THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG

The Mental Health of Young Men: Exploring Through Narrative Film.

John White

Spring Hill College

Feb. 20,2024

Senior Seminar
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Per the Oxford dictionary, mental health is characterized as “Health of the mind as

distinct from physical health; a person’s condition with regard to mental well-being; (also) a

healthy state of mind” (Oxford, n.d., para. 1). This is stated to say that any form of mental health

is a present to all, and that everyone has their own perspective on mental health, along with their

own gauge of what is regarded as “good” or “bad” instances of such. Everyone has mental

health, but being in a healthy or unhealthy state is another problem. The ability to be mentally

healthy or to have a mental illness are on opposite spectrums of the mental health notion.

Based upon The Lancet’s article, which reviews the mental health struggles amongst

boys and young men, it is clear that “Globally, the rate of male suicide is two to four times that

of females, and males fare poorly on indices of substance misuse, risk taking-related injury,

conduct problems, violence, aggression, and by extension incarceration” (Rice et al., 2021, para.

1). The statistics paired with the notion that “about one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a

mental illness” (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). This information indicates that about

20 percent of adults fight with some sort of mental health issue. This does not account for the

potential percentage of those who have not made the choice to seek help, or simply acknowledge

their struggles. The NIMH also explains that upward of 25 percent of women are susceptible to

any form of mental illness, where about 16 percent of men would be. Although women are much

more capable of having any mental illness, the site claims that “More females with AMI (51.7%)

received mental health services than males with AMI (40.0%)” (NIMH, n.d., para. 11).

To compare the number of men that make their mental health problems a priority in their

lives to the number of men that choose (or do not feel comfortable) to not get help would result
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in a completely disproportionate ratio. Due to the stigmas associated with receiving said

assistance, the idea of even conversing about one’s mental health may not seem to be an option

to many people, or simply disregarding it generally, becoming a habit of life. The article

incorporates stigmas such as the negative views of depression, the potential embarrassment of

acknowledging one’s issues, the stigmas associated with suicide and deep depression, with so

many more to discuss.

Rationale and Purpose

Throughout life, I have found myself intrigued by the mind and its reaction to the world

around it. The idea of majoring in psychology itself deemed to be a task worth completing, but

fell to the need to communicate. My passion for creation has led me down a path of

understanding film and the techniques involved in producing. To tie the two together would be

monumental. The point of this research is to find the potential causes, results, and workable

solutions to the mental health plight in men, along with how said problems are conveyed in films

or visual entertainment, and their effects on the men absorbing the product. The research could

provide insight into the life of young men of today.

Research Question

Questions regarding the topic and proposed production would involve a plethora of

questions. How do films, such as my own, convey these notions and create a character with these

issues, along with how these products affect the viewer, and how can the producers and

consumers help in repairing the narrative plaguing characters with poor mental health? These

questions can build a hope for modern men, living in a visual and reactive society.

Literature Review
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Research regarding the mental health of men has implied several reasons as to why men

may succumb to poor mental health, along with some ways to improve or prevent the instance.

The cause of said mental instabilities may be a result of adolescent trauma, the use of media and

social media platforms, the stigmas associated with being a man, the stigmas being associated

with a man and his mental health, and the environmental and society influences that may affect

men. Using data from scholarly sources could provide clarity on the cause of poor mental health,

along with a possible criterion to create solutions.

Mental Health of Men:

Young men are not getting the help they need. “For those in the 16–24 age range,

population estimates suggest that only 13.2% of young men experiencing a recent mental health

problem will access mental health services” (Rice et al., 2018, para. 2). The authors proceed to

explain how it is “especially concerning for specific populations, including sexually diverse

young men, those from culturally diverse backgrounds, and young men engaged with the justice

system” (Rice et al., 2018, para. 2). Based upon the information provided, it is apparent that

many do not feel that they can confide in someone, and the number of people who already feel so

is minimized once more stigmas of their traits are stacked on them (such as sexual diversity).

