For some people, the holiday season can be difficult. The end of the year can exacerbate certain life stressors and uncover emotions we haven’t let ourselves fully experience throughout the year. According to a 2006 survey by the American Psychological Association, 44 percent of women and 31 percent of men reported an increase in stress around the holidays. So it’s important to have conversations surrounding mental health consistently during the holidays, and all year round. Staying abreast on stigmas, regulations, treatments, and other issues concerning mental health is essential. That’s why these 13 documentaries about mental healthare required viewing.
Warning: This article contains information about mental illness, addiction, and suicide, which some may find triggering.
There is still a stigma when it comes to talking about mental health issues, mainly because many people are misinformed, confused, or too embarrassed to talk about their struggles. And while there are still many hurdles to proper discussions, there are plenty of documentaries available that shine light on various mental health concerns in an array of communities. Covering fields including bipolar disorder, anorexia, and depression, these documentaries are a great way to open up dialogue with your friends and family members. Just be aware of your triggers, and take care not to expose yourself to any movie that will do more harm than good.
1. WTF Is Mental Health?
VIAKOFI on YouTube
Kofi Siriboe’s short documentary, WTF Is Mental Health?, explores the preconceived notions of mental health in the Black community.
2. Alien Boy: The Life & Death Of James Chasse
Movieclips Indie on YouTube
Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse, is about a man named who had schizophrenia and was allegedly attacked by three Portland police officers. The attack resulted in the death of Chasse and led to the family suing the city of Portland. The documentary sheds light on how people with mental health disorders can be treated by law enforcement officers who aren’t properly trained.
3. Simply Complicated
Demi Lovato on YouTube
Demi Lovato opens up about her struggles with mental health, substance abuse, self-esteem, and stardom. She may be a celebrity, but many of the pressures she describes experiencing are relatable.
4. Thin
april1819 on YouTube
This HBO documentary follows four women and their struggle with eating disorders. The rawly honest film sheds a light on what self-acceptance looks like and how mental illnesses, such as bulimia and anorexia, affect the daily lives of women in particular.
5. Running From Crazy
Cabincreekfilms on YouTube
Running From Crazy centers on three granddaughters of Ernest Hemingway, endeavoring to understand how mental illness affects their family and each of them individually.
6. Don’t Call Me Crazy
ImMentalAndItsOkay on YouTube
A three-part documentary series, Don’t Call Me Crazy, follows British teens as they receive inpatient treatment to at one of the largest mental health units in the U.K.
7. Happy
HVC TVOD eXBjLW1vdmllL3ZpZGVvL3JXT1hrTUZiYVFn on YouTube
What makes us happy? Happy tries to determine just that. This documentary takes a look at various cultural ideals of what constitutes true contentment.
8. The Bridge
The Bridge on YouTube
The Bridge features interviews with family members who have lost loved ones to suicide at this particular landmark.
9. The Horse Boy
ZeitgeistFilms on YouTube
The Horse Boy is about one family’s journey to find alternative treatments for their autistic son. Rowan Isaacson rarely communicastes with his parents, but when he find a special bond with horses, he begins to speak.
10. The Devil & Daniel Johnston
The Devil And Daniel Johnston – Trailer on YouTube
This documentary chronicles the life of a manic-depressive musician and artist, Daniel Johnston.
11. Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck
Film Trailer Zone on YouTube
This documentary tells the story of Kurt Cobain’s life and death, as well as the legacy he left behind.
12. Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind
HBO on YouTube
This moving documentary chronicles the rise of actor/comedian Robin Williams, shedding light on his struggles with mental health and addiction, which developed before he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.
13. Outside The House
Darnell Lamont Walker’s documentary Outside The House, focuses on the barriers to discussing mental health in Black communities.
Stream it on Outside the House website.
Remember to take care in choosing a film to watch. But with this list, you can start the new year with open, healthy conversations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also reach out to the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386, or to your local suicide crisis center.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for substance use, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357).
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
