Hi All

There is a tonne of first-person literature out there telling about experiences of MH.
I've read a tonne of it. And watched so many tv shows and movies on this theme.

Does anyone have any advice of media/books dealing with recovery from MH struggles? I'm really interested also to read about ppl who have survived attempts.

The only book I know about this is Rosie Waterland Every Lie I've Ever Told

I found some support in the chapter on addiction in So Sad Today - but that was otherwise a harrowing book.

Rupi Kaur's poems are quite empowering.

Anyone else got any tips?

just to clarify i'm wandering if sometimes although there's a lot of Mh related media - it's not always recovery focussed. Sometimes it doesn't deal with the subject amazingly. Wanting to find some inspiring ones.... ones that show that recovery is possible.

Dear Sleepy21,

This is a great thread! It got me thinking...I haven't encountered much that gives a positive message about mental health recovery either. Most of those I know either deal with poor mental health as it is happening (without recovery), or progressively deteriorating mental health. I'm interested to hear what others have got to suggest.

Cheers,
M

Really interesting topic, I've been trying to locate some over the last few years myself, specifically movies in my case. You're right in that there aren't a lot that deal with the recovery side of things, at least in a very authentic way. A recent film I watched though is 'Leave No Trace', I want to avoid spoilers so I will say it doesn't demonstrate full recovery, but the way it explored PTSD and potential rehabilitation felt very authentic to me.

Something that did have a profound effect on me was Gary Numan's documentary 'Android in La La Land'. I guess you do have to know who he is because his background as a musician is useful, but there's an engaging story about his recovery from severe depression and anxiety. He went through extreme lows, made even more difficult from being a public figure and the criticism he was copping not just from the voices in his head but externally from the press etc as well. But he managed to navigate it and become productive in his field again and gives 100% to doing what he loves without fear. I found the message and how he shares his stories and experiences very helpful.

wow, amazing response emmen it's so true... how many times do we see ppl deteriorate.... i'm thinking of when we watch/learn about ppl taking the steps forward to learn about managing MH....

Hi Memory Trap that's inspiring... i'm going to look him up...

I've heard of Leave No Trace... did you enjoy the movie?

I don't like TV shows which glorify mental illness and see the person spiralling or self-medicating...

does anyone on tv shows or movies go to therapy?

Two shows I like are

Crazy Ex Girlfriend

and Insecure

because the women in it struggle and actually go to therapy, and the therapists are depicted as caring, smart and professional

I thought the movie Silver Linings PlayBook had a weird notion of therapy. Why was his therapist coming out in emergencies to support him in person and be there with him at tough life events? Therapists don't do that....and probs shouldn't in my opinion. It seemed like the therapist was just a kindly older figuire who would become a surrogate parent. This is actually toxic! It's good to normalise therapy and reflect what it really looks like in reality. Therapists aren't best friends.

Has anyone watched Mr. Robot?

If you have seen the first three seasons, it might seem so dark but it's very rewarding if you watch all season. For those who don't know, the main character is a bipolar network security engineer by day but a hacker by night. The past traumas he had shaped him such a way that he enjoys hacking people to find out how what they enjoy, drink, watch etc. He creates alternate realities to find comfort, to escape loneliness. There are a few dark and also comforting clips on youtube if you can't watch the whole thing.

it's come on my feed ... thanks so much for the rec i need to watch

great to know that it's relevant to MH, was hard to guage what it was about from the ads... appreciated

Hi Sleepy, yes I liked Leave No Trace, probably one of the best movies I've seen in the last few years. I liked that it was non-judgmental towards the characters and doesn't force a happy ending. The best thing about it was that there is no manipulative music to try and make you feel a certain way like I find most of these kinds of films do, it just presents the scenes and lets things unfold.

What a great thread, but I too can't think of many movies that put mental health in a good light or at least make mental health not so dark.

The one movie that shows a real struggle, and that has a positive end is "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can". It's about a lady I believe is battles a benzo addiction. I'd really recommend it to someone whom has a interest in the subject matter mentioned.

Also, there is "One flew over the cuckoo's nest" which has a happy ending to a heavy plot, also "trainspotting" which can be quite dark at times. Mental health themed movies they definitely are.

I'd love to hear from you that have heard of or watched "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can". Its a great mental health movie.

Regards,

D

Hey Doz - that sounds awesome i'll check it out.
I'm glad you liked it.

