The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has published the third part of their study on mental health in film, titled: ‘Distorted Depictions: Popular Movies Misrepresent The Reality of Mental Health Conditions.’

The study examines the portrayal of mental health conditions across popular media, particularly from 2016 to 2022. The report goes into specific detail on the demographics of race, gender, and sexuality of characters who are depicted as having a mental health condition.

“Our work has demonstrated that change has occurred in entertainment across a variety of indicators,” said Dr. Stacy Smith, the founder of the Inclusion Initiative. “Yet when it comes to mental health conditions– which are reported by a significant portion of the population– there has been no improvement over time. Entertainment can play a role in shaping perceptions of mental health conditions, but the absence of these portrayals communicates that mental health conditions are invisible as are those who live with them. This must change.”

The study showed that nearly half of all films did not showcase a character with a mental health condition. Many of the characters’ mental health issues were portrayed in a negative light, and a high percentage of the characters were involved in violence or violent acts. “Film appears to have little value for the lives of characters with mental health conditions,” said Dr. Smith.

Fortunately, the Inclusion Initiative has helped to develop a Mental Health Media Guide, which can be consulted when writing or directing a character with a mental health condition. The Inclusion Initiative hopes to see the entertainment industry use this guide to showcase characters in more nuanced, more positive depictions of mental health conditions.