Mental health is a critical issue that affects people from all walks of life, and TV shows are increasingly addressing the mental health challenges faced by Black characters. These storylines not only provide representation but also help raise awareness and normalize conversations about mental health within the Black community. From anxiety and depression to PTSD and bipolar disorder, these characters’ journeys shed light on the complexities of mental health and the importance of seeking help. Here’s a list of 25 TV shows that prominently feature Black characters navigating their mental health struggles, offering powerful insights into the challenges they face and the strength required to overcome them.
If we’re missing a show/character, please comment below.
A Million Little Things
This drama series centers around a group of friends who are devastated by the suicide of their close friend, John. As they cope with his death, Rome (Romany Malco) struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, prompting a powerful storyline that sheds light on the mental health struggles many Black men face in silence. Rome’s journey also that of the show’s highlights how mental health issues affect not just individuals, but entire families and communities.
Dave
A semi-autobiographical comedy, Dave follows rapper Lil Dicky (Dave Burd) as he navigates the ups and downs of his music career. GaTa (GaTa), one of Dave’s close friends and his hype man, battles bipolar disorder, which is a central theme throughout the series. GaTa’s mental health issues are portrayed openly, showing the complexity of managing mood swings and emotional challenges while trying to maintain a career in the fast-paced entertainment industry.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
This reimagining of the classic Spiderwick Chronicles follows the Grace family as they discover a magical world full of creatures. Jared Grace (Lyon Daniels), who struggles with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), faces emotional challenges that impact his relationships with his family and his ability to navigate both his real world and the magical world. The show incorporates mental health into the family dynamics, showing how conditions like ODD can affect family life and personal growth.
Shrinking
Shrinking is a dramedy that follows Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel), a therapist navigating his own grief after the death of his wife. The series delves into his unorthodox approach to therapy, where he begins to be brutally honest with his patients. One of his clients, Sean (Luke Tennie), is a Black Army veteran grappling with PTSD and anger management issues. Sean’s journey is marked by his struggle to reconcile his traumatic past with his present, leading to moments of self-destructive behavior and attempts at healing. Tennie’s portrayal of Sean adds depth to the show’s exploration of mental health, particularly within the context of Black experiences.
Empire
This musical drama revolves around the Lyon family, owners of a hip-hop empire, as they struggle with personal and professional conflicts. Andre (Trai Byers), the ambitious eldest son, is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and much of the drama focuses on his emotional instability, manic episodes, and the toll it takes on his relationships with his family. His journey is a central exploration of how mental illness can impact one’s identity, career, and family dynamics.
I May Destroy You
I May Destroy You is a groundbreaking British drama series created, written, and starring Michaela Coel. The show follows Arabella Essiedu (Michaela Coel), a young writer in London who, after being sexually assaulted, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. The series delves into themes of consent, trauma, and the complexities of modern relationships. Arabella’s close friends, Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu), also navigate their own challenges, including mental health struggles and the impact of their past experiences on their present lives. The show is notable for its honest portrayal of Black British experiences and the nuanced depiction of mental health within the community.
Black Lightning
This superhero drama follows Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), a high school principal who becomes the vigilante Black Lightning to fight crime in his community. His daughter, Jennifer (China Anne McClain), faces a mental health crisis as she struggles with the emotional and psychological weight of discovering her powers. The series explores how anxiety, trauma, and depression are amplified by both personal and societal pressures, particularly in marginalized communities.
Ginny and Georgia
This dramedy follows Ginny (Antonia Gentry), a 15-year-old girl, and her mother, Georgia (Brianne Howey), as they move from town to town, trying to escape their pasts. Ginny’s mental health becomes a focal point as she grapples with anxiety, self-harm, and the trauma of her relationship with her mother. Her struggles lead her to seek therapy, and the show thoughtfully addresses the importance of mental health and therapy within the Black community.
Insecure
Insecure explores the lives of Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji), two Black women navigating their careers, friendships, and relationships. Tiffany (Amanda Seales) battles postpartum depression, a topic often overlooked in Black communities, while Nathan (Kendrick Sampson) faces bipolar disorder. The show highlights how these mental health issues affect their personal relationships and emphasizes the importance of seeking help and support within the community.
Boston Public
Set in a high school, Boston Public explores the lives of both students and teachers, with Marla Hendricks (Loretta Devine), a social studies teacher, dealing with her own mental health struggles. The series focuses on her challenges managing the stress of her job and personal life while dealing with anxiety and depression. Her storyline brings attention to the often-overlooked struggles that educators, particularly those from marginalized communities, face regarding mental health.
