Construction Inclusion Week Mental Health Resources: Section 5
Watch & Reflect: Documentaries, Talks, & Movies
Access visual resources that foster empathy, awareness, and relatable insights into mental health, using storytelling to bridge understanding and personal reflection.
Sometimes, seeing and hearing others’ experiences can resonate more deeply than words alone. This section curates documentaries and talks that blend personal narratives, clinical expertise, and cultural context to shed light on mental health. Whether you’re seeking validation for your own journey or aiming to better understand the challenges others face, these visual stories are tools for education, empathy, and connection. Sit back, press play, and let these voices remind you that you’re part of a broader, shared human experience.
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The Impact of Storytelling on Mental Health
Stories have always shaped how we understand the world—and mental health is no exception. Documentaries and candid talks cut through stigma by putting faces and voices to struggles often hidden in silence. For you, watching these narratives can normalize conversations about mental health, making it easier to recognize your own experiences or support others. When statistics become stories, empathy grows, and isolation shrinks. This section emphasizes how visual storytelling doesn’t just inform; it transforms perspectives.
Expert Perspectives Meets Lived Experience
In these films and talks, clinicians, researchers, and advocates unpack complexities—from depression to resilience—while individuals share raw, unfiltered journeys. This duality offers you both knowledge and relatability: the "why" behind mental health challenges and the "how" of navigating them. For example, a neuroscientist might explain anxiety’s mechanics, while a construction worker describes its daily impact on-site. By blending expertise with authenticity, these resources equip you with insights that feel both intellectual and deeply human.
Creating Space for Reflection and Conversation
After watching, you might find yourself pausing to reflect or discuss what you’ve learned. These stories aren’t passive; they’re catalysts. Journal your reactions, share a film with your team, or use them as entry points for vulnerable conversations. This section encourages you to engage actively with the content—letting it challenge assumptions, validate feelings, or inspire action. Mental health shifts from abstraction to lived truth when stories move you to see, feel, and connect differently.
Resources
Whether you're assessing your emotional foundations, connecting with immediate support, or seeking professional guidance, the following resources work alongside your strengths to keep you strong on and off the job.
DOCUMENTARIES
Man Up
BBC’s Jack Rooke explores male suicide, grief, and masculinity with honesty and humor.
Topics & Themes: Suicide, grief, loss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmF9nE422vI
The Mind, Explained
A Netflix docuseries that breaks down anxiety, mindfulness, memory, and more in accessible language.
Topics & Themes: Mental illness, trauma-related terms
https://www.netflix.com/title/81098586
Bedlam
Offers a raw, unflinching look at America’s mental health crisis.
Topics & Themes: Severe mental illness, institutionalization
https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/bedlam/
Anxiety and Me
Nadiya Hussain discusses her lifelong struggle with panic disorder in this intimate BBC documentary.
Topics & Themes: Anxiety, trauma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLUmNKaVCcQ
The Secret Life of Lele Pons
Social media star Lele Pons opens up about living with OCD and Tourette’s.
Topics & Themes: OCD, self-harm, mental health stigma
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbpi6ZahtOH7r2jzF6PzXwYgkN7j6yA3F
The Mask You Live In
Investigates how boys in the U.S. are socialized to suppress emotions, and the cost of that repression.
Topics & Themes: Toxic masculinity, identity, emotional trauma
https://www.therepresentationproject.org/film/the-mask-you-live-in
Untold: Breaking Point
Tennis player Mardy Fish reveals his experience with anxiety at the height of his career.
Topics & Themes: Performance pressure, panic attacks
https://www.netflix.com/title/81026437
Bo Burnham: Inside
Filmed during the pandemic, this introspective special reflects on isolation, creativity, and existential dread.
Topics & Themes: Depression, loneliness, suicide reference
https://www.netflix.com/title/81289483
Finding Balance
A reflective film on the importance of self-care, pacing, and emotional regulation in everyday life.
Topics & Themes: Burnout, anxiety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnttDp_C6FE
The Clubhouse: A Year with the Boston Red Sox
MLB player Jarren Duran shares his journey through depression and a suicide attempt, aiming to inspire openness in professional sports.
Topics & Themes: Suicide, depression, performance anxiety
https://www.netflix.com/title/81602059
Out of Mind, Out of Sight
Explores the lives of four patients at a forensic psychiatric hospital, shedding light on the complexities of mental illness and the criminal justice system.
Topics & Themes: Severe mental illness, institutionalization, violence
www.amazon.com/Out-Mind-Sight-John-Kastner/dp/B07FPXL7RD
Boy Interrupted
A filmmaker-mother’s heartbreaking film about the suicide of her 15-year-old son, offering an intimate look at childhood bipolar disorder.
Topics & Themes: Suicide, bipolar disorder, grief
www.hulu.com/movie/boy-interrupted-1a780d48-070c-4fe9-980f-fb418a106fd5
The Wounds We Cannot See
An unflinching true story of one woman’s life battling addiction, PTSD, and mental illness in a search for redemption.
