated series following the life of a Hollywood has-been offers one of television’s most nuanced portrayals of mental illness, from depression to anxiety. BoJack’s character has often been referred to as “self-destructive” and “narcissistic,” but he is on the road to recovery and is self-aware to know the consequences of his actions. BoJack Horseman is available on Netflix.
Euphoria
Euphoria follows Rue, a 17-year-old drug addict fresh from rehab, and her circle of friends and acquaintances. The show tackles substance abuse and mental illness, ranging from OCD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Sarah Link Ferguson of The Temper has praised the Euphoria’s portrayal of the topics at hand, arguing that it tackles them in a “realistic way.” Euphoria is available on HBO Go.
One Day at a Time
Another favorite at Metro.Style, One Day at a Time is whip-smart, tender, and laugh-out-loud funny, even as episodes focus on heavier topics like racism, religion, depression, and addiction. One Day at a Time’s portrayal of mental health struggles has been praised by critics and viewers alike, whether it’s Penelope’s PTSD and depression from her time in the army or Schneider’s sobriety. One Day at a Time is available on Netflix.
You’re The Worst
You’re The Worst, a dark comedy about two decidedly awful individuals, Gretchen and Jimmy, is on par with BoJack and One Day at a Time when it comes to its portrayal of mental illness. Gretchen is clinically depressed, Jimmy suffers from some form of narcissism, and Edgar, their friend, is also struggling with PTSD after serving in the military. The show handles their conditions with a loving yet self-deprecating touch, but, like Hill House, never at the expense of anyone who might be going through the same thing. You’re The Worst is available on Hulu.
Lady Dynamite
In Lady Dynamite, Maria Bamford depicts her own personal struggles with bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, approaching both conditions in a way that is self-aware. On the show, the disorders are a multi-dimensional experience—they’re not something to be scared of, not something to be stigmatized, but rather something that she is living with. Lady Dynamite is available on Netflix.
United States of Tara
United States of Tara follows the eponymous Tara, an artist and mom coping with dissociative identity disorder (DID). It’s one of the few, if not the only show, dealing with the disorder, and it’s come up to mixed reviews. While the producers consulted with a DID specialist, Rachel McCarthy-James of Bitch Media has lamented that the show doesn’t normalize the condition—something that could possibly be dangerous, because it doesn’t do anything to erase the stigma associated with DID. United States of Tara is available on Hulu.
Parenthood
Parenthood, a precursor to This Is Us, follows the Bravermans, a multi-generational family living in Northern California. One of the grandchildren, Max, is diagnosed with Asperger’s—a storyline inspired by creator Jason Katims’ own son who also has it—and the ways in which he and his family try to cope with the realities of the condition. Viewers have lauded the show for portraying the nuances of Asperger’s, as every storyline that involved Max was treated and handled with such care and supervision. Parenthood is available on Amazon Prime.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend follows Rebecca Bunch, a lawyer who moves from New York to West Covina, California in search of happiness. The show is a compassionate and loving look at someone diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, never portraying Rebecca as either villain or victim. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is available on Netflix.
Black-ish
Black-ish follows the Johnsons, a middle-class family led by Dre and Rainbow. One of the show’s storylines focused on Bow’s postpartum depression, prompted by the birth of her fifth child, DeVante. In an interview with Variety, the show’s executive producer Corey Nickerson said: “We have this great character, a strong, great mom, a successful doctor. Why don’t we try to show women that it’s OK to be dealing with something like this and still be good moms?” Black-ish has been praised by critics, viewers, and parenting magazines for their portrayal of the condition. Black-ish is available on Amazon Prime.
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