Hollywood and The Bigger Picture

[Summer Rose]

My daughter asked me to watch a film with her the other day. It was one of her favourite movies that I had somehow missed called Perks of Being a Wallflower. It was a well scripted, touching, coming of age story that in my opinion dealt sensitively and fairly accurately with mental health and other tricky adolescent issues. My daughter said she loved the film because one of the main characters " is like me".

Like me. The words rolled around in my mind. It occurred to me that there are few film or TV characters that are actually like my beautiful girl, who suffers from anxiety and OCD. It also dawned on me that some of the characters currently on the screen who do have OCD are almost insulting. Take Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, for example. He is a walking, talking billboard for the lighter side of autism and OCD but, in my opinion, his character does nothing to contribute to the community's greater understanding of what these conditions are really like to live with.

I think it's fair to estimate that the global television and movie industry makes billions of dollars annually telling stories about characters with mental health conditions. Oscar winning blockbusters such as, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ordinary People, Silver Linings Playbook and a Beautiful Mind have certainly played a role in raising awareness, but is that enough?

Given that inaccurate film representations of mental illness can profoundly contribute to stigma and the reinforcement of unhelpful stereotypes, does the industry have a community obligation to inform? Or is just entertainment? Or does anything designed to raise awareness do some good? Love to hear what you think.

[Summer Rose]

Hello Mary

I have asked the universe to send you a blessing and I hope it arrives soon. What you have done in writing about your experience being in a public psychiatric hospital takes enormous courage and it is so important. I cannot begin to imagine how confronting that must have been for you and the others in your group. You, my friend, are beyond brave. I just know in my heart that your published words are going to be significant.

My daughter was in a public hospital psych ward at age 13, during the early stages of her battle with OCD. I thought I was handling things okay until the admission nurse, who was rifling through my daughter's belongings, removed a pencil sharpener from my daughter's art bag and confiscated it. The nurse's act was a harsh reminder that my daughter was no longer just my little girl who loved to draw, she was a very unwell patient.

I am also a writer and I have written about many events in my life--the death of my father, the birth of my children and my struggle to learn to walk again after breaking my back. I write so I can remember later how I felt at the time, it's a strange journal of sorts. I could not write about my daughter's three weeks in hospital.

My daughter and I could hardly speak about it until some time had passed. Years later we watched a film that really opened things up. You may have seen it, Girl, Interrupted. The main character in the movie finds herself in a psychiatric hospital following a diagnosis of border line personality disorder. The mental health issues were obviously different (actually a lot was different) but the notion of having your life interrupted in such a traumatic way was the same. Talking about the film brought my daughter and I closer together; it helped us heal.

I thought it was important to share this, as it demonstrates another reason why films that are authentic and more than just entertainment are so important--they can actually help to keep us well.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Pepper

Your critical thinking skills are obviously well developed and I appreciate your passion for greater education in this regard. Thank you for the wonderful reminder that we can all develop and refine these skills and put them to good use.

I wonder if you think it's harder to analyse documentaries? I ask because docos are different to the films we've been discussing in that they are supposed to have an agenda, which is one of the reasons I like their power with regards to telling mental health stories. It's okay to be authentic. It's okay to have a conscience. It's okay to have a moral message. Do you think this is a better tool to convey accurate mental health related information or is too open to message manipulation?

[blondguy]

Hi Summer Rose

I really like your thread and thankyou

One major film I saw prior to my severe anxiety attacks started was 'The Deer Hunter' with Meryl Streep ..Robert De Niro...Christopher Walken. The movie showed the resulting mental illness/effect on men and women in a small community after a period of service in the military overseas.

This 1978 film treated mental illness with respect after a series of traumatic events

Its rated 'R' as its confronting and isnt a film I would watch now as its too heavy going with my depression

Just an example of Hollywood showing mental illness and PTSD without pulling any punches

Its 40 years old....oh my!

Paul

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Summer Rose and all,

Thank you 🙂

Well, I feel critical thinking is just a tool for informed decision making. Informed decision making and exercising (film) consumer power were my main points but I just ended up expanding on certain points.

Yes, sure, everything can be analysed as far as I’m concerned. Nothing is theoretically exempt.

Do you think this (documentaries) is a better tool to convey accurate mental health related information or is too open to message manipulation?

I’m not sure. It depends...

I suppose one key plus is it would theoretically give viewers real life insight into what it’s like to live with mental health issues...including the unglamorous bits that don’t usually make it into movies. So, it’s a “reality check” of sorts for viewers...

To be fair, I feel all films (docos or otherwise) are produced and directed with some sort of agenda; it isn’t necessarily a bad thing either. Agendas can be anything from social conscience/awareness raising to artistic showmanship to telling a story to social commentary to making a lot of money to recognition/winning awards, etc.

I personally feel the problem isn’t so much the doco makers’ agenda but maybe how some people (not all) inherently trust documentaries as a completely valid source of info.

Therefore if there is a very obvious bias, other issues, etc some viewers might risk accidentally missing it due to this trust. Or alternatively, some might be less likely to challenge a point of view presented due to this inherent trust. Granted, I’m not saying this is necessarily the case for all doco viewers of course...

kind thoughts,

Pepper xo

[Just Sara]

Hi Paul;

Thankyou for bringing up 'The Deer Hunter'. It was a very confronting movie as you say and well worth mentioning here. I think if we plough thru the golden oldies and not so oldies, we can find good representations of 'taboo' issues that needed to be talked about.

Social conscience was supported by these types of movies at a time when the Vietnam War was a dicey topic. Great pick up!