Biases amassed throughout the years add onto these stigmas, building the strength within the

individual.

The stigmas associated with men can contribute to their mental health struggles, as they

may restrict themselves to certain standards, while also avoiding others, regardless of what they

may like or dislike. Men “expressed feelings of not belonging, outsiderness and social exclusion,

describing life as hard, challenging, and tough. Suicide and mental illness continued to be

shrouded in silence which served to reinforce the stigma and shame these men internalized in
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relation to both their sexuality and mental illness” (McKenzie et al., 2022, para. 22). These are

some of the more popular stigmas that are believed to be taking hold of the men that suffer from

poor mental health. On top of this, “Denial of emotions and low mental health literacy are

commonly reported contributors to non–help seeking” (Lynch et al., 2016, para. 3). The authors

proceed to note that “Problems with interpreting, managing, and communicating distress can

result in young men becoming caught in a cycle of avoidance as reported by Biddle et al. (2007);

often, waiting until severely distressed before seeking help” (McKenzie et al., 2022, para. 22).

This notion is attributed to the proposed film, and many like it, which explores the point of no

return, or the thought of that instance. The idea of reporting one’s problems may not be seen as a

viable solution due to the stigmas and the belief of possible backlash that would fall upon him

from society’s indoctrinated biases.

External Factors (Media and Society)

The use of the internet also contributes to the mental health of young men, as it affects

both genders generally. Researchers state that “The media have long adopted images of

masculinity in the promotion of gambling, alcohol, and tobacco use, but the capacity of the new

media to shape peer norms is greater than ever before. A pernicious accentuation of peer norms

is perpetuating outdated stereotypes of what it is to be a man” (Rice et al., 2021, para. 3). If true,

the claims are a

major point which should be monitored and acted upon effectively, as this current period has the

internet at the forefront of society. The information and content created on the internet is more

accessible than it has ever been in our history, so in some cases, a lot of mental health related

issues are unprecedented. It would be difficult to avoid the addiction of media, moreover for the

likes of college students, who must use the internet to do most work.
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In 2022, a test concerning the effects of social media on college students was created.

The results pointed out that the “effect of the introduction of Facebook on our index of poor

mental health is equivalent to a 2 percentage point increase in the share of students suffering

from depression” (Braghieri et al, 2022, para. 7). These results are that of a major app, but only

one of many. Apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are not accounted for, potentially

increasing the percentage of the index.

The international overuse of masculine stigmas has been revealed to go hand in hand with

the decrease in health literacy (Milner et al, 2019, para. 16). The authors also claim that

“moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were likewise associated with a decrease in health

literacy on all three scales, with the effects particularly strong for “Ability to engage with

healthcare providers” (Milner et al, 2019, para. 3). Due to the perceived necessity of surpluses

masculinity, men disregard understanding the intricacies of health literacy, even to the point of

avoiding professionals who could give the necessary aid.

The National Library of Medicine completed a research review focusing on the outcomes

of mental illness amongst adolescents. The review concluded that among “adults who had a

psychiatric disorder as a child or adolescent, about half can be expected to be disorder-free as

young adults, and of these about half will be free of significant difficulties in the areas of work,

health, relationships, and crime. Optimal outcomes are predicted by a mixture of personal

characteristics and environmental supports” (Wickham et al, 2015, para. 4). Their research

provides optimism in the future for adults who have had poor mental health at an early age,

ensuring the possibility of a better future from difficult circumstances. With a positive

breakthrough, the author also says that “It is now clear from several longitudinal studies that
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children who have early episodes of emotional disorders are at increased risk into adulthood”

(Wickham et al, 2015, para. 14).

Mise En Scene

Filmtheory defines mise en scene as “Mise En Scene is defined as positioning-on-a-

podium and an utterance utilized in outlining the blueprint detail in terms where a cinema or

motion picture is concerned” (Mise en Scene, 2014, para. 1). To be put simply, it would be the

creative techniques used to illustrate or convey a message.