Glad to have your input here which is always so valuable.

Another one I can think of is Lars and the Real Girl -

although the situation he's in is truly specific it was interesting the way the movie discussed trauma, also the brother who was judgemental and intolerant of MH in his family member - i think that story arc was quite giving and leads to thoughts about prejudice against those struggling with MH.

Even though it's quite dark I think The Yellow Wallpaper was ahead of it's time - a short story showing the power imbalances in how we diagnose and make assumptions about ppl with mental illness.

I thought the TV show Girls was a terrible depiction of MH Those Girls seems to seek out quick fixes to avoid getting MH treatment. Fun show but dismal treatment of MH issues, in my humble opinion.

Anyone into Homeland? I haven't' seen it but I believe she has Bipolar.
Can't really think of anything else good...
Romantic Thi3F had recommended a really good graphic novel, Eyes too Dry

it's set in Melbourne with two 25 year old best friends. One struggles with depression and suicidal ideation and her friend tracks their relationship ups and downs as they try together to navigate recovery. It's quite beautiful and helpful.

There's a podcast by Honor Eastly called "No Feeling is Final"

she's cool

Melbourne-based writer/creator who talks about navigating the mental health system. A lot of stuff she talks about resonates.

Hannah Gadsby's Nanette

TW sexual abuse -

inspiring story about telling ur truth

"there is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself"

Great thread idea Sleepy. Hannah Gadsby is funny, haven't watched Nanette or any of these, or read any.

I'm not sure of any myself.

HIghly recommend

Lars and the Real Girl

and the amazing

Manchester by the Sea

which are two movies dealing with trauma in interesting ways.

Manchester by the Sea is about a set of ppl in a small town who are traumatised by different life events and how they rebuild. I could relate to a lot of their experiences, including one having a panic attack, one talking about feeling numb, and how they cope with what they've lived.

It felt very true and real to me.

Hi,

Of course there is the classic "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath. It can be a bit dark but ultimately speaks of the main character, Esther's journey with MH. Sylvia Plath was also a Pulitzer award winning poet. Sylvia had her own MH struggles throughout her life, and much of her work draws on this. Not sure how uplifting her writing is, but reading about other people's struggles can make one feel less alone.

Thanks so much Boudaica, you make great points about Sylvia Plaths work

I think ppl might find comfort in some of her poems regarding struggling after having birth and PND....

I like Morning Song for this

and Tulips I believe is about her being in a hospital

Do u have a fave of hers?

Hi Sylvia,

I've always loved Tulips actually, though I have not spent a lot of time in hospital, I still related to the feeling of being vulnerable and watched and unable to escape. I used to enjoy her work long ago, but my ex had given me the books, as he thought I would relate and I have memories of him reading the poems in Ariel to me, hence I tend to leave them in the past nowadays! I spent my youth always reading, but have little time for it now (aside from that which is prescribed for me for study). I really miss it, and one day when I have time to myself I will return!!

Hi there, this isn't necessarily about Recovery itself, but I believe that reading this story has helped me conceptualise recovery and how the MH system sometimes inhibits recovery, and is patriachal and demeaning to certain groups (the word hysterical, anyway?)

I love the short story The Yellow Wallpaper

Have a read for an interesting viewpoint on how being stigmatised and infantalised for MH struggles is a form of abuse.... still relevant today, sadly

Sleepy I like that story too. It is written by Charlotte Perkins.

Beating The Blues (book) was something I was told to read, a bit of a self help book with activities. it might help some, idk.

This is a helpful book to understand why I am so sensitive,

The Highly Sensitive Person’s Workbook – Elaine N. Aron Ph.D.

Thanks Quirky! amazing.

there is a truly heartwarming movie called "brittany runs a marathon" a true story about a depressed woman who sets a goal to start running. Not what you'd expect though, not glorifying excercise or weight loss as "the cure" at all and has a message related to inner strength and beauty, and the bumps and lessons along the way in healing. loved it. beautiful.

Hi Boudica, loved ur input earlier about Sylvia Plath. It sounds like you could feel for her , which I always felt too. You showed me that. I related to Tulips even before being in a MH hospital , the concepts are deep.

I loved "Morning Song" as well.

Thanks sleepy

I will look up that movie .

enjoy quirky. i saw it in the cinemas in 2019