The Heart's Way

Men, Movies, and Mental Health: Clinical Considerations

Men, Movies, and Mental Health

Clinical Considerations

The Heart’s Way for Creative Clinicians

June was Men’s Mental Health Month. A time to highlight men’s mental health issues. One way to continue this conversation is through Men, Movies, and Mental Health: Clinical Considerations. Men are drawn to movies that speak to them, to what it means to be a man, to subjects that are important to men. Adding discussions of favorite movies with your male clients may be a helpful way to delve into their thoughts and feelings about their concerns. This is known as Cinema Therapy. More about that in a moment.

My husband is an avid movie viewer. He has specific movies that he watches over and over again. There seems to be a pattern to the types of movies he enjoys. Bold, adventuresome movies with a good dash of the struggle between good guys and bad guys. He has told me “We [men] are made to be warriors. To fight the good fight. To fight against evil.”

Something else I’ve noticed is that my husband, although not an overly emotional man, will get teary-eyed while watching these movies. At these moments he is more open to talk about his feelings. In observing my husband over the years, I have come to believe that movies may be a way to normalize the conversation with men about their feelings and emotional issues. Thus, Men, Movies, and Mental Health: Clinical Considerations may be an important addition to treatment strategies for men and mental health issues.

Statistics

According to Mindwise, here are a few statistics regarding men’s mental health issues:

In General

In general, men may struggle with asking for help, especially mental health help. Men have traditionally been taught (especially in the baby-boomer and pre-baby boomer generations) to be strong. And that showing emotions is a sign of weakness.

Men may wonder if they have what it takes. They sometimes have difficulty with social relationships and talking about their feelings. There is a belief that they should be able to fix their problems on their own. Not being able to do so will put a burden on others. If men ask for help, there is a fear that they will lose their sense of authority with others and that they will appear vulnerable.

Factors That Can Lead to Male Mental Health Issues

According to MentalHelp.net, there are a range of factors that can contribute to the development of mental health issues in men:

How Do Movies Fit Into This Conversation?

How do movies fit into this conversation about men’s mental health issues? As previously mentioned, Cinema Therapy, or viewing and discussing movies can be a great way to normalize situations and elicit emotions in a non-threatening and guilt-free way.

What is Cinema Therapy?

“Cinema Therapy is a form of therapy or self-help that uses movies, particularly videos, as therapeutic tools. Cinema therapy can be a catalyst for healing and growth for those who are open to learning how movies affect people and to watching certain films with conscious awareness. Cinema therapy allows one to use the effect of imagery, plot, music, etc. in films on the psyche for insight, inspiration, emotional release or relief and natural change. Used as part of psychotherapy, cinema therapy is an innovative method based on traditional therapeutic principles.”

Segen’s Medical Dictionary

In the Men’s Health article, 18 Films That Explore Mental Illness (February 25, 2021), author Evan Romano relates:

“A movie doesn’t need a big fight or a giant action set piece to be exciting or interesting. In fact, sometimes the best films – or aspects of films – come from looking inward for sources of turmoil that can feel more real and be more relatable for viewers than any gunfight or car chase.”

“In fact, a movie doesn’t even need to be about mental illness or mental health to be part of the ongoing surrounding conversation. That could be a good way to normalize the conversation.”

Evan Romano

Movies to Consider

Here are 6 examples of movies that may be appealing to men. Several of these films are on my husband’s “Top Movies” list. I’ve included trailer videos of each one, in case you’re not familiar with them.

1. Braveheart

Braveheart tells the story of William Wallace (Mel Gibson), who was a Scottish freedom fighter many centuries ago. This movie, according to my husband, depicts “the fight for justice and freedom.”

Braveheart

2. Rob Roy

In 18th century Scotland, Robert Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) is the head of a Scottish cattle herding clan. Trouble befalls Rob financially and he is unable to feed his clans-people as a result. In his efforts to pay back a loan secured from the ruling government of the time, his friend is murdered and his wife is raped. My husband was moved by this film because, “No matter what the cost, he (Rob) does the right thing.”

Rob Roy

3. The Patriot

The Patriot is set during the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a veteran of the French and Indian War has renounced fighting in order to raise his family in peace. His eldest sons, however, become involved in the Revolutionary War efforts to oust the Redcoats. These sons are killed by a British Colonel, leaving Martin with the decision to once again take up arms to fight for America’s freedom and to instill justice.

The Patriot

4. Radio

This is the real life story of Robert “Radio” Kennedy (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a mentally challenged young man living in South Carolina. Local high school football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) develops a nurturing bond with Radio, which results in life-changing events for them both. Radio, a kind and trusting young man, is misunderstood and often bullied by others. As my husband put it, “This is a story of humanity, of compassion and a man’s desire to protect others from being bulled.”

Radio

5. Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook is a movie whose theme is directly related to mental health issues. Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) returns home to live with his parents after spending time in a psychiatric hospital. Prior to his hospitalization he lost his job as well as the relationship with his wife. His plan to rebuild his life is thwarted by his continued mental health issues and the challenges he faces in accepting mental health treatment. The movie follows Solatano in his journey to hope and help.

Silver Linings Playbook

6. Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting is the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a brilliant yet troubled young man who struggles with relationships and making good life decisions. Becoming involved in some legal problems, he is offered the opportunity to clean up his life by entering counseling with a psychology professor (Robin Williams). This is a story of Hunting’s issues with expressing his feelings, accepting kindness and compassion, and moving past issues of abuse.

Good Will Hunting

In Conclusion

So, that’s about it for Men, Movies, and Mental Health: Clinical Considerations. Talking about our feelings is important. And talking about how movies resonate with your male clients may be a way to open up or continue what otherwise may be difficult conversations. Remind your male clients that asking for help really is a sign of strength…and a way for them to take action to fix the problem.

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