Topics & Themes: PTSD, trauma, addiction, sexual abuse
www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Wounds-We-Cannot-See/0RIDI06XDBBDKXY6W2SOVPKB7I
TED TALKS
TED Playlist: The Struggle of Mental Health
Talks on personal journeys, scientific insights, and tools for managing mental illness.
https://www.ted.com/playlists/175/the_struggle_of_mental_health
Heather Wokusch – “Protecting Mental Health in Crazy Times”
Offers a practical to-do list for staying mentally well in tough periods.
https://www.ted.com/talks/heather_wokusch_protecting_mental_health_in_crazy_times_a_to_do_list
Glenn Close – “My Mission to Change the Narrative of Mental Health”
Actress Glenn Close shares her family’s story and discusses stigma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5UT0K_NEig
Johann Hari: This could be why you’re depressed or anxious
Journalist Johann Hari explores the underlying causes of depression and anxiety, suggesting that disconnection from meaningful values and relationships may be significant contributors.
www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_this_could_be_why_you_re_depressed_or_anxious
Lisa Damour: 3 steps of anxiety overload — and how you can take back control
Psychologist Lisa Damour outlines a three-step process to manage overwhelming anxiety, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing stressors effectively.
www.ted.com/talks/lisa_damour_3_steps_of_anxiety_overload_and_how_you_can_take_back_control
Wendy Suzuki: How to calm your anxiety, from a neuroscientist
Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki shares evidence-based techniques, including physical activity and mindfulness, to transform anxiety into a tool for enhancing performance and well-being.
www.ted.com/talks/wendy_suzuki_how_to_calm_your_anxiety_from_a_neuroscientist
Nikki Webber Allen: Don’t suffer from your depression in silence
Producer and activist Nikki Webber Allen discusses the stigma surrounding mental health and the importance of open conversations to foster understanding and support.
www.ted.com/talks/nikki_webber_allen_don_t_suffer_from_your_depression_in_silence
Eleanor Longden: The voices in my head
Psychologist Eleanor Longden recounts her experience with schizophrenia, challenging misconceptions and advocating for a more compassionate approach to mental illness.
www.ted.com/talks/eleanor_longden_the_voices_in_my_head
Phillip J. Roundtree: Black Mental Health Matters
An impassioned talk on the impact of trauma on Black identity and wellness, and why America’s current conversation on mental health is inadequate.
www.ted.com/talks/phillip_j_roundtree_black_mental_health_matters
Kevin Breel: Confessions of a depressed comic
Comedian Kevin Breel offers a candid look at his struggle with depression, highlighting the contrast between outward appearances and internal battles.
www.ted.com/talks/kevin_breel_confessions_of_a_depressed_comic
Sangu Delle: There’s no shame in taking care of your mental health
Entrepreneur Sangu Delle discusses the challenges of seeking mental health support in African communities and emphasizes the importance of self-care.
www.ted.com/talks/sangu_delle_there_s_no_shame_in_taking_care_of_your_mental_health
Jeremy Forbes: How to start a conversation about suicide
Community leader Jeremy Forbes shares strategies for initiating conversations about suicide, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue.
www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_forbes_how_to_start_a_conversation_about_suicide
Hailey Hardcastle: Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools
Student advocate Hailey Hardcastle discusses the implementation of mental health days in schools, promoting the idea that taking breaks is essential for well-being.
Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend
In this insightful talk, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal challenges the conventional view of stress as purely harmful. She presents research suggesting that changing our perception of stress can actually make us healthier. By embracing stress and viewing it as a positive, we can improve our well-being and resilience.
www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend
Jelan Agnew: Black Folk Mental Health: Generational Trauma, Traditions & Truth
Discusses generational trauma in the Black community and the importance of acknowledging and healing from it.
www.ted.com/talks/jelan_agnew_black_folk_mental_health_generational_trauma_traditions_and_truth
MOVIES
Movies can entertain while also shedding light on mental health themes. This section presents a selection of films that explore emotional challenges, personal transformation, and the realities of mental health through powerful storytelling. Some are based on true stories; others use fiction to bring real struggles to life.
My Dead Friend Zoe
A darkly humorous drama about a veteran coping with PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and the lingering presence of her deceased best friend.
Topics & Themes: PTSD, grief, military trauma
Silver Linings Playbook
A man with bipolar disorder and a woman coping with loss form an unexpected connection.
Topics & Themes: Bipolar disorder, grief, emotional volatility
www.amazon.com/Silver-Linings-Playbook-Bradley-Cooper/dp/B00BYKIKJS
Short Term 12
A young supervisor at a group home for at-risk teens finds her own unresolved trauma mirrored in the lives of the youth she cares for. A deeply empathetic and quietly powerful portrait of pain, trust, and resilience.
Topics & Themes: Childhood trauma, foster care, abuse recovery, self-harm, trust-building
www.amazon.com/Short-Term-12-Brie-Larson/dp/B00I0V05JA
Pariah
A quietly powerful story of a 17-year-old Black lesbian navigating identity, repression, and coming out in a conservative Brooklyn household.
