What Joker Got Wrong (and Right) About Mental Health

Changing Mental Health Conversations

“Joker” was released at the end of a decade Huffington Post coined as “the decade that changed the way we think about mental health.”

There have been huge shifts in awareness about mental health issues and more candid discussions about mental health conditions.

McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma is at the forefront of campaigns working to make mental health part of everyday discussion, not a shameful subject.

Mental Health in the Media

The media has increased awareness and conversation around mental health. This is due in part to deaths by suicide by well-known celebrities, including Robin Williams, Anthony Bourdain, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss.

With this awareness has come a shift on the silver screen with how films choose to portray mental health conditions.

“Hollywood has frequently depicted people with mental health conditions onscreen over the years. But many recent depictions have become more empathic and less sensational,” says McLean’s Benjamin J. Herbstman, MD, MHS.

“Since 2000, more than a few Academy Award nominees for Best Picture have compassionately explored mental health. “A Beautiful Mind” portrays psychotic disorders. “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Manchester by the Sea” include mood disorders. Substance misuse and suicide are integral to the story told in “A Star Is Born.” Such films can help destigmatize these problems while also providing the public with a means to better understand them.”

Myth vs. Fact: Violence and Mental Health

Myths remain about mental health that have proven difficult to debunk. One such myth is an association between mental health conditions and violence.

“The reality is that only 3-5% of violent acts can be tied to those living with serious mental health conditions,” says Dost Öngür, MD, chief of McLean’s Division of Psychotic Disorders.

“In fact, people with serious mental health disorders are up to 10 times more likely to be the victim of a violent act than someone who doesn’t have a mental health condition.”

When “Joker” was released, there were concerns about behavior that would mimic Arthur [the character’s given name] and his erratic and concerning behavior.

Optimistic Views of “Joker”

In addition to public concern, the movie has opened multiple avenues for interpretation.

For mental health professionals, many have used its popularity as an opportunity to educate about mental health conditions.

Multiple articles have focused on where “Joker” has cinematized mental health disorders, what has been glossed over, and how we can support those who are struggling—visibly or internally.

“I have a very different take on the film, starting with not seeing it about a person with a mental health disorder and the issues of medication and stigmatization,” says Rodrigo Barahona, PsyD.

“Rather, [‘Joker’ is] a film about the ‘illness’ in all of us, including the experience of lack, envy, rage, and manic and narcissistic defenses against these.”

The cast and creative minds behind “Joker” had their own perceptions of the movie as well.

Todd Phillips, the director, shared in an interview that Arthur’s inability to be helped—by his peers, family, society, career, and providers—was what contributed to his downward spiral.

According to Phillips, “It’s about the power of kindness, and a lot of people miss that … that’s where it started from, and there are other things in the movie, like lack of love, the lack of empathy in society, and childhood trauma, but the power of kindness really runs through this film.”

Perhaps the movie is a call-to-action for the viewers to reflect on their own roles in society.

We can learn how to help each other and feel motivated to better understand each other’s internal motives, experiences, and feelings.

Maybe under the grimness and grey area around mental health in “Joker,” there’s an opportunity. We can all learn, discuss, and further destigmatize mental health.