Once upon a time in the vast Marvel universe, there were superheroes who not only fought against evil villains but also battled their own demons. These superheroes had their own unique struggles with mental health and their stories highlighted the importance of appropriate portrayal and discussion of mental illness.
Let us start with Tony Stark, the brilliant mind behind Iron Man. Tony suffered from PTSD after his near-death experience and imprisonment in the first Iron Man movie. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, he experienced a panic attack, which was depicted in a very realistic manner. In this scene, Steve Rogers (Captain America) recognised that Tony’s behaviour was not normal and tried to help him.
Steve: “Tony, you alright?”
Tony: “I’m fine. I’m fine. It’s just a little headache. It’s probably nothing.”
Steve: “You’re no good to anyone like this. Come on.”
This conversation emphasises the importance of checking up on a friend when you sense that something is not right. It is crucial to discuss mental health openly, destigmatise it, and support those who need it.
Another character who struggles with mental health is Bruce Banner, AKA the Hulk. In the 2012 movie The Avengers, Bruce struggled to control his anger and deal with the consequences of his past mistakes. In discussion with Tony Stark, Bruce admitted that his self-loathing was an obstacle in his life, and he could not forgive himself for turning into the Hulk.
Tony: “You really think that you can control it, Bruce?”
Bruce: “Because right now, I’m not so sure what I’m capable of.”
Tony: “You’re gonna be okay. Listen to me. It’s okay. It’s okay. Stay with me.”
Bruce’s character shows the importance of seeking professional help and support from loved ones.
Jessica Jones is a Marvel character who shows the consequences of trauma through PTSD. As a superhero and a survivor of abuse, Jessica struggles with alcoholism, depression, and anxiety. In the Netflix series Jessica Jones, she opens up to her step-sister Trish about her knotty mental state.
Trish: “Jessica, talk to me. I know it’s bad. Just tell me what happened.”
Jessica: “I was raped… They never caught the guy. And I stopped fighting back. I just, I let him… He raped me, and I never, not once, got to punish him for it.”
Jessica’s story shows the reality of PTSD and how trauma can impact mental health. It is important to speak to a therapist or professional and trust loved ones with your experiences.
In the Marvel Universe, Thor, the God of Thunder, is another superhero who struggles with mental health. In the movie Thor: Ragnarok, he suffered from depression. After the death of his father, Thor lost his identity and purpose. He isolates himself from the world and turns to alcohol to numb his pain.
Thor’s conversation with his friend Korg highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health struggles.
Korg: “Hey, man. We’re about to jump on that ginormous spaceship. You wanna join?
Thor: “Not much of a team if we’re only a couple of people.”
Korg: “Well, you got a pretty good team here.”
Thor: “It’s not about the team, it’s about the mission.”
Korg: “And you don’t think we’re strong enough?”
Thor: “No, it’s not that. I just … I had a really great hammer. It was … it was very powerful, and I … I loved it. And now, it’s gone.”
Korg: “Yeah. Yeah, that’s … that’s tough. Losing a hammer-like that.”
Finally, the character of Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man, shows the importance of peer support and learning to ask for help when needed. In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter struggled with the aftermath of Tony Stark’s death. He confided in Happy Hogan, who listened and offered support.
Peter: “It’s kind of hard to talk to you right now. It’s like you’re all alone.”
Happy: “You’re not alone.”
Peter: “I know I’m not alone, but I … I don’t know what to do. You know, the whole world is asking who’s going to be the next Iron Man. I don’t know if that’s me, Happy. I’m not Iron Man. And I don’t know if I’m ready to be.”
Happy: “I’m happy to be here, just … you tell me what you need, alright? You need a suit? A getaway car? You name it.”
The conversation between Peter and Happy signifies the importance of asking for help and leaning on supportive friends.
In conclusion, the Marvel universe offers valuable insight into the importance of appropriate portrayal and discussion of mental health. Thor might be a God, but he is not immune to depression. Bruce Banner might be the Hulk, but he still struggles with anxiety and self-hatred. These superhero characters teach children that mental health challenges can affect anyone, and they need to be open and supportive of those who struggle with it. It is important to seek professional help and support friends and families who are battling mental health challenges.