There’s no shortage of movies to pick from that talk about topics concerning mental health.
While others to put it politely aren’t worth your time, some have honest, poignant depictions.
Actually a selection that I reckon are worth taking a look at, it is by no means a definitive list of the top movies about mental illness. Their father’s passing has left behind a $ 3 million dollar inheritance that was supposed to go to Raymond’s care at the mental health hospital where he lives. Seriously. With that said, this classic movie tells the story of a man living with autism, Raymond and his brother Charlie. When Charlie discovers that he has an older brother, the initial stage Rain Man is the first time the brothers are meeting. Keep reading. To try to gain this inheritance, Charlie checks Raymond out of the psychiatric hospital and takes him back to LA with him.
Raymond’s characteristics throughout the film accurately exemplify the habits and ritualistic behaviors of someone who is autistic.
Taking care of the dog and beginning a friendship with the waitress each day. Notice, melvin Udall is a ‘antisocial’ novelist living with obsessivecompulsive disorder in As Good As It Gets. Melvin agrees to look after his dog, when his neighbor gets into an accident. Fact, this film truly showcases how ostracizing it can be for someone to live with OCD, and how challenging it can be to make connections with people who have a grasp of the symptoms. Therefore the symptoms of living with bipolar disorder have caused him to lose both his wife and his job. That’s where it starts getting really serious. He is determined to get his wife back and meets someone, Tiffany, who offers to help him in exchange for being her ballroom dance partner.
Pat Solatano is forced to move back in with his parents, right after spending time in a mental health hospital.
Ann Miller is a certified mental health coach and wellness writer with a strong background in psychology and emotional resilience. With over a decade of experience in helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and burnout, Ann specializes in making complex mental health topics accessible and empowering.
She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked with both individual clients and organizations to promote emotional well-being and work-life balance. Through her writing, Ann aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and offer practical, compassionate guidance for everyday challenges.
When she's not writing or consulting, Ann enjoys early morning yoga, quiet reading time, and exploring nature trails with her dog. Her personal philosophy: "Mental health is not a luxury — it’s a foundation for everything we do."