Unmasking the mind: How Bangla dramas are spreading awareness about mental health

In our culture, the heavy stigma surrounding mental illness often hides behind dismissive labels like "crazy," "lazy," or "aimless." This oversimplification silences the rich complexity of mental health struggles and the deeply personal stories of those who endure them.

While this has been the norm for many years, our local pop culture has taken a step forward to break the stigma, depicting personal and raw portrayals of mental illness.

"I started portraying mental illness in my work because I suffered from depression, and there are so many misconceptions about it. I wanted to show that mental illness is a disease that requires proper medical attention."

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Vicky Zahed, Director

Bangla dramas have a bit more freedom to explore such heavy topics as it does not need to go through a censor board or certification board to arrive at your screen. This has allowed dramas to step up when it comes to honest portrayals of mental health, as a result, spreading awareness to the mass audience

Bringing human stories forward

Maha is a doctor with a demanding schedule, often pushing her to her limits. At the end of each day, she returns to an empty house, filling her heart with a void. 

The story of doctor Maha is portrayed in Vicky Zahed's drama, 'Bed No 3' (2023). Instead of chaining her to her bed, Maha's depression manifests in subtle yet agonising ways. 

Actress Safa Kabir brings authenticity to Maha's character; her blank stares and longing for connection evoke sympathy for her character's internal struggles. 

This raw portrayal of depression seems to come from a place of empathy and personal experience. 

"I started portraying mental illness in my work because I suffered from depression, and there are so many misconceptions about it," says director Vicky Zahed. "I wanted to show that mental illness is a disease that requires proper medical attention."

Furthermore, the drama was made with real stories in mind. The director was inspired by the struggles of healthcare workers, and the mental toll it puts on them.

However, Vicky Zahed emphasises that such dramas need to be handled with care, which means having skilled storytellers behind these nuanced stories. 

"We must ensure that what we show on screen doesn't backfire or further trigger people due to poorly written scripts," shared Vicky Zahed. 

Digging through trauma

In 'Tithidor' (2024), Vicky Zahed tackles aspects of modern life, showing the pressures faced by Nishat, a young woman dealing with heartbreak, being unable to rent an apartment single, unsupportive parents, and the societal expectation to marry by 30.

Although the drama's conclusion is somewhat shown through rose-coloured glasses, it resonates through scenes of Nishat's struggles with depression, from simple tasks to contemplations of ending it all. These moments provide a raw glimpse into mental illness.

However, as Mehazabein Chowdhury notes the need to explore true portrayals of mental illness, even with the limitations of entertainment media.

"We are not always allowed to delve deeper into heavy topics such as mental health. I believe we need to shed more light on mental health in our industry to break the age-old stigma," shared Mehazabein.

'Tithidor' primarily associates depression with heartbreak, a limited perspective that highlights the need for Bangladeshi dramas to address other causes and experiences of mental illness.

In 'Tithir Oshukh' (2021), the storyline takes on a direct approach to exploring trauma and its impact on mental health, depicting how a troubled childhood and distressing life events can lead to PTSD and even schizophrenia. 

Though the ending feels unfinished and vague, the drama effectively highlights how hardship does not necessarily make someone stronger, as often claimed, but instead can leave deep scars and drive you to be mentally ill.

"Struggling with mental illness doesn't mean you're crazy. Society still struggles to accept that not all issues are visible," actress Tasnia Farin shares about her character in 'Tithir Oshukh'.

Bangla dramas are gradually tackling sensitive topics surrounding mental health, even if they are not always successful. 

Even though we have seen dramas take the initiative to break the stigma, there is still scope for the storytellers and artistes to delve further into such stories with nuance. Such narratives can only come forward with more in-depth research and consulting mental health professionals.