This is evident in many stories, but a notable example (concerning the rationale and my

film) would be A Man Called Otto, in which the life of a man who lost his wife was on display,

along with his showcases of poor mental health. This involved seclusion, multiple attempts at

suicide, and obvious signs of depression. The film was shot with the ability to foreshadow

greatly, or even show the scenery of his symptoms in detail.

The use of dark lighting to display its darker nature, while using brighter lighting to

display the more positive moments. This is apparent in the site's belief in the theory’s ability to

“manipulate a shot by framing and orchestrating the cuts and wielding the shots in an artistic

bearing to achieve a cinematic masterpiece” (Mise en Scene, 2014, para. 6).

John Gibbs authored a book about the theory of mise en scene itself, conveying the

elements of a Mise en Scene, involving lighting, consume, color, performance and the various

other pieces that are combined to create the specific style or aesthetic. Gibbs claims that the

theory “both what the audience can see, and the way in which we are invited to see it. It refers to

many of the major elements of communication in the cinema, and the combinations through

which they operate expressively (Gibbs, 2002, p. 5). The proposed film would be able to use the
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various components of creating a film to portray the aura of such a negative and uncomfortable

truth.

Gavin Cape gave an explanation about the association between addiction of drug and

alcohol related vices and television. Cape claims that “Borrowing from social learning theory

(7), norms, attitudes, expectations and beliefs arise from interaction with the cultural

environment around us. Social cognitions about alcohol and drug use arise from direct

experience, from the experience of others, and some inferred through exposure to indirect

socialising agents: books, magazines, advertisements and not least – movies and television”

(Cape, 2003, para. 7). In terms of film, the notion explains how the consumption of media

products causes us to associate with whatever is presented, if exposed long enough. It would be

the same as practicing a skill for a year and being better than how one started. This gives the

directors the power to use Mise en Scene to use film techniques for the acknowledgement of

mental health struggles, or to display the fantasy of it. Jeniffer Ghahari of the Seattle Anxiety

Specialists (who focuses on psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy) states that by “casting a

lens of pity and futility onto the realm of mental illness, films distance viewers from patients.

Representations of mental illness disproportionately depict patients excessively struggling and

participating in risky behaviors to cope, with muted success with dealing with their pressures in

life.” (n.a., 2022, para. 6). The film Split is the perfect example as the man who succumbs to his

dissociative identity disorder (DID) is made to be the antagonist, as his other identities take over,

committing heinous crimes. The film portrays the antagonist as a man who people avoid due to

the uneasiness he presents, while others look down on him, understanding he has no control.
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Method

To begin the film portion of my project, one wrote the script for the story prior to the start

of the spring semester. Due to having to make changes to the script, the estimated time of

completion was postponed until the beginning of February. The script was completed using

Celtx, in which one could only create a limited number of scripts for free but would have to pay

for more.

Once the script was in order, the final script was under review by my advisor, as said

advisor was to have a role in the film. Copies of the script were sent out to my actors. This task,

along with said actors agreeing to commit to the film and expected production dates, was

completed from February 12 to February 20. Once the actors and the production crew agreed to

help, they then signed slips of waivers of participation (a concerning the film. The story consists

of a male protagonist, along with three unseen other supporting characters, who are all also

males). The male lead had the most acting experience, but the other roles were able to be done by

one person, due to the advances in voice technology. The app TikTok had the voice technology

necessary to give one actor many positions.

In terms of a film crew, one light technician and sound technician, one other

cinematographer (including the director), and an assistant director were used in the creation of

this film, with people taking on multiple roles. The case of unforeseen circumstances that could

have hindered attendance was combated with the use of an understood itinerary and consistent

messaging amongst the crews.

