How Cinema Shapes Our Understanding of Mental Health: A Student’s Pioneering Research
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A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student’s innovative research is exploring the powerful, and often overlooked, influence of film on public perceptions of psychiatric care. The project delves into how cinematic portrayals of mental illness have evolved, and how those depictions impact our understanding and empathy.
From Sensationalism to Sensitivity: A Century of Cinematic Depiction
Sophomore Nihal Kollath, a biology major, embarked on a research project last spring that bridged his passions for film and psychology. His work, titled “From Narrative to Practice: how Film Representations Shape Psychiatric Care Delivery,” examined the contrasting depictions of mental health in two landmark films: the 1920 silent horror “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” and the 1975 drama “One Flew Over the cuckoo’s Nest.”
Kollath’s research reveals a notable shift in how mental illness has been presented on screen.”With earlier films like ‘Caligari,’ it was about capturing sensationalism since psychiatric care was a relatively new field,” he explained.The film, characteristic of early horror, relied on tropes like straitjackets and padded cells to evoke fear and otherness.
“Cuckoo’s Nest” and the Dawn of Empathy
In contrast, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” offered a more nuanced and humanizing portrayal of patients within a mental health institution. kollath noted that the film’s popularity, combined with its empathetic characterizations, allowed audiences to see individuals with mental disorders “not as merely caricatures but people with wants or needs.” While acknowledging that some elements of the film have aged, he emphasized its enduring message of breaking free from societal constraints and finding self-finding.
The Psychological power of Film
Kollath’s interest in the intersection of film and psychology dates back to a formative experience in high school. Watching “Donnie Darko,” he realized that film could be more than mere entertainment. “There can actually be real story told,” he said. “I like it a lot because that’s a real psychological movie that got under my skin.” This realization sparked a desire to explore the deeper psychological themes embedded within cinematic narratives.
Bridging the Gap Between Humanities and Medicine
His coursework at Carolina, including work in a psychology-neuroscience lab, further solidified this connection. With guidance from Dorothea Heitsch,a teaching professor in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ Romance studies department,Kollath refined his research focus. Heitsch’s mentorship, he said, encouraged him to consider the human element frequently enough overlooked in the medical field.
“I think a lot of people in the medical field can tend to treat people like a number,” Kollath observed. “That’s why mixing the humanities and medicine is so vital. You can relate to the patient’s cultural understanding of certain things thanks to things like film and television.”
Future Research and the Persuasive Power of Cinema
Looking ahead, Kollath plans to expand his research, recognizing the vast potential for further exploration at the intersection of psychiatry and film. He believes that film serves as a “persuasive vehicle for delivering a message,” and possesses a unique ability to shape public opinion and foster greater understanding of mental health issues.
For Kollath, this research isn’t just an academic pursuit; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and its potential to influence how we perceive and interact with the world around us.
