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Mental Health in Pop Culture
How movies, books, and music address mental health themes.


Leap Year: Are You Chasing Control or Choosing Connection?
In the 2010 film Leap Year, Anna Brady (played by Amy Adams) is a woman with a clear path and a carefully designed life. She’s polished, organized, and driven — the kind of person who thrives on color-coded calendars and 5-year plans. When her long-time boyfriend still hasn’t proposed, Anna decides to take matters into her own hands. Following an old Irish tradition, she plans to propose to him on February 29th, leap day, during a business trip to Ireland...
Jul 27


I Know What You Did Last Summer: When the Real Horror Is Trauma Left Untold
At a glance, I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) is a classic horror flick: a group of teens, a deadly secret, and a relentless killer with a hook. But behind the gore and suspense is a quieter, more haunting story—one about adolescent trauma, unprocessed grief, and the unraveling that happens when young people carry the unbearable alone.
Let’s take a closer look—through the lens of the 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Adolesce
May 25


How RuPaul’s Drag Race Heals Racial Divides, Elevates LGBTQIA+ Voices, and Inspires Us to Thrive
In a world that often teaches us to separate, RuPaul’s Drag Race dares to unite. From the glittering runway to the emotional werkroom confessions, this show is more than a competition—it's a cultural classroom, where race, gender identity, and mental health intersect to teach us something revolutionary: everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated...
Apr 15


Baby Reindeer: A Darkly Hilarious Look at Trauma, Power, and Redemption
Netflix's 2024 British black comedy-drama thriller Baby Reindeer is a gripping and unpredictable miniseries that has taken audiences by...
Mar 29


Miss Congeniality: 25 Years Later – A Look at Perfectionism, Societal Judgement, and Women Thriving in a Male-Dominated World
When Miss Congeniality first graced theaters 25 years ago, it became an instant favorite, combining humor, action, and the magnetic...
Mar 21


Meet the Parents: Decoding the Psychological Profile of Jack Byrnes and His Impact on Family Dynamics
In Meet the Parents, Jack Byrnes' overbearing and controlling behavior highlights the impact of unresolved trauma and insecurity on family.
Mar 15


Unveiling the Mind: How A Beautiful Mind Sheds Light on Schizophrenia
When we think about mental health in mainstream media, it’s often portrayed in a one-dimensional way: someone is either "fine" or...
Feb 28


Cal Trask’s Battle for Redemption: Unraveling the Struggles of Identity in East of Eden
In the iconic film East of Eden, directed by Elia Kazan and based on John Steinbeck’s novel, we are introduced to Cal Trask, a character...
Feb 20


The Whale: A Wake-Up Call for Self-Acceptance and the Dangerous Delusion of Escaping Reality
Darren Aronofsky's The Whale is a harrowing exploration of pain, guilt, and self-destruction. With Brendan Fraser’s powerful portrayal of...
Feb 9
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