Once all pre-production priorities have been fulfilled, filming commenced. Due to

everyone’s varying schedules, it would be much more realistic to have filming be done from

March to the first week of April (if necessary). This theory held true, as the production and
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recording of the film was done within the timeframe of Spring Hill College’s spring break,

giving everyone involved full days of free time.

The production team rented two of Spring Hill College’s cameras (the Sony NXCAM

NEX-EA50J camcorders) from the Integrated Media Center, with lenses ranging from

35 to 85 millimeters. We had interchanged these based on the need of closeups, wide-shots, and

more cinematic shots established by the needs assessed in the script and shot list. The cameras

were able to zoom in or out as need be (depending on the lens). The use of GVM 800D-RGB

LED Light Panels was optimal as well, as they are the best lights available for the project,

changing brightness and color. The lighting equipment was for fill, back, and hard lighting.

Yamaha headphones and Yamaha boom microphones for the recording of audio were also used.

The sound technician raised the microphones above the figures speaking and such, obtaining the

requested lines of dialogue.

After the production of the film, the team got into the post-production process of creating

the film. The team’s experience in Premiere Pro, After Effects, and other editing software posed

a great benefit to the ability to create the story with the clips that were made. A span of a bit over

a week (April 6 to April 15) was reserved for the editing, reviewing, and finalizing of the film,

incorporating copyright-free music, templates and graphics. What would be believed to be the

final would be sent to an advisor (Ryan Noble) individually, which would lead to going back and

making only the most necessary changes to the editing portion of the film before presentations

are necessary.

Finally, the film was displayed to 10 people, consisting of college students of various

classifications, along with some who have recently graduated (primarily men, with a mix of

women). The display of the film was done on April 11.

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After the viewing, surveys were handed out, questioning their beliefs in the mental health

of young men. A sample question would be: “What stigmas, regarding the mental health of men,

are you aware of? Which do you find to be true?” It was also made apparent that these questions

were to be answered with their opinion, as one could not expect them to have research-based

responses.

After the film, a paper was handed out as a security to the fact that the film was viewed,

along with a questionnaire regarding the quality of the film in terms of technique, its association

to the topic, the prevention and possible fixes to mental health, and other questions concerning

the mental health of young men was presented to them.

The data from the survey was added to the results of the research, providing primary

evidence and more insight into the data previously presented and possibly adding on to future

research. After collecting the responses, a theme (or themes) amongst them was analyzed, which

strengthened the proposed hypothesis, claims, and research of those the research is based on. The

questions resulted in responses that were placed in a respective category, which relate to a

specific genre of the topic. There were a variety of open-ended questions, which all gave insight

into the belief of members of society regarding the mental health of young men and then

strengthened claims made by researchers and the notions made in the film.

Anticipated issues involved finding periods of time that everyone would be available, and

whether everyone would stay consistently present on the days that are for filming. Due to the

product being a short film, it did not take long at all. The production of the film took about three

days. Those involved were given breaks throughout the day to eat, stretch, or prepare themselves

for the production day. With everyone being college students or having external responsibilities,

the likelihood of working for consecutive days is slim, so the decision to spread filming across
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the month of March to the beginning of April (spring break) ended up being the most feasible

plan of action. The possibility of SD card errors was not extremely high, but the cards were

monitored after every shoot, with the retrieved data also being uploaded to a safe computer

(typically the Mac desktops in the Integrated Media Center) shortly after the workday ended.

Waiting until the first day of post-production would not be optimal, as such SD card errors could

have happened, the sounds could have been horrid, the scene could have possibly been blurry, or

a variety of other issues had the chance to arise. The surveillance of equipment, actors, and

production crew was key to my project going as smoothly as it did.

The project displayed an artistic and abstract portrayal of a dark topic, in which the

audience would be entertained but also understand the message presented. The experiences or

beliefs others may go through were displayed, conversed, and understood, as seeing things from

another's perspective is key to progress (which could be said regarding mental health). Hopefully,

the audience was honest with their responses to the questionnaires, although it may be personal,

with results that prove how the stigmas and restrictions created by society affect the mental

health of young men.

