Cultural Stories Shape How We Understand Mental Health—Becoming a Critical Consumer of Narratives

Popular culture recycles vivid, sensational stories about madness—from kings cursed by heredity to chilling villains shaped by their mothers. These narratives influence how societies treat those who are different, sometimes with sympathy, but more often with stigma and blame. Movies like 'Psycho' and case studies like Schreber’s memoir made it easy to confuse schizophrenia with 'split personalities' or to believe mental illness always breeds violence.

Yet, the real science tells a more nuanced story: most people with severe mental illness are non-violent, and many live full lives with the right support. Culture’s tales, often repeated through movies, memes, and even well-meaning family stories, color our expectations before we ever meet someone living with these struggles. By becoming aware of which messages shape us, we can correct misleading impressions and open ourselves—and those around us—to wiser, more compassionate attitudes.

Educational research shows that countering bias works best when we encounter stories told directly by those with lived experience, or by challenging easy plots with more complex facts.

Scan your favorite shows or news headlines for the mental health stories they tell. Note whether they reinforce specific fears or blame. Then, make a point to seek out audio or written accounts that push back against these stereotypes—a direct story is far more memorable than facts alone, and it's the best way to reset your own narrative. Armed with a fuller picture, you'll not only feel more empathy, but you'll also recognize bias in places you didn’t expect.