Finding Solace in Stories: 5 Books and 5 Movies That Perfectly Capture Mental Health Struggles

by Pinoy Therapy in [Depression , Grief/loss , Post-traumatic Stress Disorder , Relationship problems , Social anxiety , Stress , Anxiety , Personal growth] Feb 16, 2025

Read time: 6 minutes

When life feels overwhelming, and it seems like no one truly understands what you’re going through, sometimes the best comfort comes from stories that resonate with your own experiences. Whether it’s through the pages of a book or the scenes of a movie, seeing characters navigate their mental health struggles can be incredibly validating. It reminds us that we’re not alone in our battles and that healing, though messy and nonlinear, is possible.

In this blog post, we’ve curated a list of 5 books and 5 movies that offer authentic and heartfelt portrayals of mental health. From fantasy realms to animated worlds, these stories explore themes like trauma, depression, anxiety, and the complexities of human emotions. They don’t shy away from the setbacks and vulnerabilities but also highlight the importance of growth, connection, and self-acceptance.

Whether you’re looking for a relatable escape or a deeper understanding of your own emotions, these books and movies are here to remind you that it’s okay to feel, to struggle, and to heal at your own pace. Let’s dive into these powerful narratives that might just make you feel seen.

5 Books that perfectly capture Mental Health struggles

The Books

A Court of Thorns and Roses (series)

By the popular author Sarah J. Maas, this young adult, romantic fantasy series delves deep into the healing processes of characters grappling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and the effects of abusive relationships that stem from traumatic pasts. Amidst the enchanting high courts and swoon-worthy fae, I appreciate this series for allowing us to see the setbacks and moments of vulnerability while pushing past the inner nightmares.

A Court of Thorns and Roses book cover - a fantasy novel exploring PTSD and healing.

Lore Olympus (Webtoon, graphic novel series)

Rachel Smythe’s retelling of The Taking of Persephone is a very entertaining read, featuring our well-known Greek gods in a modern setting, gossip and parties, and forbidden love. While the Olympians have always been rather complex with each other, Lore Olympus explores the impact of societal expectations, toxic relationships, trauma and unhealthy coping mechanisms. However, the series also highlights the importance of friendships and support systems, and narrates the exploration of emotions and personal growth.

The Catcher in the Rye

This classic novel by J.D. Salinger was one of my favorite required readings in high school, mainly for its conversational writing style as we wander through New York with Holden Caulfield’s narrations. As he struggles to come to terms with the complexities of growing up, we also see depictions of his depression and trauma, his dissociation and alienation from others, and self-destructive behavior – hence, the way he highlights the importance of protecting and preserving the innocence of children.

Circe

Circe, the witch Odysseus encounters in Homer’s The Odyssey, has long been portrayed as a villain. However, Madeline Miller’s retelling gives her character more depth and ultimately makes her feel more human despite her immortal lifespan. This novel takes us through her centuries of living, and highlights moments in her life such as navigating through a misogynistic society, companionship and love, single motherhood, and eventually letting go. More than the portrayal of her mental health, Circe gives us a chance to relate and/or empathize with the complexities of human emotions and interpersonal relationships.

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

Written by relationship counselor John Gray, this book explores the psychological differences between the sexes, which can result in common relationship problems. While there has been criticism over the placement of human psychology into respective gender stereotypes, I say it’s still worth the read. Through the use of metaphors and real life examples, this book can help one gain a better understanding of themselves and of others, which can then help in navigating interpersonal relationships, especially romantic ones.


On Screen Representation

Inside Out

In this Pixar movie, mental health is depicted through the personification of a young girl’s 5 main emotions – Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear. This movie highlights the interaction between the different emotions, and puts emphasis on the importance of getting to feel, acknowledge, and accept all kinds of emotions, even the negative ones. Rather than suppressing our feelings, Inside Out shows us that all emotions are valid and play different roles in our lives.

Inside Out - a Pixar film about emotions and mental health.

Soul

Taking on a more philosophical approach, Pixar’s Soul explores concepts such as finding one’s purpose in life, the pursuit of dreams at the expense of interpersonal relationships, and learning to appreciate and find beauty in life’s journey. Through the amusing dialogue between a band teacher and a soul who does not want to be born, coupled with the pastel, dreamscape depictions of the ethereal plane, this movie insights reflection on personal ambitions and the meaning of life.

Arcane

This steampunk, action-adventure series follows some of your favorite League of Legends characters and, to me, had one of the best onscreen mental health depictions. From the backstory to the build up of events, the intensity of emotions on each of the characters were well conveyed, the complexity of interpersonal relationships fleshed out, and Jinx’s mental state depicted beautifully through the graffiti style animations that surround her.

Oshi no Ko

In contrast to the lighthearted glimpse into the life of actors and idols, this anime also gives us a critique of parasocial relationships, and the mental and emotional impact from industry pressures and online criticisms. The anime also tackles the effects of trauma and inner struggles, and takes us along with how each character acts on these and/or learns to cope.

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie In April)

Despite being a romance drama revolving around a classical pianist and violinist, this anime explores themes like trauma and grief, depression and anxiety, and self-blame, as seen in the pianist’s inability to hear music properly and seeing shadows of his deceased mother. However, through the violinist’s vibrant, and free-spirited character, we also see the impact of healing through interpersonal connections and are given meaningful dialogue to think on as well.

Your Lie in April anime  - a touching story about grief and self-acceptance


Feeling seen and understood can be a powerful step toward healing. If any of these books or movies resonated with you, or if you’re looking for a story that mirrors your own struggles, why not dive into one today? Whether you’re curling up with a book or settling in for a movie night, these narratives are here to remind you that you’re not alone. And if you found this list helpful, don’t forget to share it with someone who might need it too.

Together, let’s keep the conversation about mental health open, honest, and compassionate.


About the Author

S. Verzosa is a BS Psychology graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University. Lover of fiction, art, music, dance, and the understanding of all those around.

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