The topic of mental health is still somewhat taboo. Sometimes the media doesn’t represent it in a great light and can glorify issues going on in characters’ lives. As someone who struggled with understanding that mental health is important, I appreciate seeing shows or movies that clearly show what it can look like when mental health isn’t prioritized. Seeing these things reminds me that there are other people out there with similar problems, but it also shows me that it can get better.
This past week, one of my favorite shows showed a character who was struggling with her mental health. She had been suffering for a while, but she decided to mask it in hopes that she would be okay. The episode showed how this just pushed her towards being more and more miserable as days passed until she eventually had enough. In a powerful, bleak scene, the character is seen attempting suicide. She walks into the ocean, fully clothed, and proceeds to let the waves consume her as all the bad moments from her life replay in her mind. She seemed determined to let herself drown until she pictures her boyfriend and daughter in her mind. The thought of leaving these two people pushed her to fight against the waves.
In later scenes, she is seen getting help and pushing each day to prioritize her mental health. This representation resonated with me since it was not only powerful yet important to see how mental health can decline from a young age and if you don’t acknowledge it, it’ll eventually break you. I think some people do not understand how mental health matters at any age. If a young child expresses their issues concerning mental health, it’s up to the adult figures to communicate how there are ways to get better. It shouldn’t be a topic that is glossed over with excuses that they’re too young to feel that way.
As someone who belongs to a community where mental health is a taboo topic, I learned about all the forms of mental health issues from school, movies, books, and shows. Later on, I understood how important this representation was, especially as a young girl who couldn’t talk openly about mental health. It is amazing to see that there is progress in seeing more representation. It’s also important to continue ending the stigma of mental health. We need to normalize talking about mental health and all the sides of it. The bad, ugly, and uncomfortable sides. Everyone should feel safe to seek help and voice their feelings.