Depression is an extremely prevalent mental health issue for teens and can be difficult to comprehend or treat effectively. Luckily, movies about teen depression provide viewers with insight and help educate viewers.
Melinda begins her freshman year of high school feeling alienated and isolated after calling the police on a party she found suspicious. Gradually, however, Melinda forms an unlikely bond with eccentric art teacher Mr. Freeman and finds comfort from him in conversation.
Girl, Interrupted
Girl, Interrupted has been widely criticized for its simplistic portrayal of mental illness (the film is based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir about being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder), but its impact remains profound. Winona Ryder manages a convincing performance as Susanna after trying to commit suicide with aspirin and vodka; Angelina Jolie manages to portray an emotionally complex character even while often appearing either charming or overbearing in other roles.
Susanna finds herself immersed in an array of disturbed young women with psychological diagnoses ranging from self-immolation to eating only chicken from her father’s deli, as she attempts to identify what is behind her own problems.
Prozac Nation
Erik Skjoldbjaerg’s drama based on Elizabeth Wurtzel’s memoir detailing her struggle with clinical depression had its premiere at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival before it was shelved by Miramax, but Christina Ricci’s apparently powerful performance – including her first topless scene – persuaded studio officials to revive it for DVD sale.
Lizzie (Ricci), an undergraduate attending Harvard on a journalism scholarship, finds herself spiraling downward into self-destructive behaviors as she spends her days partying and taking drugs while trying to escape her neurotic mother (Jessica Lange) and past relationships with both of her photographers fathers (Jeff Reisner). As depression sets in and rage builds inside of her, it becomes a hell ride for everyone involved.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky’s written-director Stephen Chbosky also penned the original 1999 novel on which this film is based and has an exceptional talent for showing what life is like for young people growing up in today’s pop culture-driven environment.
This film, featuring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson (in her first post-Harry Potter role), takes place during high school when Charlie writes to an anonymous friend detailing his adventures–first dates, family drama, new friends, sex and drugs use, The Rocky Horror Picture Show experience as well as grieving for lost loves ones.
Though it doesn’t shy away from more painful realities, the film offers an intelligent and humorous tribute to friends as support and salvation – including how one particular song or shared activity can have such a transformative power over our emotions.
Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko was among the first movies to popularize anxiety and depression as traits to flaunt in movies or television shows before 2010. Before 2010, mental health issues rarely made appearances in films or shows. Now many people openly acknowledge having anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder or depression as something cool about themselves.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Donnie Darko, an intelligent yet rebellious teenager who believes the world is about to end. Acting out at school – such as flooding science classes with water and setting housefires (this movie also stars Patrick Swayze). While this melodramatic film can be comical at times, its primary subject matter is mental illness – making it a timeless cult classic.
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is an enjoyable and uplifting movie if you can look past some cliched elements such as grandpa smoking heroin and state troopers looking like Super Troopers; plus porn magazines! It demonstrates how family can overcome almost any hardship or absurdity.
Although this film is meant as a comedy, it explores various types of mental illness. Olive’s hope of winning a beauty pageant, her overworked mother Sheryl, Richard who lectures self-help seminars but seems depressed himself, and Uncle Frank (her attempted suicide attempt) all struggle to find balance in their chaotic lives – but Olive is determined enough to find one! Eventually her perseverance keeps the group together.