I’VE been helping a number of readers develop healthier coping skills for the New Year and a few days ago, one reader wrote in explaining the positive effect movies have had on his mental health. I wanted to share this concept with you all as movies are accessible to the majority and I don’t think it would take much convincing to attempt this one.

We already know the power of movies as we have all felt happy, sad, scared, or frustrated at the end of one. They are a great source of information and motivation which can change the way we look at things, the way we feel about them and even how we may deal with them. I can’t speak for everyone but I want to add a new profession every time I watch a show I enjoy. I want to specialise in psychology and law every time I watch Law and Order or specialise in grief therapy every time I watch a movie with tremendous trauma. During a movie, you can temporarily slide into a new profession, country or a whole new life. The right movie is almost like a cheap and instant vacation where our brains are given the opportunity to reboot.

For mental health treatment, many therapists use Cinema Therapy which basically just means using movies for therapeutic/healing purposes. The therapist typically suggests movies based on the client’s specific situation. For example, if the client has anger issues, they may be asked to watch a movie about someone dealing with anger issues. This gives the clients both people and situations to relate to while learning the commonalities of disorders and potential treatment options.

On top of that, the right type of movies enhances education, understanding, empathy and communication. Most importantly, it allows for awareness and personal reflection.
Movies can provide a safe method for people to discuss their thoughts and feelings.

Many people have issues with directly speaking about their circumstance and therefore it’s easier to talk about what a fictional character might be feeling. This way, you are still directly identifying and addressing the issue, feelings that arise and potential solutions without feeling directly vulnerable. Furthermore, there are many who don’t realise the extent of their situation until it is displayed on film. This is especially true for those in abusive relationships or experiencing multiple forms of addiction.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE TYPES OF CINEMA THERAPY.

“Popcorn cinema therapy” involves individuals watching certain movies- mostly for entertainment- which strongly opens a platform for emotional release.
Evocative cinema therapy occurs when certain movies are chosen based on the client’s circumstance and so they are strongly able to relate to both the character and situation. Cathartic cinema therapy happens when a movie helps the client to access emotions or feelings that may be buried under the surface and has been difficult to express.

There is good news and bad news about this. The bad news is I don’t think any therapist practises this in Guyana but the good news is that it can be self-administered as a form of self -help. This means you can choose the movies and watch it yourself once the correct method and protocol is followed.

I want to make it clear that if you are currently doing therapy or would like to start, cinema therapy alone is not an adequate replacement. It can be added on to your current therapy or used before going into therapy to get the best possible treatment.
If you would like to begin, here are some tips on self-help cinema therapy
Choose a movie that is helpfully addressing your situation. Some recommended options are at the end of this article.

Identify the character you most relate to and ask yourself why.
Identity things that you and/ or the character does that you would like to change
Identity the things the characters tried or didn’t try- things that you think would be most successful in the situation. Personal reflection requires you to wonder what you would so in similar situations.

You can do the above with a therapist, your friend or by yourself.
Remember that movies can also fight stigma so if you feel as though your loved ones are having a difficult time understanding what you are going through, invite them and make it a movie night.

Here is a list of movies (based on specific categories) that mental health professionals have recommended.
There is a website – http://www.cinematherapy.com/filmindex.html – that has a list of many instances but I have pulled a few based on common situations in Guyana.

ADDICTION
FOR ALCOHOL
The Lost Weekend (1945)
Flight (2012)
Frances (1982)
Frida (2002)
Henry Fool (1997)
FOR OTHER SUBSTANCES
Darkness Before Dawn (1993)
Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
Down to the Bone (2004)
Fighter, The (2010)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL
Accused (1988)
All That Jazz Boost (1979)
Black Snake Moan (2006, sexual abuse)
Burning Bed (1984)
Changing Lanes (2002)

CHILD ABUSE
Cider House Rules, The (1999)
Closet Land (1991)
Crazy Heart (2009)
Antwone Fisher (2002)

ANGER AND FORGIVENESS
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Amish Grace (2010)
Descendants, The (2011)
In a Better World (2010, Danish, Swedish, English, Arabic)

BEREAVEMENT/LOSS AND GRIEF
Brian’s Song (1971)
City of Angels (1998)
Corrina, Corrina (1994)
Dr. Zhivago (1965)

DEATH AND DYING
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946 – suicide)
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Jason’s Lyric (1994 – suicide)
Jungle Fever (1991 – murder)
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1988)

GAMBLING
Croupier (1998)
Gambler, The (1974 and 2014)
Great Sinner, The (1949)
Hard Eight (1996)
Owning Mahowny (2003)

MALE HOMOSEXUALITY
Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert (1994)
Beginners (2011)
Boogie Nights (1997)
Boys In The Band, The (1970)
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Female Homosexuality
Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013)
Bound (1996)
Boys On The Side (1995)
Chasing Amy (1997)
Children’s Hour, The (1961)

SELF-ESTEEM: QUESTIONING NEGATIVE BELIEFS ABOUT YOURSELF AND REDISCOVERING YOUR STRENGTHS
The Full Monty (1997)
Gattaca (1997)
Forrest Gump (1994)
It’s a Wonderful Life
Little Women (1994)
Affairs
Afterglow (1997)
Age of Innocence, The (1993)
Bridges of Madison County, The (1995)
Brothers McMullen, The (1995)

DEPRESSION
Alone In The T-Shirt Zone (1986)
Death In Small Doses (1995)
Eraserhead (1977)
Harold And Maude (1971)

Please keep in mind that some of these movies may have triggering effects and must be turned off if you do not feel it is helping. However, many studies have shown that the right movies have been able to improve relationships and reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression. It doesn’t matter if you’re watching at home or at the cinema, the results are the same. So why not try it?
If movies aren’t accessible to you, why not form groups (adult or children) and write and act out skits for your community members. This has so many physical and mental health benefits.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com
Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896

Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!