The best TV shows that tackle mental health

Key points

• TV programs can spark conversations and awareness about mental health issues, such as
  Shameless
  &
  The crowded room.
• 1 in 4 people in the world suffer from mental illnesses; anxiety, depression, and LGBTQ+ show the highest rates in the United States.
• 13 Reasons Why
  effectively describes mental health problems related to bullying, abuse and suicide.

TV programs that talk about mental health they are essential for provoking conversations, raising awareness and bringing people together by helping to promote empathy and acceptance. One in four people suffer from mental illness worldwide. Among U.S. adults, the demographic group that suffers the most is LGBTQ+, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Anxiety disorders and depression are the most prevalent conditions each year.

Some television programs raise mental health awareness by focusing on a dysfunctional Chicago family, raising awareness and educating viewers about dissociative identity disorder, and illustrating the consequences of bullying and abuse. While these shows aren't always easy to watch, they ask important questions and shed light on serious and all-too-common mental health issues.

This article discusses mental health issues, including topics such as depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, self-harm, and suicide.

9 Shameless

Deals with bipolar illness, addiction and abandonment

• Type: Comedy, Drama
• Release date: January 9, 2011
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
• IMDb rating: 8.5/10

Shameless it should be the number one show on television that addresses mental health issues. The show revolves around a Chicago family dealing with alcoholism, burnout, depression, addiction, bipolar disorder and body image issues. Shameless portrays these issues perfectly and realistically, thanks to its talented cast, including Jeremy Allen White, Emmy Rossum, and William H. Macy.

This Chicago family is very toxic, with a narcissistic father, a son who has impulsive behavior due to his sexuality and an older sister who tries to keep the family together at all costs after being continuously abandoned by both toxic parents.

8 The crowded room

It provokes conversations about trauma and dissociative identities

• Type: Drama, Psychological thriller
• Release date: June 9, 2023
• Streaming: Apple TV
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10

The crowded room is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a young man named Danny (played by Tom Holland) who is accused of a crime while dealing with schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder. Throughout the show, viewers can decipher the plot through the interrogations, therapy sessions, and triggers that bring his episodes to life and influence his behaviors.

The show also depicts how mental illness, particularly psychosis, can affect a person's sense of self and their relationships. Furthermore, The crowded room does a great job of showing how society views mental health issues.

7 13 Reasons Why

Covers mental health issues resulting from bullying and abuse

• Type: Teen Drama, Mystery, Psychological Thriller
• Release date: March 31, 2017
• Streaming: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 7.5/10

13 Reasons Why is another TV show that adequately addresses mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicide, stemming from bullying, trauma, and sexual assault. The series is extremely explicit; the plot begins with Hanna Baker (played by Katherine Langford), who decides to commit suicide and leaves behind 13 tapes. Each turns to a person who she believes harmed her and caused her decision to end her life.

If you or someone you know is struggling, resources and immediate support are available through mental health professionals and helplines.

Meanwhile, Clay Jensen (played by Dylan Minnette), Hanna's best friend, is left with feelings of guilt, anxiety and a need for justice. This demonstrates the importance of the need for empathy towards other people and the consequences of untreated trauma.

6 The bear

Recognizes mental health issues such as anxiety and pain

• Type: Dramatic comedy, psychological drama
• Release date: June 23, 2022
• Streaming: Disney+
• IMDb rating: 8.6/10

The bear nails this category. This TV show addresses high pressure in a work environment and the results of unprocessed trauma and lack of open dialogue. The main protagonist, Carmy (played by Jeremy Allen White), inherits her brother's local restaurant after his death. Carmy is going through a hard time after not being there for her brother. Meanwhile, he also has to deal with anxiety and stress resulting from his toxic work environment at the restaurant.

This show isn't just about cooking. It's a raw look at how people deal with, or avoid dealing with, trauma, stress, and their overall negative emotions. It is a must-see film and has won 103 awards with over 150 nominations. Every cast member won or was nominated for Best Actor.

5 Shrinking

The importance of therapy for healing pain

• Type: Comedy, Drama
• Release date: January 27, 2023
• Streaming: Apple TV
• IMDb rating: 8.0/10

Shrinking shows the importance of therapy as a tool throughout the healing process when grieving for a loved one. The plot centers on Jimmy (played by Jason Segel), who works as a therapist while going through mental issues following the death of his wife. This leads him to change his traditional therapy sessions and take risks, which leads to an interesting twist.

The show portrays grief, depression, and an unfiltered side of the healing process. He also points out that it is impossible to help someone if you are not in the right state of mind. As intended by actor Jason Segel, the show combines comedy and drama, and Jimmy is an incredibly relatable and fun character to watch.

4 BoJack Knight

Portrayals of self-destructive behavior and depression

• Type: Adult Animation, Dark Comedy, Psychological Drama
• Release date: August 22, 2014
• Streaming: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 8.8/10

BoJack Knight is an adult animation series that uses dark comedy and drama to portray mental health issues without sugarcoating anything. The main character, BoJack (voiced by Will Arnett), is a famous actor trying to be relevant again while struggling with depression, alcoholism, and self-destructive behavior.

BoJack Horseman has received animation's highest honor: the
Annie Award
for Best Animated Television Production for General Audiences.

What the show highlights is each character's raw honesty in dealing with mental issues. Other characters include Diane (voiced by Allison Brie), who is searching for purpose in life, and Princess Carolyn (voiced by Amy Sedaris), who also deals with anxiety and workaholism.

3 Euphoria

Substance abuse and identity problems in adolescents

• Type: Teen drama, Psychological drama
• Release date: June 16, 2019
• Streaming: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Euphoria is a television show released in June 2019. The plot focuses on the female protagonist, Rue (played by Zendaya), who is battling an intense drug addiction to help her deal with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety following the death of his father. Zendaya's extraordinary performance earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Euphoria is brilliant at showing how messy life can become when dealing with untreated trauma without any professional help, and how social pressures and social media can affect mental health.

2 Little reindeer

Deal with isolation, trauma, and discontent

• Type: Dark comedy, biography, drama
• Release date: April 11, 2024
• Streaming: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10

Little reindeer was written by and stars Richard Gadd, whose life is turned upside down after an act of kindness towards a vulnerable woman he meets in the bar where he works. The woman is mentally unstable and begins to molest and abuse him. Over the course of the series, fans see how paranoia, fear, and guilt can affect someone's daily life if left untreated.

The show is based on a true story and presents a clear and realistic view of these struggles, provoking conversations about mental health. For anyone who has been in the same situation, the show can be a little disturbing and thought-provoking.

1 In treatment

A raw look at therapy sessions

• Type: Drama
• Release date: January 28, 2008
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb rating: 8.3/10

On the TV show In treatmentviewers get a peek into the world of therapy. It not only shows the patients' difficulties but also the therapist's point of view. What viewers like about this TV show is that most of the episodes take place inside the therapy room, offering a realistic and raw view of the process. The therapy sessions cover anxiety, couple and parental conflicts and also couples therapy.

The cases are relatable and highlight that healing takes time and that self-reflection is key. In treatment focuses entirely on therapy, making it a must-see for anyone looking for shows that don't just focus on mental health issues but also the healing process.