For this special episode of The Pop Culture Lens, Christopher J. Olson (Seems Obvious to Me) and I address a question: are representations of mental health issues in pop culture helpful?

Our answers delve into the many different mental health issues represented in television and film, from bipolar disorder and depression to mental health facilities and addiction. We discuss texts from Shock Corridor and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to BoJack Horseman and Pi.

In the episode, we make several recommendations, which are included here:

• Articles:
  • https://themighty.com/2017/10/good-portrayals-mental-illness-tv-shows
  • http://www.health.com/anxiety/tv-shows-mental-health
  • https://frankridgememorialfoundation.org/recommended-movies-and-television-shows/
• Source for help
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5): https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
  • Psychology Today: Find a therapist: https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/?tr=Hdr_Brand
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255): https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
  • International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/
  • USA MentalHealth.gov: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/index.html
  • WHO Mental health: http://www.who.int/mental_health/en/

As always, you are encouraged to become a part of this conversation by visiting any of the podcast’s social media sites. You can also talk with Christopher Olson on Twitter (@chrstphrolson) and at his academic blog seemsobvioustome.wordpress.com. And you can talk to CarrieLynn Reinhard on Twitter (@mediaoracle).