Stigma, Interrupted

Mental health and wellbeing problems has, and continues, to be a topic which fuels the imagination of creatives, leading to the creation of several examples of popular media or “pop culture” in today's society. From Gaslight (1940) to Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), film has shown the highs and lows of characters living with a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues to audiences all over the world. And as entertainment has expanded into television shows spanning numerous episodes and video games across various platforms, mental health has continued to be explored. 

However, are these depictions of mental health positive? 

How do these depictions shape attitudes and stigma towards mental health and wellbeing challenges? 

Feeling Strong’s new campaign Stigma, Interrupted gives voice to young people on how good, or bad, representation of mental health challenges in media such as film, TV and games can influence people who don't understand mental health conditions and people who are going through their own mental health recovery journey.