With the UK in its third lockdown in less than a year, many of us are turning to television to keep us entertained during the long, dark evenings.
Our viewing habits have changed considerably in the last 12 months, with TV channels and streaming services becoming a lifeline for a country stuck inside with a dwindling number of things to do. The average UK household now watches five hours more television a week compared to the previous year – with shows such as Love Is Blind, Tiger King and Bridgerton becoming instant binge-worthy classics.
With the small screen becoming an increasingly important to many of us, it is all the more essential that its depictions of mental health are realistic and accurate. While not every programme nails mental health depiction entirely, we have come leaps and bounds from the tired tropes and cliches about mental illness we have previously seen. Now, more than ever, shows that depict mental health appropriately should be praised and celebrated – particularly as the country faces one of its biggest mental health crises yet.
1. BoJack Horseman (Netflix)
It may primarily be a cartoon about anthropomorphic animals that aims to lampoon and parody popular culture, but BoJack Horseman offers some of the most nuanced and realistic portrayals of mental health.
The series follows the washed-up and self-destructive actor BoJack Horseman, who finds his star suddenly on the rise after his sitcom Horsin’ Around is cancelled. Horseman finds himself relying on sex, drugs and alcohol to be his crutches as he shirks away from confronting his destructive mental state. Episodes such as Stupid Piece of S*** and The View From Halfway Down have been widely praised for depicting spiralling mental illness and being able to vocalise issues many suffering from depression and anxiety have struggled with.
Diane is another character whose struggles with depression are the focus of the final season. She is seen spiralling into self-doubt, and struggles to reconcile her current issues with her childhood trauma. However, there is a somewhat happy ending in BoJack Horseman, in that both characters recognise their issues and start to accept themselves for who they are – a somewhat positive conclusion for those with their own mental battles who could be watching.
2. Normal People
Normal People was an international hit and essential lockdown viewing when it was released in April last year. Exploring many important themes in its 12 episode run, such as loneliness, consent and teenage love, it’s the final three episodes of the season that have won universal praise for its depiction of mental health.
Paul Mescal plays Connell’s breakdown to perfection as he grapples with the loss of one of his school friends through suicide. It’s a subtle depiction of depression, and steers clear of cliches and tropes.
Connell’s breakdown is gradual, as we see him withdraw and disengage with his friends and girlfriend. After he suffers from a number of debilitating panic attacks, he’s advised to visit a therapist – which sees him acknowledge his turmoil head-on.
It’s a particularly powerful scene to see Connell break down, as it helps dismantle the damaging stereotype of the “strong, silent” man with a “stiff upper lip”. At least one in eight men in England are thought to have mental health problems, and so it is all the more important we see men acknowledge their vulnerability on screen.
3. Pure
A vastly underrated series, Pure follows 24-year-old Marnie who suffers from an incredibly rare form of OCD, known as Pure O. Unlike the schema of OCD that often manifests as compulsive handwashing or doing things in patterns, Pure O sees Marnie have a number of powerful intrusive thoughts about hugely inappropriate subjects – like sex, violence and murder.
Marnie, who repeatedly has intrusive thoughts about sex, finds herself having to run away from home when her Pure O starts to have an impact on her family. It could be played for cheap laughs and silly scenes, but the distress Marnie feels is palpable – as well as the relief she feels when she’s diagnosed.
4. Jessica Jones
The numerous television programmes and films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are often dismissed as silly and frivolous superhero pulp, but its Netflix noir series, Jessica Jones, tackles mental health and PTSD head on.
She speaks honestly and openly about how her rape at the hands of Kilgrave has hugely influenced her behaviours. When she manages to escape from his clutches and subsequent influence over her, she finds herself withdrawing from others, using alcohol as a coping strategy and engaging in reckless, destructive behaviours.
As it’s a show with superheroes at its heart, many scenes are dramatized for effect, but the show’s unflinching portrayal of how women experience sexual assault and trauma is otherwise spot on – and a huge departure from Marvel’s usual efforts which wrap up trauma with humour.
5. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
It may be a show which is grounded in humour, but Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has been applauded for its accurate portrayal in Borderline Personality Disorder.