This Is Us
This Is Us is a heartfelt drama that follows the Pearson family, focusing on their emotional journeys through life’s challenges. Randall (Sterling K. Brown), one of the family’s three children, struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. His mental health is explored deeply, with episodes depicting his therapy sessions and breakdowns. The show’s portrayal of mental health in Black men, particularly with Randall’s experiences, is praised for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Giants
Giants centers around three Black millennials navigating adulthood, with each character dealing with personal struggles. Journee (Vanessa Baden) struggles with bipolar disorder, and her challenges with maintaining employment due to her illness are a major focus of the series. Giants explores how mental health, particularly mood disorders, is misunderstood in the Black community and the impact it has on one’s ability to live a functional life.
Being Mary Jane
This drama follows Mary Jane Paul (Gabrielle Union), a successful TV anchor dealing with the complexities of her career, family, and romantic life. Dr. Lisa Hudson (Latarsha Rose) deals with severe depression and suicidal ideation, which ultimately leads to her tragic death by suicide. The show provides a stark look at the mental health challenges that can afflict even the most successful Black women, revealing how societal pressures, personal trauma, and professional success can impact mental well-being.
Black-ish
Black-ish is a comedy that follows Dre (Anthony Anderson) and his family as they navigate life, race, and identity. In a key episode, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) deals with postpartum depression after the birth of her youngest son. The show uses humor to address serious issues like mental health, making it a powerful example of how even in comedic settings, mental health struggles—especially within the Black community—can be openly discussed and addressed.
Orange Is the New Black
Set in a women’s prison, Orange Is the New Black focuses on the lives of the inmates, including Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren (Uzo Aduba), who suffers from a variety of mental health issues. The series portrays Suzanne’s struggles with schizophrenia and how the justice system fails to address mental health needs, particularly within the prison system. The show shines a light on how mental illness is misunderstood and mismanaged in marginalized communities.
She’s Gotta Have It
This remake of Spike Lee’s 1986 film follows Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise), an artist navigating her career, relationships, and personal life. After being attacked, Nola grapples with PTSD, initially refusing to acknowledge the trauma before eventually seeking therapy. The show explores the complexities of mental health in the Black community, particularly the stigma surrounding therapy and the process of healing from trauma.
Everything Now
Mia Polanco (Sophia Wilde) returns home after a long battle with anorexia, attempting to reintegrate into her family and life. Everything Now depicts Mia’s struggle with body image and her mental health challenges, offering a raw look at the emotional and psychological impact of eating disorders in the Black community.
Grown-ish
This spinoff of Black-ish follows Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) as she navigates college life. Jazz (Chloe Bailey) deals with her own depression and its depicted in depth through her character. After a classmate’s suicide attempt, Aaron Jackson (Trevor Jackson) becomes an advocate for mental health awareness and opens up conversations about depression and seeking help. The show highlights the importance of supporting one another and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities, especially among college students.
The Chi
The Chi follows the lives of several characters living on the South Side of Chicago, with storylines that delve into the impact of systemic violence, poverty, and mental health. In The Chi Season 6, the men of the South Side come together for a powerful healing circle that dives deep into mental health struggles. From trauma to leadership pressures, these honest conversations break down the stigma surrounding Black men’s mental health.
Dear White People
Dear White People follows a group of college students navigating race and identity at a predominantly white Ivy League university. Reggie (Marque Richardson) suffers from depression after being racially profiled by the police, and his story sheds light on the mental health effects of systemic racism on Black individuals. His downward spiral after the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional toll racism takes on the mental well-being of Black people.
Chewing Gum
In this British comedy, Tracey (Michaela Coel), a 24-year-old woman living in East London, experiences the ups and downs of life, relationships, and personal growth. The show delves into Tracey’s mental health struggles, including her anxiety and depression, while also exploring the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community. Her journey through self-discovery highlights the complexities of seeking help and breaking cultural barriers.
Euphoria
Euphoria is an HBO drama that delves into the lives of teenagers grappling with issues like addiction, identity, trauma, and relationships. The series follows Rue Bennett (Zendaya), a 17-year-old girl struggling with substance use disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Rue’s journey is marked by her attempts at recovery, relapses, and the complexities of her relationships, particularly with her mother, Leslie Bennett (Nika King). Leslie, a Black single mother, faces the challenges of raising a daughter battling addiction while managing her own emotional turmoil. Her character provides a poignant portrayal of parental love, resilience, and the impact of a child’s mental health struggles on a family.
The Upshaws
The Upshaws is a Netflix sitcom that centers on the Upshaw family, navigating life’s ups and downs with humor and heart. Regina Upshaw (Kim Fields) is a Black woman balancing her career, family, and personal aspirations. Throughout the series, Regina confronts various challenges, including the complexities of her blended family and her own mental health. Kim Fields, who portrays Regina, has spoken about the importance of mental health awareness and representation, emphasizing the need for open conversations about mental well-being.