Student Research Guide WQ25/ How Films Shape Perceptions of Mental Health

• Cinema has been proven to be a truly influential form of media. It has been used for various reasons throughout history that expand beyond the entertainment history.

• Films, such as Split, have misrepresented dissociative identity disorder (DID). This has sparked conversations among mental health professionals, as well as those with the disorder. This film is labeled a thriller and depicts the character with DID to be villainous and someone to be feared. 

• It is common for people with disorders to be demonized, commonly criminalized and misrepresented. 

• When mental illness is repeatedly paired with criminal activity, violence, and related subjects, it adds to the stigma and stereotypes already surrounding the disorder.

• Viewing movies about mental health allow the audience to have a better understanding of mental health, therefore extending their capacity for empathy towards individuals struggling in real life.

• Representation of mental health in media matters due to how it impacts willingness to seek help. 
• The film industry went through a period of time where censorship posed a true problem to movie making. Subjects deemed inappropriate were unable to get off the ground. When these rules were challenged, there came financial threats. Movies were considered influential enough to be deemed a threat.

• Films that promote healthy coping mechanisms and treatment such as talk therapy positively influence those who are struggling.

Researching can be difficult in the field of psychology, as new knowledge is constantly gathered at a rate quicker than the information can be published. It is recommended to look through a wide variety of sources, as understanding social, cultural, and other different contributing factors is vital when observing human behaviors and mental health. It is helpful to avoid narrowing your searches to an extent, as it can get difficult to find helpful sources. Try to keep in mind that there is an abundance of terms that are somewhat interchangeable (e.g. "mental illness" and "mental disorder"), so it will be helpful to try different combinations of search terms.

I chose my topic by combining two subjects I'm deeply passionate about, which are mental health and cinematography. It was interesting to be able to explore these two interests as one unit. After this research, my knowledge on both of these topics is much greater, and I believe that I can apply it to other research, as well as areas of my own life. I believe that this research is valuable because of the importance of mental health and ensuring that stigmas are not further spread. My appreciation for the hard work that researchers have put into this subject, as well as the field of psychology, has grown, and I hope that this research guide can assist someone in some way.