Thoughts and Feelings

Any time a person’s thoughts, feelings, or related behaviors interfere with their ability to get things done, maintain relationships, or have a good quality of life, this can be defined as an emotional challenge or emotional struggle. These types of storylines, which exist in almost every type of entertainment media, give storytellers the opportunity to dig deeper into common emotional experiences, show what healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms look like, portray the connection between everyday emotions and larger mental health struggles, and demonstrate the power of seeking help before we are at a point of crisis. 

• Apathy
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Guilt
• Hopelessness
• Loneliness
• Regret
• Sadness
• Shame
• Stress

Situations, Transitions and Trauma

The events, situations, and transitions people face can impact their mental health in that moment, but they can also have more significant, longer-term effects. Challenging life events can cause or worsen mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. They can also trigger dangerous behaviors like substance misuse, self-harm, or suicide in people who are already struggling emotionally. 

Some life events have been documented as particularly concerning for our mental health and well-being. For example, the majority of suicides by teenagers and young adults are preceded by a breakup or other relationship issue. The intent here is not to imply that breakups cause suicide, but that difficult transitions can be contributing factors for individuals who are already struggling or at higher risk for suicide. Job loss, sudden changes in financial status, and the death of a loved one are also circumstances that have the potential to significantly harm our state of mind and quality of life. 

Identifying the situations or life events in your story that could have a potentially negative impact on mental health can help you to take early action to portray these situations authentically, as well as showing how people can support themselves and others through difficult periods of our lives. 

Get started with information on difficult or traumatic experiences. 

• Academic Pressure
• Accidents
• Breakups or Divorce
• Bullying
• Childhood Trauma
• Combat/War
• Death of Loved One
• Discrimination
• Disease or Illness
• Domestic Abuse 
• Drug or Alcohol Misuse
• Family Conflict
• Family Rejection (Because of Sexual Orientation, Career Choices, etc)
• Financial Hardships
• Job Loss
• Natural Disasters
• Relationship Problems
• Sexual Assault/Rape
• Stalking
• Violence
• Work Pressure

Mental Health Conditions

A mental health condition is defined by the impact, severity, and longevity of an emotional struggle. Each mental health condition has different risk factors, warning signs, symptoms, lived experiences, and treatment strategies. Accurately portraying the onset and impact of these conditions, and what help-seeking and treatment look like to manage them, can reduce fear and increase the likelihood that people who might be struggling will reach out for help. 

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Substance Use Disorder

Identities and Communities

Some groups are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health struggles than others, typically as a consequence of stressors they may be facing, like discrimination, rejection from family or community, mistreatment in the workplace, access to culturally competent care, or cultural norms and beliefs that make it harder to seek help. Understanding how mental health interplays with a character’s experience and background increases the likelihood that audiences will recognize themselves in the stories we tell and seek help when they need it.

• Abuse Survivors
• Asian
• Black
• Women
• Latinx
• LGBTQ+
• Military/Veterans
• Muslim/Middle Eastern/North African
• Native/Indigenous
• Seniors
• Suicide Survivors
• Trauma Survivors
• Youth/Young Adults