One in every five Americans struggles with mental health issues every year. Depression, Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and eating disorders are all issues that multiple people deal with in their daily life. Many people have made stereotypes about these disorders, but never truly understood how difficult it is to truly have them. This is where the media comes in; social media, television shows, movies, music, and much more are helping the public understand what mental health truly is and how it affects people. 

Popular TV shows such as Ginny and Georgia, Grey’s Anatomy, and 13 Reasons Why all include characters that suffer from some form of mental health issues. Ginny, played by Antonia Gentry, suffers from Anxiety and Depression. The show portrays what it is like for a teen to deal with these disorders and shows the public what it is truly like to live with them. Most of these popular shows have some kind of mental health disorder hidden in them. There have been plenty of movies in the media where mental health is portrayed. Movies like Girl, Interrupted, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and even Inside Out all have aspects that show mental health. 

Another form of representation in the media is social media. Countless content creators will share their personal stories and experiences for everyone to see. Many will share their stories in hope that it gives other people hope and someone to look up to. They hope they are seen as someone encouraging and comforting. Not only will people with that actual disorder share information, but multiple certified doctors will share information about these mental health disorders online. They will share what it truly is like to have the disorders, but they will also show behavioral qualities that many people don’t realize correspond with these disorders. 

The media makes a safe place where people can feel comfortable and brings awareness to the matter. Numerous people struggle with their mental health alone, but thanks to the media they are not alone anymore. I always like to think of a quote by Lisa Olivera, “Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.”