Over the past years, mental health has become part of the public conversation in an attempt to destigmatize it. However, in spite of how open we’ve become about the matter, it’s still a subject not many are willing to discuss in a public sphere. Along with it comes an awareness of how the media -one of the most (if not the most) consumed products of our society- deals with these subjects. We don’t have to dive in that much in the wide catalog of movies and series to realize how hard it is for content to be aware and, at the same time, inspiring to open these conversations.
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Now, in an attempt to stop that stigmatization and to avoid empty representations (or understanding) of mental conditions, the popular cable network HBO, partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), will soon add disclaimers in some of its shows dealing with these subjects to encourage viewers to discuss and learn more about mental health and the experiences behind them. Following the classic structure of movie and TV series ratings, HBO will add information about the specific mental issue explored in the show, so the viewer can get an idea of the type of experience they will be dealing with.
The purpose of these disclaimers isn’t just to inform viewers about the different types of mental conditions, but to give a call to action for those who might be experiencing something similar or even those with someone close dealing with these conditions. In that way, shows will no longer become an entertainment product, but something that could inspire and help people relate to the characters and encourage them to find help.
All this is part of HBO’s initiative called “It’s OK,” the main purpose of which, as Jason Mulderig (vice president of brand and product marketing of the network) explains, is to “encourage more conversation around the different facets of mental health [...] We’re not saying ‘viewer discretion is adviced.’ We’re saying ‘viewer conversation is encouraged.” The initiative also includes short clips called Doctor Commentaries, in which clinical psychologist Dr. Ali Mattu, will give 3-minute explanations of the specific mental condition dealt with in some of their most important shows.
Some of the shows that will soon be part of the initiative are Barry, Euphoria, Girls, and The Sopranos, among others. These are some of the most popular series of the platform and the network, which means that the message will reach an important amount of people that could be benefited from the initiative. This is just the beginning, and it could inspire other networks and companies to be part of it.
Here’s the first episode of Doctor Commentaries, where Mattu discusses OCD in Girls:
