20 Must-Watch TV Shows That Dive Deep Into Mental Health

This Is Us (2016–2022)

Spanning multiple timelines, the show follows the Pearson family as they navigate life’s highs and lows. Mental health is woven into everyday experiences, tackling anxiety, addiction, grief, and body image issues. Randall’s anxiety arc, including his hesitation and eventual acceptance of therapy, stands out as a key storyline. The series also highlights generational trauma, showing how emotional struggles can be passed down and reshaped across generations.

Tiny Beautiful Things (2023)

The series follows Clare, a struggling writer who begins giving advice as an anonymous columnist while her own life is falling apart. Through her interactions and flashbacks, the show explores grief, addiction, and unresolved trauma. It emphasizes how people can guide others while quietly battling their own issues, with a layered narrative that connects past experiences to present behavior.

The Bear (2022–2026)

The story follows Carmy, a fine-dining chef who returns home to run his family’s struggling sandwich shop. Set in a high-pressure kitchen environment, the show explores anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma. Carmy’s panic attacks, emotional detachment, and perfectionism reflect deeper psychological struggles, highlighting how professional stress can intensify existing mental health issues.

BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)

Set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist, the show follows a washed-up sitcom star grappling with his fading relevance. Beneath its satire, it deeply explores depression, addiction, and self-destructive behavior. BoJack’s past trauma and neglect shape his identity and choices, and the show avoids easy redemption arcs, instead portraying recovery as complex, messy, and uncertain.

Mr. Robot (2015–2019)

This psychological thriller follows Elliot, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker who becomes entangled in a larger conspiracy. Through his fragmented perception of reality, the show explores dissociative identity disorder, depression, and severe anxiety. The storytelling style mirrors Elliot’s mental state, immersing viewers in confusion and isolation. It also examines how trauma and alienation shape identity, while portraying therapy and medication with rare honesty.

Shrinking (2023– )

The show revolves around a therapist grieving the loss of his wife, who begins to break professional boundaries with his patients. Through its mix of humor and emotion, it explores grief, depression, and the pressures of caregiving. It also highlights that even mental health professionals face their own struggles, while addressing themes of boundaries, ethics, and healing.

Normal People (2020)

This intimate drama follows the evolving relationship between Connell and Marianne, exploring how their personal struggles shape their connection. The show presents depression and anxiety through subtle behavioral changes, particularly Connell’s social withdrawal and panic attacks. It also examines societal expectations and masculinity, showing how they can prevent individuals from seeking help.

Sharp Objects (2018)

This psychological drama follows journalist Camille Preaker as she returns to her hometown to cover a series of murders. As she reconnects with her past, the story delves into trauma, self-harm, and addiction. The narrative gradually reveals how unresolved childhood experiences shape her present behavior, offering a haunting exploration of memory, repression, and emotional pain.

Ted Lasso (2020– )

This feel-good sports series follows an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team, despite having no experience. Beneath its optimistic tone, the show explores depression, panic attacks, and emotional repression. Ted’s journey reveals how someone can appear cheerful while quietly struggling, and it portrays therapy as a challenging but necessary process, especially in breaking the stigma around men’s mental health.

Jessica Jones (2015–2019)

This Marvel series follows a private investigator with superhuman strength who is haunted by her past abuse at the hands of a controlling villain. PTSD lies at the heart of the story, shaping how Jessica views the world, forms relationships, and copes with daily life. Her trauma manifests through hypervigilance, emotional detachment, and substance abuse, all portrayed as realistic responses to prolonged psychological harm.

Euphoria (2019–2026)

The series follows Rue, a teenager battling drug addiction, as well as a group of high school students dealing with identity, trauma, and relationships. Addiction is portrayed as cyclical, emphasizing relapse and emotional dependency. Alongside this, the show tackles depression, anxiety, and gender identity, presenting an unfiltered look at the challenges of recovery and self-acceptance.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019)

This musical dramedy follows Rebecca, a successful lawyer who impulsively moves across the country in pursuit of an old crush. Beneath its comedic tone, the show addresses borderline personality disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation. It treats these issues with nuance, exploring emotional instability, impulsive decisions, and unhealthy relationships, while emphasizing that real improvement requires effort, therapy, and accountability.

Sex Education (2019–2023)

Set in a British high school, the series follows Otis, a socially awkward teenager who starts an underground sex therapy clinic with his classmates. Through its ensemble cast, the show explores trauma, anxiety, and identity issues in a deeply interconnected way. Storylines around sexual assault recovery, panic attacks, and emotional repression are handled with sensitivity, while emphasizing openness, communication, and the importance of support systems in navigating personal struggles.

In Treatment (2008–2021)

Structured around therapy sessions, the show follows a psychologist and his patients across weekly appointments. Each episode dives into issues such as depression, trauma, and relationship conflicts through raw, dialogue-driven storytelling. Alongside his patients, the therapist’s own mental health is explored, highlighting the emotional complexity and mutual vulnerability that define the therapeutic process.

13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)

This series centers on the aftermath of a teenage girl’s suicide, as a set of tapes she leaves behind unravels the events that led to her decision. At its core, the show explores mental health issues such as depression, trauma, bullying, and loneliness. Rather than offering instant emotional resolution, it builds gradually, showing how pain accumulates over time. Later seasons expand into PTSD, addiction, and survivor’s guilt, reinforcing how deeply past trauma can continue to affect individuals long after the initial events.

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

The series centers on mob boss Tony Soprano, who begins therapy after experiencing panic attacks. Balancing his criminal life with family responsibilities, Tony’s sessions with his psychiatrist become a key part of the narrative. The show explores anxiety, repression, and identity conflict, portraying therapy as a difficult, ongoing process rather than a quick solution.

Fleabag (2016–2019)

This dark comedy follows a woman navigating grief, guilt, and complicated relationships while frequently breaking the fourth wall. Beneath its sharp humor lies an exploration of depression, self-destructive behavior, and emotional isolation. The story gradually uncovers how unresolved trauma shapes her actions and self-perception, blending comedy with deeply personal reflection.

United States of Tara (2009–2011)

The show follows Tara, a suburban mother living with dissociative identity disorder, as her alternate personalities disrupt everyday life. Through its family-centered narrative, it explores how trauma fragments identity and affects relationships. The series presents mental health as both deeply personal and collectively experienced, emphasizing its impact on loved ones.

My Mad Fat Diary (2013–2015)

Set in the 1990s, the series follows Rae, a teenager recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital, as she tries to rebuild her life. It tackles depression, body image issues, and self-harm through her candid perspective. The show highlights therapy, friendship, and self-acceptance as essential components of recovery, portraying progress as gradual and non-linear.

Atypical (2017–2021)

The story centers on Sam, a teenager on the autism spectrum, as he navigates relationships, independence, and adulthood. Alongside his journey, the show explores anxiety and the impact of mental health on family dynamics. It emphasizes growth, self-reliance, and the role of supportive relationships, presenting mental well-being as something shaped by both individual effort and community.