Staff Picks
Focusing on Mental Health
- Allison T.
- Wednesday, May 01
Collection
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take a look at one of these films that center on issues related to mental health.
Antwone Fisher
Published in 2003
Inspired by true life experiences, Antwone Fisher tells the story of a troubled sailor who is ordered to see a naval psychiatrist about his violent temper. What follows is a journey to his troubled past and connection with the family he never knew.
Beautiful Boy
Published in 2011
Bill and Kate hopelessly try to find some hint of an explanation after finding out that their only son committed a mass shooting at his university before taking his own life. They struggle numbly through the funeral, the media onslaught, and the awkward pity from relatives and friends. Their already strained marriage is tested as they realize all they have left with each other is their shared grief and confusion, and the unfortunate legacy of their son.
A Beautiful Mind
Published in 2006
The true story of a troubled Princeton mathematician who is able to overcome years of suffering from schizophrenia to win the Nobel Prize.
Ben is Back
Published in 2019
Ben Burns, a drug-addicted teenager, shows up unexpectedly to visit his family on Christmas Eve. His wary mother welcomes him, but after finding out he's still in danger, she must to do everything she can to help her family.
Black Swan
Published in 2011
In this psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet, an insecure ballet dancer wins the lead in Swan Lake. But she slowly loses her grip on reality with the ever-increasing pressures of perfection and direct competition from a seductive newcomer.
Girl Interrupted
Published in 2001
Based on Susanna Kaysen's best-selling memoir about her 18 month stay as an adolescent girl in a New England psychiatric hospital in the 1960's.
Good Will Hunting
Published in 2020
The most brilliant mind at America's top university isn't a student, he's the kid who cleans the floors! Will Hunting is a headstrong, working-class genius who's failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor, who might be the only man who can reach him.
Hiding in Plain Sight
Youth Mental Illness
Published in 2022
A two-part, four-hour documentary that explores America's youth mental health crisis through the eyes of more than twenty young people, who speak about their lived experience with mental health challenges, from depression to addiction to suicide ideation.
Infinitely Polar Bear
Published in 2016
When Cam has a manic breakdown that lands him in a mental hospital, his wife Maggie applies to business school and is accepted. Seeing this as her chance to build a better life for their daughters, Maggie asks Cam to become the primary caregiver for the girls while she completes her degree in New York. After all, routine is what the doctor ordered and the girls miss their dad. Cam agrees, hoping to rebuild his family. But the two spirited girls are not interested in making things easy for him.
Inside out
Published in 2015
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions ; Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley's mind, where they help advise her through everyday life.
It's Kind of a Funny Story
Published in 2011
Sometimes what's in your head isn't as crazy as you think. That's certainly true for Craig, a stressed-out teenager who checks himself into a mental health clinic for some time out. What he finds instead is an unlikely mentor, a potential new romance, and an opportunity to begin anew. Charming, witty, and smart, it's a coming-of-age story that's kind of a funny story.
The King of Staten Island
Published in 2020
Scott has been a case of arrested development ever since his firefighter father died when he was seven. He|s now reached his mid-20s having achieved little, living with his mother, spending his days smoking weed, hanging with the guys, and secretly hooking up with his girlfriend Kelsey. But when his mother starts dating a loudmouth firefighter named Ray, it sets off a chain of events that will force Scott to grapple with his grief and take his first tentative steps toward moving forward in life.
Life, Animated
Published in 2016
A coming-of-age story about a boy and his family who overcame great challenges by turning Disney animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship, and brotherhood.
Manchester by the Sea
Published in 2017
An uncle is forced to take care of his teenage nephew after the boy's father dies.
Matchstick Men
Published in 2009
Neurotic con man Roy suffers from several emotional problems, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. He and his partner Frank swindle people out of money. Frank wants to pull a really big job, but Roy is too consumed with fear and panic attacks to join him. Only cigarettes and his trusty illegal prescription drugs seem to keep him going. When Roy finds himself in desperate need of more pills, he is forced to see legitimate psychotherapist Dr. Klein. Roy discovers he has a daughter from his previous marriage and Dr. Klein suggests Roy spend time with her.
Ordinary People
Published in 1980
Powerful story of a family's struggle to deal with one son's accidental death and the other's subsequent guilt-ridden suicide attempt.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Published in 2013
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is based on the wildly popular novel by Stephen Chbosky about a freshman named Charlie who is always watching from the sidelines until a pair of charismatic seniors takes him under their wing. Beautiful, free-spirited Sam and her fearless stepbrother Patrick shepherd Charlie through new friendships, first love, burgeoning sexuality, bacchanalian parties, midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the quest for the perfect song.
Silver Linings Playbook
Published in 2013
Based on the bestselling book by Matthew Quick, the riotous and poignant story of how a man who has lost everything, his house, his job, his wife, reconnects with himself and creates his own silver linings from the bonds he forms with his family and friends.
The Skeleton Twins
Published in 2014
Maggie and Milo are estranged twins who are reunited after ten years of being apart. Follow their unforgettable journey to reconnect, as they realize that the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship.
The Soloist
Published in 2017
A Los Angeles newspaper reporter discovers a homeless musical prodigy while looking for a new article for the paper. The two form a unique friendship that will transform both their lives.
A Star is Born
Published in 2019
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. She has given up on her dream to become a successful singer, until she meets Jack, who immediately sees her natural talent. This is the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive.
Still Alice
Published in 2015
Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. Her struggle to stay connected to who she once was is frightening, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
Welcome to Me
Published in 2015
A year in the life of Alice Klieg, a woman with Borderline Personality Disorder who wins Mega-millions, quits her meds and buys her own talk show.
Wristcutters
A Love Story
Published in 2008
After slashing his wrists over a bad breakup with his girlfriend Desiree, Zia winds up in an afterlife for those who have committed suicide. When he discovers that Desiree is there too, he sets out on a road trip through an absurd purgatory to find her.