Another older movie that strikes a cord is 'My Left Foot' 1987. The main character (Christy Brown 1932-1981) was played by Daniel Day Lewis and also scooped the pool at the Academy Awards.

Christy Brown was an Irish writer and painter who had cerebral-palsy and was able to write, type and paint with the toes of one foot. What struck me was at the end of the movie you got to meet Brown thru an interview. I was stunned it was a biography as the movie seemed beyond normal limits for anyone. (The Irish have been incredibly torn yet stoic throughout history)

I was shocked and mesmerised by its authenticity and the fact that people with cerebral-palsy had normal cognitive ability.

He possessed courage, inner strength, determination and the character to overcome incredible adversity. His story really needed to be told and is well worth seeing.

Sez

[Just Sara]

Hi Pepper;

You're so lucky you were taught critical analysis as in my time at school I wasn't even taught how to summarise a chapter in a book; I had to work it out for myself.

I mentioned self criticism for this reason; using 'innate' skills destructively. I had an insatiable mind for learning, but it wasn't guided or recognised. What's the point of teaching a regulatory syllabus to a generation of kids who're all different?

I understand what you're saying, but each kid has individual needs and skills. Trying to place everyone in the same basket's the problem in my view; it doesn't matter what the requirements are, that's more about politics.

In my day it was 'streaming' that killed my academic future. I was put in classes due to my socio-economic status and 'set' annual test results at 'that' level and was never challenged to see what I was really capable of. It still goes on today which I find absolutely disgusting.

When I finally was put up into a higher grade, I was 2 yrs behind others in that class. No support or transition; it tore me to pieces and made me feel dumber than I already thought I was. I've blamed myself for this all my life; it still makes me cry.

I had to work out for myself that I was smart 15 yrs later. IMO, individualised case management style teaching needs to occur for some more than others. Yeah I know, money and staff are required, but wouldn't it be more beneficial to the kids themselves?

Sigh.. I'm sorry; this issue's close to my heart. Looking at my past and knowing if someone had recognised what I possessed and run with it properly, my life could've been different.

H x H's;

Sez xo

Apologies Summer and everyone else for going off topic.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Summer Rose, Sez and all;

Sez: Um...are you okay?

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for my reply(ies) to elicit such a strong emotional response in you. I must admit that I have been writing more from a detached perspective than an emotional one; like a detached observer...I originally posted mostly to bring up the role of the consumer when it comes to influencing the types of films we see on mental health but then other topics came up...I’m sorry, I’m not meaning to upset you or cause you pain.

Yes, I hear what you’re saying. Sure, ideally, education would cater to students’ individual needs. But given current funding and staffing limitations, as you said, this might be difficult to achieve.

I feel the closest to what you’re suggesting in Australia might be Montessori schools (I think most states have them?) that are renowned for a more nurturing approach and focus on students’ individual needs. I don’t know if that’s actually the case but that’s their reputation.

Although they tend to be very expensive private/independent schools. Maybe there’s something that other schools and public schools can learn from Montessori schools all around Australia...

Sigh, I know you’re a highly intelligent person, and I know it hurts you to reflect on your untapped potential when you were younger. The education system in your day, and your school in particular, really hurt you in so many ways.

If it helps in the slightest, and I don’t say this to minimise your experiences and sense of loss, you know you’re smart now. Yes, it doesn’t make up for lost time but you can use your hurts, traumas, etc from your past to help people. Like on these forums.

And You’re doing a wonderful job.

Sending a loving a hug and a white lily.

Sometimes, I can get heavily into analytical/problem solving mode so I detach from my own emotions when writing especially if film, books, etc are brought up.

Love, H x H’s

Pepper xoxo

Summer Rose: Thanks for your patience 🙂 sorry, I don’t want to derail the conversation so maybe I’ll put up your latest question:

Do you think this (documentaries) is a better tool to convey accurate mental health related information or is too open to message manipulation?

Pepper 🙂

[Just Sara]

Dear Pepper;

I only have a moment as the laptop needs charging. I'm sorry again as I know your intent/msg wasn't near what I mentioned.

I left my thoughts in to show how what we see/hear/experience can trigger personal stuff; not necessarily how non sufferers might feel when watching content about MH thru media. I just didn't have space or emotional ability to do it then.

Hope you understand. Please don't feel bad; the Universe's nose knows! 🙂 It's all for the greater good..

Sez xoxo

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Sez,

Thank you 🙂 That was reassuring. I was worried that maybe I should have responded more emotionally rather than as a detached observer/analytical perspective.

I hope your laptop recharges soon and just keep doing the great stuff you do on and offline. thanks for blessing us with your wisdom and words.

H x H’s,

Pepper xoxo

Summer Rose: Sorry, thanks again for your patience 🙂

I’ll quote one of your earlier comments to (hopefully) help you out:

For anyone else out there who is maybe time poor but interested in joining in, we are discussing the intersection of mental health and the film and TV industries. We are looking at the good and the bad of how film/TV can impact stigma, which films/shows work in our opinion and why or why not, the use of humour as a creative device, the power of documentaries--all things mental health and film. Join us if this theme resonates with you.

Thank you 🙂

Pepper xo

[Summer Rose]

Hi Paul

I also want to thank you for your recall of The Deer Hunter. I think I would describe that film as "emotionally shattering". Seeing it was my first introduction to PTSD; I'd never heard of it before. Like you, I can't believe it was 40 years ago!

I think this film is a great example of when Hollywood gets it right. An accurate depiction of a mental health condition, a gripping story about three mates heading off to the politically charged Vietnam war and great acting.

I think Born on the Fourth of July is another film, keeping with the Vietnam theme, that does a great job depicting mental illness. Thoughts anyone?