#3 - LIFESTYLE OR POP CULTURE

 Mental Health in Pop Culture

With social media becoming more and more integrated into many people's everyday lives, mental health has become much easier to talk about and a common topic now seen on almost any social media platform. Nowadays, it is not unusual to see movies, tv shows, or social media posts that revolve around mental health. Whether it be a specific mental illness or a general "how to" on working on your mental health, this topic has become a huge part of the social media narrative. 

On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, it seems like everyday there is a new story about a popular celebrity or creator talking about their mental health or mental illnesses. Two of the most popular illnesses talked about are anxiety and depression. More and more people, famous and not, are coming forward to share their stories and experiences with these illnesses, allowing people to get a glimpse into their lives as well as feel seen knowing that someone else struggles with these mental health issues as well.

While portrayal of mental health can be great in pop culture, showing tips or comfort in dealing with mental health, it is also not unheard of to see dramatic and sometimes skewed versions of what mental health or mental illness really is. Psychiatrist, Dr. Vasilis Pozios says, “People with mental illness — it’s not their entire existence. It doesn’t define them and with treatment they can get better.” I think it is important for mental illnesses to be portrayed, but I think it needs to be done in a way that is accurate and tells the truth of what it really is like.

       
      One thing I love about the technology we have today is how things like mental illness can be displayed in movies or TV shows. In 2020, a movie came out called Words on Bathroom Walls that centered on a teenager with Schizophrenia and his life as he juggled changing schools, new medication, and falling in love. For me, Schizophrenia has always been a sort of taboo subject. I have only ever seen or heard it portrayed as an essentially crazy person who talks to voices all day long. However, after watching this movie, I realized just how little I know about the disease. I was so thankful that this movie portrayed Schizophrenia in a way that educated people like me and comforted those with the disorder.

    One reason mental health has become so much easier to talk about is because of the people who talk about it in pop culture. Just recently, TikTok star Addison Rae opened up about her struggle with mental health in an interview with Glamour. Rae mentioned that she was in therapy, which is still a very polarizing subject for many people. I think that Addison, and many other celebrities, speaking out about mental health plus having healthy and accurate representation in the media will allow mental health and illness to continue to be not only easier for people to talk about, but also to learn about and deal with.

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