While the opening few episodes introduce Rachel Bunch in bouncy, technicolour musical numbers, it’s clear that there’s something not quite right – mainly due to her obsession with her ex. However, as the series progresses, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend documents Rachel’s depression and anxiety, seeing her diagnosed with BPD.
While its depiction of a suicide attempt is potentially quite triggering and maybe poorly intended, what the show can be praised for is Rachel’s emotional state following her trauma. We see her grapple with the guilt of her choices, as well as what happens when she seeks help.
6. Jesy Nelson – Odd One Out
The hugely powerful documentary saw former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson speak candidly about the abuse she suffered at the hands of cyberbullies and her subsequent fragile mental health state.
The devastating impact of trolling and bullying stemmed body dysmorphic disorder in the star, who said she had previously been happy and confident in herself – and ultimately culminated in the singer attempting suicide in 2013.
From Jesy’s mum yearning for her old daughter back before her X Factor success, to her bandmates at a loss of how to bring back the fire and passion they miss in their friend, it’s clear that the star is not the same person she was pre-X Factor, and really highlights how your mental health can wreak havoc on every aspect of your wellbeing.
7. Nadiya: Anxiety And Me
The Bake Off star looks at the hugely prevalent phenomenon of generalised anxiety disorder in the UK – which is thought to affect more than eight million people in the UK.
While she hadn’t previously had an official diagnosis, Nadiya explained honestly: “That feeling of worry is always there. I might appear happy and relaxed but it’s not how I feel.
“A panic attack makes me feel like I’m going to die. Imagine spending your whole life thinking you are going to die every single day.”
The documentary, which received four and five star reviews, was particularly admired for Nadiya’s candour. By using her Bake Off celebrity profile, she raised awareness of something that has previously had such a stigma attacked, and will help those also suffering from anxiety feel less alone.
8. Peaky Blinders
Tommy Shelby and the rest of the blinders have enthralled the nation with their cut-throat demeanour, and intimidating allure.
However, while we see Tommy face a number of menacing gang leaders and adversaries, the true evil in this series stems from Tommy’s fragile mental state.
During the last two seasons of Peaky Blinders, Tommy’s unwavering personality is privately dominated by thoughts of suicide, depression and self-secluded turmoil – and not even his usual vices can alleviate his increasing pain.
Although the two shows could not be any more different, Peaky Blinders is similar to Normal People as both Tommy and Connell face their own struggle. While Connell gets professional help, we see Tommy continue to suffer but aims to maintain a steadfast and strong exterior. His battle with mental health, and the hugely negative effect it has as he struggles to stay strong, could encourage those watching at home to reach out as a reminder they do not have to suffer alone.
9. Louis Theroux
The first few seasons of his documentaries are more point and laugh rather than entirely informative, but as Louis Theroux’s filming style matured, his later series are a deeply insightful if not somewhat painful exploration of mental illness. Talking to Anorexia, his 2017 film, spends time in two of London’s largest eating disorder facilities to meet individuals with anorexia – with some deep in the vice grip in the dangerous psychiatric disorder.
His Mothers On The Edge documentary, which looks at specialist psychiatric units which treat mothers experiencing serious mental illness, is another harrowing watch, shedding light on the lesser-known post-natal psychosis and the damning effects it can have on otherwise healthy mothers.
10. Bodyguard
It was the six week spine-chilling thriller that set the nation on edge in 2018, but it wasn’t necessarily who was guilty of the terrorist plot to murder Julia Montague that captured our attention. It was the final few scenes of the show, in which David Budd calmly announces: “I need some help,” when it comes to his mental health.
The former serviceman had been grappling with his PTSD throughout the series, and his recognition that he needed treatment was particularly powerful before he is sent spiralling even further.
In a show that was just so hugely popular during its run, it was all the more vital that scene was included – and could have encouraged others to seek treatment.
11. The Queen’s Gambit
The Netflix original series, watched by over 70 million households, sees a number of meaty themes assembled around chess prodigy Beth. Having been exposed to the death of her mother, the death of her adoptive mother and her own serious addictions, Beth wants to succeed in the chess world – but must have to overcome her own demons to be successful.