Topics & Themes: Repression, family rejection, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, self-acceptance
www.amazon.com/Pariah-Adepero-Oduye/dp/B007JP4LZC
Tarnation
A genre-defying autobiographical film blending home videos and surreal editing, exploring the filmmaker’s childhood trauma and his mother’s schizophrenia.
Topics & Themes: Childhood trauma, family mental illness, artistic self-expression
www.amazon.com/Tarnation-Jonathan-Caouette/dp/B001APKL2Q
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
A teenager checks himself into a psychiatric ward, where he finds humor and healing among new friends.
Topics & Themes: Depression, suicide ideation
www.amazon.com/Kind-Funny-Story-Keir-Gilchrist/dp/B004GBFF5Y
The Machinist
A factory worker suffering from insomnia experiences psychological unraveling.
Topics & Themes: Delusion, psychosis, insomnia
www.amazon.com/Machinist-Brad-Anderson/dp/B0DWLSSLRV
Waves
An emotionally intense story about a suburban Black family unraveling after a traumatic event, focused on a teen boy under emotional pressure.
Topics & Themes: Emotional repression, toxic masculinity, grief, guilt, Black family dynamics
www.amazon.com/Waves-Kelvin-Harrison-Jr/dp/B082PZJ2P5
Lars and the Real Girl
A socially awkward man enters a delusional relationship with a life-size doll, prompting his community to show deep compassion.
Topics & Themes: Delusional disorder, loneliness
The Beaver
A man struggling with depression begins communicating through a hand puppet, using it as a coping mechanism.
Topics & Themes: Depression, family conflict
www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-beaver
Little Miss Sunshine
A dysfunctional family embarks on a road trip to support their daughter’s beauty pageant dreams, revealing personal struggles along the way.
Topics & Themes: Depression, suicide, family dynamics
www.amazon.com/Little-Miss-Sunshine-Abigail-Breslin/dp/B000M2SM92
Infinitely Polar Bear
A father with bipolar disorder attempts to care for his daughters while their mother completes her education.
Topics & Themes: Bipolar disorder, parenting challenges
https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/infinitely-polar-bear/umc.cmc.5l8wkzbfz9z3m419asjtdx27b
Beautiful Boy
Based on the real-life story of a father and son navigating the son’s addiction and relapse cycles.
Topics & Themes: Substance abuse, overdose, relapse
www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Boy-Timothee-Chalamet/dp/B08B4XGYGC
Gun Hill Road
A Puerto Rican father returns from prison to discover that his teen child is transitioning. A moving portrait of family, identity, and emotional upheaval.
Topics & Themes: Gender identity, family conflict, masculinity, trauma, cultural barriers
www.amazon.com/Gun-Hill-Road-Esai-Morales/dp/B0062FO3YW
The Skeleton Twins
Estranged twins reconnect after separate suicide attempts, discovering humor and healing in their pain.
Topics & Themes: Suicide, depression, family dysfunction
www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/the-skeleton-twins/d401e49b-426e-3730-85de-b907d1bbaeb2
To the Bone
A young woman with anorexia enters a group treatment home. Candid and respectful of complexity.
Topics & Themes: Anorexia, family pressure, recovery, identity
www.netflix.com/title/80171659
The Unsaid
A psychologist grieving his son’s suicide becomes involved in the treatment of a teenage boy with a disturbing past.
Topics & Themes: Suicide, grief, PTSD, trauma recovery
www.amazon.com/Unsaid-Andy-Garcia/dp/B000065V34
Los Lobos
A poetic semi-autobiographical film about two young Mexican-American boys navigating displacement and loneliness while their single mother works to provide for them.
Topics & Themes: Immigration stress, childhood resilience, emotional suppression, maternal mental health
www.amazon.com/Los-Lobos-Maximiliano-Najar-Marcado/dp/B093RZ5ZMN
Imaginary Heroes
After the suicide of a high-achieving son, a suburban family fractures and begins to rebuild, uncovering longburied emotional truths.
Topics & Themes: Suicide, family dynamics, suppressed emotion, grief
www.amazon.com/Imaginary-Heroes-Sigourney-Weaver/dp/B0007ZGHAU
Personal Assessment
Gentle Prompts for Reflection
What mental health topics do I wish I understood better? Could a documentary or talk help?
Have I ever seen a film about mental health that changed my perspective? What stood out?
How comfortable am I discussing mental health themes after watching educational content?
Who in my life might benefit from watching these resources? Could we discuss them together?
What emotions or questions arise when I see others share their mental health journeys?
Quotes for Reflection
"Stories are the most powerful weapon we have against silence and misunderstanding." — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
"The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable." — Kurt Vonnegut
"Your story matters. Your feelings are valid. Your voice deserves to be heard." — Glenn Close
"Film is the universal language… it lets us walk in someone else’s shoes for a while." — Alejandro González Iñárritu
"Healing begins where the wound was made." — Alice Walker
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