Pop Culture
Zendaya won an Emmy for her portrayal of a teen struggling with addiction and mental health in this HBO drama
What is Euphoria?
This late comedian and actor, known for his roles in Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting, openly discussed his struggles with depression before his passing in 2014
Who is Robin Williams?
"I committed an embarrassing act at work on Monday; I'm calling out the rest of the week, to avoid comments from my coworkers."
Catastrophizing – Assuming the worst possible outcome will happen, even when there’s little evidence to support it.
Scenario: You feel a strong sense of guilt after declining an invitation from a close friend. Question: What was the trigger for your guilt?
Answer: A past experience where you felt like you let someone down, making you worry about disappointing others.
Scenario: Your coworker keeps interrupting you during meetings, making it hard for you to share your thoughts.
Answer: "I feel frustrated when I’m interrupted during discussions because I want to contribute my ideas."
This decorated Olympian shocked the world by prioritizing mental health over competition at the 2021 Tokyo Games
Who is Simone Biles?
This 2001 HBO series, starring James Gandolfini, broke new ground by depicting a mob boss attending therapy sessions
What is The Sopranos?
"You're either with me or against me... and It feels like you're always against me!"
Black-and-White Thinking (All-or-Nothing Thinking) – Seeing situations in extreme terms with no middle ground.
Scenario: You feel a wave of sadness after finishing a major work project. Question: What was the trigger for your sadness?
Answer: The realization that the structured routine and intense focus are now gone, leaving a void that feels unsettling.
Scenario: A friend cancels plans at the last minute, and this has happened multiple times before.
Answer: "I feel disappointed when plans are canceled last minute because I value the time we spend together."
This 2020 Pixar film explores the inner workings of emotions and mental well-being through the story of a jazz musician
Soul
This 1997 film, starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, features a powerful portrayal of therapy and emotional healing.
What is good will hunting
"She didn’t text back right away—she must be mad at me."
Mind Reading – Believing you know what others are thinking, often assuming they have negative judgments about you
Scenario: You suddenly feel defensive during a casual conversation. Question: What was the trigger for your defensiveness?
Answer: A comment reminded you of past criticism or rejection, making you instinctively prepare for judgment.
Scenario: You worked hard on a project, but no one acknowledges your effort.
Answer: "I feel unappreciated when my hard work goes unnoticed because recognition motivates me."
This actor, known for The Matrix, became a mental health advocate after sharing his experiences with grief and loss.
Who is Keanu Reeves?
This Netflix series, based on a young adult novel, sparked conversations about suicide and mental health when it premiered in 2017
What is 13 Reasons Why?
"You should never act out emotionally in public."
Should Statements – Setting rigid and unrealistic expectations for yourself or others, often leading to guilt or disappointment
Scenario: You struggle to concentrate after reading an emotional story. Question: What was the trigger for your distraction?
Answer: The story stirred memories of personal experiences, making it difficult to shift back into logical thinking.
Scenario: A family member dismisses your feelings, saying you're overreacting.
Answer: "I feel hurt when my emotions are dismissed because I want to feel understood."
This comedian and actor, known for Saturday Night Live, has been open about living with borderline personality disorder
Who is Pete Davidson?
This actress, known for her role in Star Wars, wrote the semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge about addiction and mental health
Who is Carrie Fisher?
"I was given a compliment but the person was probably just being nice."
Discounting the Positive – Ignoring or downplaying accomplishments and positive experiences while focusing on the negatives.
Scenario: You feel unexpectedly anxious after scrolling through social media. Question: What was the trigger for your anxiety?
Answer: Seeing posts about a friend's success made you compare yourself and feel inadequate.
Scenario: Your partner has been distracted lately and hasn’t been engaging in conversations with you.
Answer: "I feel disconnected when we don’t have meaningful conversations because quality time strengthens our bond."