At the Geena Davis Institute, we recognize the power of media to shape culture, and we work to shine a light on portrayals that perpetuate harmful norms, especially when they are unconsciously perpetuated. This includes narratives about mental health. We recently conducted a study about mental health portrayals on screen in the US and uncovered notable gender gaps.
Mental health issues are common, but only 20% of children in the US with such issues receive appropriate care from mental health professionals. This is especially the case for boys and men. For example, according to Equimundo’s State of American Men report in 2023, 44% of American men had thought about suicide in the past two weeks. Despite this prevalence, men are much less likely than women to receive mental health services or treatment. In fact, 66% of American men agreed with the statement “Men should figure out their personal problems on their own without asking others for help,” according to the “Man Box” study.
Why is this the case? One source is the stigma around mental health and stereotypes about what it means to be a man. Boys and men have mental health struggles like anyone else, but they face a great deal of social pressure to maintain stoicism, strength, and self-reliance, and because of this, they don’t seek help when they should, or may not even recognize they need it. When men are asked to describe what it means to be a man, they commonly mention controlling their emotions. According to the “Man Box” study, 75% of US respondents agreed with the statement “Guys should act strong even if they feel scared or nervous inside.” As a result, instead of seeking help, confiding in people, or openly speaking about their struggles, many men keep these things to themselves. In so doing, they do not risk their masculine identity, but their mental health can further suffer.
Where do young men learn what it means to be a man? They learn from their parents, other leaders in their lives, as well as from the media they consume. Stories in media that present a narrow vision of manhood aren’t good for men or for the people in their lives. Some common mental health tropes in media include “the tough guy,” who is a boy or man with difficulty expressing his feelings and being vulnerable, especially when he is experiencing a traumatic event (e.g., the death of a partner or parent) or is having negative thoughts. The “tough guy” trope reinforces two key pillars of the “Man Box”: He keeps his emotions to himself (self-sufficiency), and he acts tough rather than expressing his emotions. Another trope is that mental health conditions imply weakness. This occurs when characters with mental health issues are characterized as failing because they let their issues get to them and affect their lives. But mental health issues are not a sign of weakness, and new narratives—and male characters who express themselves—can teach boys and men to recognize mental health issues, seek help, and have happier, healthier lives.
So, what mental health messages are children and teens exposed to on TV? To get a sense of this, we collected data about mental health portrayals in 409 episodes of scripted television from 2021–2022 that were popular with children and teens, according to Nielsen data. We then conducted statistical analyses to learn how on-screen portrayals of mental health varied by gender.
First, we found that characters with mental health conditions are uncommon: Just 1.3% of prominent characters had an explicit mental health condition. Even so, some interesting gender differences emerged among this group. For example, when looking at the types of conditions that were shown, we found that male characters were about twice as likely as female characters to struggle with substance use disorder. But men on screen are three times less likely than women to be shown with mood disorders, and 12 times less likely to struggle with self-harm. Put simply, on-screen narratives suggest substance use disorders are more permissible for men than other issues.
Second, we found that female characters with explicit mental health issues were twice as likely as male characters to seek treatment in the form of therapy and/or medication (50.0% vs. 21.3%). Female characters with explicit mental health issues were also more likely than male characters to openly discuss their condition (52.8% vs. 29.5%). In other words, on-screen narratives are reproducing stereotypes around men seeking help.
Last, we found that female characters were more than twice as likely as their male counterparts to be shown crying (44.4% vs. 19.7%), and 1.4 times as likely to talk about their feelings (80.6% vs. 57.4%). In short, narratives are reinforcing gender norms about emotional expression.
Our findings suggest that televised portrayals of mental health reinforce tropes such as the stoic man who doesn’t ask for help or talk about his feelings, while women on screen are free to express themselves and seek help.
But we can change this narrative.
Here are three recommendations for creators and executives:
- Diversify the types of mental health conditions experienced by male characters.
People from all genders deal with mental health issues of all kinds. Show female characters dealing with substance use disorder and male characters struggling with eating disorders and mood disorders. This can challenge preconceived notions about who faces these conditions and help people who struggle with those issues feel less alone. - Show more male characters seeking treatment for their mental health conditions.
Include narratives where boys and men actively seek out help from professionals or loved ones. Make these narratives clear and explicit. This can provide a blueprint for viewers who may be struggling with similar situations. For example, in an episode of The Neighborhood, the family of Victor, who struggles with addiction, encourages Victor to get help, and he responds positively and agrees. - Include storylines that portray boys and men freely expressing their emotions.
Show men and boys who unapologetically show a range of emotions––from happiness to sadness and anger. This can demonstrate for viewers that it’s okay for boys and men to feel their feelings, rather than repress them. For example, in an episode of 911, a male character cries tears of joy when he asks his partner to marry him.
Here are three recommendations for parents and media consumers:
- Promote media literacy and critical viewing skills.
When watching media with friends and family, point out common tropes like the “tough guy” and discuss why these portrayals can be reductive and harmful. - Share shows that offer positive representations of mental health and gender.
Recommend shows and media that promote positive mental health portrayals, especially where boys and men discuss their feelings and express themselves. - Model and encourage open conversations about mental health.
Share your feelings and talk openly about mental health with your friends and family, to set a positive example. Foster an environment where friends and family feel comfortable sharing their feelings without fear of judgment.
