2. Here’s the Plan
• Quick Introduction
• Setting the scene together
• Mental Health
• Stigma
• Watch and discuss films
• Panel of students and resources
#Movies4MentalHealth
3. Brought to you by…
Monthly short film competition. Campus workshops. Global community.
#Movies4MentalHealth
4. Where were you right before
coming to the workshop?
#Movies4MentalHealth
5. Heads Up
• Mental health is personal – YOU are the expert on
your own experience
• Public space – no confidentiality
• It’s okay to feel!
• Films and conversations might be triggering
• Please take care of yourself however you need,
including asking for help
#Movies4MentalHealth
8. Some movies and tv shows that
show mental illness…
13 Reasons Why
Bojack Horseman
Lady Dynamite
Bates Motel
Split
Shameless
The Sopranos
Patrick Melrose
Edge of Seventeen
Ordinary People
It’s Kinda Funny Story
#Movies4MentalHealth
9. Characters with mental illness
are portrayed as…
Romanticized, not in a positive light, dramatic.
Helpless and hopeless
Violent
Irrational in comparison
Lack of empathy
Self-absorbed, closed off, cold,
unapproachable
Chaotic
Unstable, no opportunity for recovery
Portrayal of treatment is inaccurate (“Shutter
Island”)
#Movies4MentalHealth
11. Stigma
•A judgment or stereotype that is:
• Always negative
• Always untrue
• Can be internalized
#Movies4MentalHealth
12. How does stigma feel?
Misunderstood
Shameful
“Convincing”
Unaccepted
Pre-judged
Afraid
Frustrated
Shunned
#Movies4MentalHealth
13. A Short Film About Anxiety
By Lily Rose Thomas + Stephen Isaac-Wilson
AWI Winner, JULY 2018
#Movies4MentalHealth
14. Discuss in groups of three…
• What did you think?
• What did you feel?
#Movies4MentalHealth
15. What did you think? What did you feel?
Thoughts
Good depiction of anxiety,
everyday scenarios.
Wasn’t cliché, gave justice to
perspectives that aren’t
typically shown.
Was very personal (from daily
life perspective, on phones)
Had the peak of experiencing
acute anxiety and offered
steps for seeking support.
Feelings
Felt more empathetic
Relatable
Mimicked the feeling of anxiety
Felt reassuring toward the end
16. How did the filmmaking
techniques help tell the story?
The use of iPhones mimicked the experience of
anxiety
The music was “quivering,” the feeling of being
“all over the place”
The flashing clips also mimicked the feeling of
anxiety
Lack of structure, no linear narrative,
randomness on top of randomness
Transition from first part of film, changes in
music. Messages being taught over the lack of
structure.
#Movies4MentalHealth
18. Discuss in groups of three…
• What did you think?
• What did you feel?
#Movies4MentalHealth
19. What did you think? What did you feel?
Thoughts
Liked how the best friend stuck
around, shared story of
brother. Showed how to
actively help someone else.
Words got lost, Mia lashed out.
Captured the experience of
depression (emotional
experience, emotionally
numb)
Symptoms are complex.
Film mimicked the Mia’s
feelings, symptoms,
experience.
Feelings
Felt empathy toward Mia, was
affected by her tone of voice.
Felt appreciation that there was
a distinction between anxiety
and depression
Liked that she was doing
better, but still voiced that she
was learning how to cope.
20. Why don’t people get help?
“I’ll manage,” “Other people have it worse”
Lack of knowledge of resources
Getting help is “weak”
Don’t have access, ability – financially
In denial, can’t see own warning signs
Afraid of the diagnosis
Lack of energy
“It won’t work”
Symptoms are normalized
Not enough support, providers
Misunderstanding on how treatment works
#Movies4MentalHealth
22. Responses and Reactions?
#Movies4MentalHealth
The only video where humor was used. Depends on the audience re: how it would be received.
Quite different than how it is usually depicted on TV. Usually shown as spur of the moment.
Liked the use of the humor and the removal of the ear buds, “break in the cycle of depression”
Why? Not a one factor decision, “A multitude of things”
The use of the woman’s voice as words of reassurance, contradicting what the protagonist was
saying.
Was very easy to empathize with his feelings of loneliness. Liked how he met a random woman
who brought to life the feeling of living and the fact that he is not really alone.
Insightful to use humor in contrast, many folks who are living with ideation use humor as a
coping mechanism.
Beautiful depiction of our shared humanity and our role in relation to others, even when you’re
sad you can be important to others.
Was “holding breath” up until the end, combined with filmmakers technique. Was well done.
23. What can we do?
Always ask others how they are, not in a way to pry. Just to connect and let people know they
are thought of.
Pay attention and ask questions.
Learn the signs of different mental health challenges, language, and differences. Respect.
“One smile can brighten one’s day”
Be supportive to the best of your ability.
Learn how to be a good listener.
#Movies4MentalHealth
25. Meet the Panel
Julia Lam
University of Pittsburgh Student
Kamakashi Sharma
University of Pittsburgh Student
Rose Schade
University of Pittsburgh Student
Connor Olson
University of Pittsburgh Student
Bobbi Jo Witam, MA, NCC, LPC
Staff Counselor, University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center
Elizabeth Bendick, PsyD
Psychologist, University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center
Michael Edelstein, MA
Crisis Service Coordination Supervisor, resolve Crisis Services
and Western Psychiatric Hospital DEC (ER)
#Movies4MentalHealth
26. Stay in touch!
Don’t forget to leave your name
and email on the sign-up sheet!
@artwithimpact
info@artwithimpact.org
#Movies4MentalHealth