Results

Shortly after the showcase of the film, a survey was sent to ten people, who were a mix of

races, but most respondents were male. Their responses were completely anonymous, and they

were informed of such, which could have given them the notion that the responses can be their

own personal beliefs and experiences. The questions were also open-ended, giving each person

the opportunity to be as detailed as they would like. Luckily, responses were consistently close,
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with some outliers. The film had positive reviews overall, involving terms such as entertaining,

intriguing, and insightful. The only possibly negative opinion used the word “melancholy”,

which is likely due to the darkness of the film. It was made to be sad, which is a part of the

definition of melancholy. When asked “What actions in the movie can be a product of poor

mental health?”, about 60% of subjects believed that alcohol was one of the protagonist’s vices

to deal with his issues, which adds on to the association of alcoholism to poor mental health,

along with the association of alcohol and the masculine persona. 20% of the people surveyed

claims that men being uncomfortable or feeling an inability to talk up.

When asked about the stigmas of men and mental health, about 80% of the responses

involved the idea of men having to not show emotion and invoke stoicism. That men are not

allowed to cry, while 20% claim that men indulge in self-destructive behaviors in order while

avoiding seeking the aid they may need.

All participants agree that loneliness can amplify the symptoms of mental health issues,

which, along with alcoholism, is the key antagonist in my film. The protagonist is completely

secluded, refusing to seek help by simply accepting a call. The loneliness he lives in leaves room

for his guilt and doubt to consume him, resulting in the attempt of suicide, which all are

supported by the respondents’ answers.

When asked about their own personal bouts with poor mental health, the answers varied.

40% of participants claimed the loss of loved ones and friends had contributed to their period of

mental instability. The protagonist’s issues were (seemingly) rooted in the loss of his best friend,

Ethan.
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Surprisingly, only one participant believed that comparison is a cause of poor mental

health (or they were possibly the only one to state it). Two of the participants claimed to have no

mental health struggles.

Conclusion

From the stigmas associated with men and mental health, the lack of emotional literacy

due to a lack of belief in a support system for men, adolescent trauma, and the way men perceive

one another, it is apparent that the mental health of young men is not tended to, for a myriad of

reasons. With research-based evidence that gives data pertaining to the plight and causes of

mental illness amongst young men and the understanding of production and production

techniques through the mise en scene theory, a film projecting the characteristics and patterns of

a mentally unhealthy young man could be produced, with the result of relaying an artistic

message to viewers who will be able to comprehend, agree with, or refute the ideals and actions

made in the film (and research).

Based upon results, the research was supported, and it is evident that films and

multimedia display clear signs of mental health struggles in ways that aid men towards not

seeking the necessary help and appealing to stigmas. The theory can be instrumental in how

directors and the like can create films that present those with mental health issues differently

(typically in a better light). In the same breath, consumers should understand that artistic choices

made in films may simply be the romanticized versions of characteristics, and are not always

consistent with real people and symptoms.

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Reflection

The overall task was very intriguing to say the least. The project went as smoothly as it

could have, given the circumstances. I originally had a team of five, who were all involved in

film and took film courses. Said people agreed to be part of the production crew and acting crew

but lacked communication prior to the chosen production days. They were no longer able to help,

so the script had to be reworked once again. This challenge caused me to do everything,

including acting. The voicemails from the other figures in the film were done by me, as well as

cinematography, lighting, directing, and editing. I had help with the sound technician position

and such. The findings were expected, but I did find the fact that some responses were to be

revealing to be genuinely nice, as this topic is extremely sensitive. Overall, this experience is

something that is necessary for filmmakers and those in the communication field. The decisions

made by us can affect those around us, so One should act with such understanding.
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References

Braghieri, Luca, Ro'ee Levy, and Alexey Makarin. 2022. "Social Media and Mental Health." American

Economic Review, 112 (11): 3660-93.DOI: 10.1257/aer.20211218

Cape G. S. (2003). Addiction, stigma and movies. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 107(3), 163–169.

https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00075.x

Costello, E.J., Maughan, B. (2015), Annual Research Review: Optimal outcomes of child and adolescent

mental illness. J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 56: 324-341. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12371

Gibbs, J. (2002). Mise-en-scene: Film style and interpretation. Wallflower.

