Exploring Mental Health Through the Lens of Literature and Cinema

                                                                                                                                             - Angel Shaina

Mental health is a topic that literature has explored for centuries, offering profound insights into the struggles, complexities, and triumphs of the human mind. From novels and short stories to poetry, these narratives help us better understand the invisible battles people face and the emotions that are often left unspoken. On the 26th of September 2024, the English Department hosted a thought-provoking mental health awareness program that emphasized the role of literature and cinema in destigmatizing mental health issues. Led by two speakers from the Department of Postgraduate Studies in Psychology, Miss Tessi and Miss Vaidehi, the event provided an enlightening discussion on how literature and film have historically contributed to the conversation around mental health.

Mental Health in Literature: A Window Into the Soul

The speakers explored how key literary works have illustrated mental health challenges. Rajinder Singh Bedi’s Lajwanti, for example, captures the psychological trauma faced by women during the partition of India, shedding light on the enduring emotional scars of this historical event. Similarly, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath paints a vivid picture of the mental anguish experienced by individuals struggling through the Great Depression. The powerful poem Mental Cases by Wilfred Owen was also discussed, highlighting how Owen’s portrayal of soldiers’ mental suffering in World War I made a lasting contribution to mental health awareness in literature.

Mental Health in Cinema: Changing Perceptions

In addition to literature, the discussion turned to how cinema plays a significant role in raising awareness about mental health. Dear Zindagi (2016), featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, was recognized for its sensitive depiction of therapy and emotional well-being, breaking the taboo around seeking professional help for mental issues. Other films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and Marma (2002) were praised for their portrayal of psychological conditions like split personality disorder and PTSD, using storytelling to bring mental health issues to the forefront of public discourse.

"Don't let your past blackmail your present to ruin a beautiful future."
                – Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), Dear Zindagi

                                                                   

Literature and Film as Catalysts for Change

Literature and film possess a unique power to shift societal perspectives and spark important conversations. The mental health awareness program highlighted how these artistic mediums provide an empathetic lens through which we can better understand mental illness. By portraying characters and stories that explore the nuances of mental health, these works contribute to destigmatizing mental health issues, encouraging openness, understanding, and compassion.

As readers and viewers, we are invited to reflect on the mental health narratives we encounter in fiction, poetry, and cinema. By engaging with these stories, we not only gain a deeper awareness of mental health but also become part of the movement toward a more inclusive and compassionate society.