Mental Health Through Animation: Storytelling and Characters
- Adilla
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Animations are no longer limited to cartoons or comedic series. It has become a medium for a variety of purposes, like advertising, education and even depiction of mental health.
Still a sensitive topic to discuss at large, but the awareness is far and wide. Animated mental health stories that are relatable can be represented in a better light.
Table of Contents
Why Animation Is Effective for Showing Mental Health
Animation can simplify complex issues or ideas and depict them in a way that audiences can understand better. So, when it comes to animation about mental health, it can visually show symptoms. Therefore, how animation represents mental illness reduces the stigma by creating a space for daily conversation to make it less intimidating to talk about.
3 Recommended Animated Movies About Mental Health
Over the years, mental health has become a growing genre and a central theme for animations. Here are 3 mental health animation movies:
Le Petit Prince (2015)
Release date: 29 July 2015
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Country: France
Director: Mark Osborne
A familiar name for many who have seen the book with the same name published in 1943. The Little Prince reveals the importance of preserving childlike wonder while embracing themes of love and building meaningful connections.
The unnamed girl learns about The Little Prince’s story from a retired Aviator with whom she forms an unlikely friendship. Their depiction of the evil Businessman reflects the responsibility of adulthood.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse (2022)
Release date: 24 December 2022
Genre: Comedy, adventure
Country: United Kingdom
Director: Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy
A touching story about a boy searching for a home he never had before, encountering animals with different struggles of their own. It explores themes of compassion and empathy through these characters’ actions and behaviour.
A calmer approach to showcasing animation about mental health. Visually, it embraces the audience with a blanket of snow and white, sharing with them that it’s okay to feel certain feelings. As long as you have people who love and support you, that’s where home is.
ParaNorman (2012)
Release date: 3 August 2012
Genre: Comedy horror, Mystery
Country: United States
Director: Sam Gell, Chris Butler
One of the first stop-motion films to use a 3D colour printer to create character faces, ParaNorman was created to help kids express the challenges they go through growing up. The protagonist is Norman, an 11-year-old boy who can speak with the dead.
The story shows the emotional isolation that Norman goes through because of his abilities. He befriends an overweight boy who, too, was ostracised by his peers. It shows a touching story of a boy learning how to embrace who he is while struggling with a responsibility that was thrust upon him by his grandfather.
The Future of Mental Health Storytelling Through Animation
With a story that’s so easily accessible on any platform, animated mental health stories help watchers understand the feelings and experiences that are associated with mental health.
It transforms internal struggles into external visuals, offering a powerful means of creative expression. This medium can make it easier to understand and remember the complexities of mental health challenges, enabling people to process and share their experiences with others.
Hence, the future of storytelling of mental health through animation paves the way for a better understanding and awareness of it.
Key Takeaways
Animations are not only great marketing tools, but they can also help represent mental health in a better way, breaking the stigma.
Compelling stories of mental health in animation can help audiences feel safer with their mental health struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does animation affect mental health?
Animation can positively affect mental health by showing visual representations of thoughts, behaviours and complex concepts. Therefore, it can depict a healthier way to cope and manage mental health with relatable stories and characters.
How does animation enhance storytelling?
The captivating visuals and engaging stories draw audiences in, immersing them in the animation. Utilising animation to create memorable narratives enhances the storytelling aspect significantly.
Is animation good for your brain?
Animation can be stimulating for the brain, giving it a range of sensory experiences, from auditory to visual retention.
Author Bio
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies, like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.