Kiesewetter, A. (2022, September 21). Mental health representation in television & film - Seattle

Psychiatrist. Seattle Anxiety Specialists - Psychiatry, Psychology, and Psychotherapy.

https://seattleanxiety.com/psychiatrist/2022/8/5/mental-health-representation-in-television-amp-

film

Lynch L, Long M, Moorhead A. Young Men, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Services: Exploring

Barriers and Solutions. American Journal of Men’s Health. 2018;12(1):138-149.

doi:10.1177/1557988315619469

Matthews, J., Charles, F., Porteous, J., & Mendes, A. (2017). MISER: Mise-En-Scene Region Support

for Staging Narrative Actions in Interactive Storytelling. In Proceedings of the 16th Conference

on Autonomous Agents and MultiAgent Systems (Vol. 2, pp. 782-790). (Proceedings of the

International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, AAMAS ).

ACM. https://doi.org/10.5555/3091125.3091237

McKenzie SK, Oliffe JL, Black A, Collings S. Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the

Lifespan: A Scoping Review. American Journal of Men’s Health. 2022;16(1).

doi:10.1177/15579883221074789
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Milner A, Shields M, King T. The Influence of Masculine Norms and Mental Health on Health Literacy

Among Men: Evidence From the Ten to Men Study. American Journal of Men’s Health.

2019;13(5). doi:10.1177/1557988319873532

Mise en scene. Film Theory. (2015, August 5). https://www.filmtheory.org/mise-en-scene/

“Mental Health, N.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, March 2024,

https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/4807679653.

Rice, S., Oliffe, J., Seidler, Z., Borschmann, R., Pirkis, J., Reavley, N., & Patton, G. (n.d.). Gender

norms and the mental health of boys and young men. The Lancet Public Health.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00138-9/fulltext

Sadlier, A. (2019, April 30). 1 in 4 Americans feel they have no one to confide in. New York Post.

February 4, 2023. https://nypost.com/2019/04/30/1-in-4-americans-feel-they-have-no-one-to-

confide-in/

Simon M. Rice, Rosemary Purcell, Patrick D. McGorry, Adolescent and Young Adult Male Mental

Health: Transforming System Failures Into Proactive Models of Engagement, Journal of

Adolescent Health, Volume 62, Issue 3, Supplement, 2018, Pages S9-S17, ISSN 1054-139X.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-a). Mental illness. National Institute of Mental

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Wickham, S. R., Amarasekara, N. A., Bartonicek, A., & Conner, T. S. (2020). The Big Three Health

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Investigation of Sleep, Exercise, and Diet. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 579205.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579205
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APPENDICES
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Appendix A

Gantt Chart
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Appendix B

Waiver for Participation

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Appendix C

Survey Responses

1. Alcoholism

2. Alcoholism, Suicide

3. Being Told You Can’t Speak Up

4. Being Ignored When You Need to Be Heard

5. Suicide attempts

6. Alcoholism, Suicide

7. Alcohol Abuse

8. Suicide (“The man wanting to kill himself”)

9. Alcoholism, Suicide

10. Alcoholism (with #1)

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Appendix D

Wardrobe Selection
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Appendix E

Voicemail Script
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Appendix F

Voicemail Viewing Poster

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Appendix G

Waiver of Acknowledgement
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Appendix H

Film: YouTube