For so long, it seemed that mental health was something that must never be discussed. A Voldemort-esque shadow hanging over modern Britain ready to strike whenever someone so much as has an emotion, let alone discuss it.
In truth, mental health has always been there – ever since humans developed brains. It’s just been covered in a healthy dose of innuendo and humour. For example, the characters in Winnie the Pooh each represent a different mental health issue; Eeyore resembles depression and Piglet represents anxiety. It’s only nowadays that people are beginning to be open about how they’re feeling – and more importantly, admitting when they’re not okay. Even better, doing it in mediums where everyone else can understand. Here are some examples of mental health representation in the media in recent years.
Psychodrama by Dave
Released: 2019
Medium: Album
“Brother I’m a careful, humble, reckless, arrogant, extravagant
Probably battlin’ with manic depression
Man, I think I’m going mad again
It’s like I’m happy for a second then I’m sad again.”
I won’t lie to you – my music taste is more James Blunt and Noah Kahan than your average Dave listener. However, there are very few albums I listen through entirely in silence and then immediately listen again. Psychodrama is one such album. It explores mental health with such brutal honesty, setting the scene with the opening song, Psycho. This song takes a usual rap genre vibe before shifting at the three-minute mark to a more soulful and reflective approach, which continues all the way through to the closing song Drama: “I learn over time, separation issues I describe, are probably the reasons that I struggle feeling anything.” Such brutal openness is welcome and the framing of the album as a therapy session not only encourages it, but demands it. Dave shows he’s not afraid to discuss a topic which still holds such social taboo, particularly amongst the black community. It’s an example of smashing through barriers and starting a conversation rarely had that can save lives.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Released: 2009 – 2014 (books), 2015 – 2020 (TV Series)
Medium: Books and TV series
The Magicians is if Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia had a love child which grew up to be a rebellious 18-year-old. It follows Quentin as he discovers magic is real and taught at Brakebills. Think Hogwarts if they served wine and you’re not too far wrong. While exploring this world of magic, Quentin is forced to explore his own depression, anxiety and insecurities, as must his newfound friends. The series is an amazing exploration of how we react when everything we know is flipped upside down, and how the perfect world we dreamed of as a child doesn’t actually exist. Both the books and series explore grief with heartfelt honesty and humour, showing that there is no perfect solution to life, but your friends can help you through almost anything.
Soaps
Released: 1960 – Present
Medium: TV series
Soaps – or continuing dramas as they prefer to be called – have had a bad rep for a little while. They are looked down on by the rest of the TV world due to their sensational storylines, which you almost never see in other mainstream TV such as Grey’s Anatomy for example (😊). Since they first aired many moons ago, soaps have been at the forefront of British issue-based programming. In recent years this has included leaps and bounds in mental health representation. Hollyoaks has a younger cast, focusing on the mental health of the younger generation. Whereas Emmerdale recently ran an exceptional storyline focusing on Paddy, a vet who has been a steady figure in the village for years. Between the four main English soaps, they have covered the mental health of nearly every demographic in the country. This kind of storytelling, while often leaning into the sensational, allows people to feel seen, relating to these stories and encouraging them to speak to a professional or get help.
My 21st Century Blues by Raye
Released: 2023
Medium: Album
The most recent media on this list and perhaps the most refreshing. Raye’s journey to getting her debut album released is perhaps the perfect example of why artists don’t talk about their mental health and personal experiences more. An extremely talented artist, Raye was used by her label on other artists’ songs, but went independent to release her own album. The album follows Raye through a variety of her experiences, from sexual assault to depression and anxiety.
Disclosure: I’ve seen her perform some of these songs live when she supported Lewis Capaldi on tour, and it’s so clear these songs come from the heart. Escapism is a perfect example of what mental health looks like in modern Britain, looking at the ways we bury our issues, in drink and other such narcotics. But ultimately, accepting the only real solution is speaking to your doctor. Not just that but it’s an absolute banger.
Doctor Who created by Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber and Donald Wilson
Released: 1963 – present
Medium: TV series
This may be the only blog that lists Doctor Who and Dave in the same article. I can’t claim to have watched every episode released, but I have watched every episode since the 2005 revival many times. And boy oh boy did it come back with a bang – with Christopher Ecclestone’s Doctor suffering from PTSD. This continued over the series in the background until coming to a head in the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor. The show has always explored identity as a central theme and this has included exploring mental health in its many forms over the years, something that is sure to continue for many years to come… hopefully.
Overall, it’s clear to see that the arts and creative industries are leading the charge when it comes to creating open and frank conversations about mental health. Please don’t forget that if you need to speak to someone, there is loads of help you can access. From your GP to your University support team, please speak up if you feel you need to.
Other notable representations of mental health, inclusion and diversity in the media recently include My Mad Fat Diary, Love Island, Iron Man 3, Avengers Endgame, Sex Education, Big Brother, Married at First Sight, Race Across the World, Jesy Nelson – Odd One Out, the David Beckham documentary, Lewis Capaldi – How I’m Feeling Now.
By Oli.
