Mental

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Soapy but thoughtful drama looks at mysteries of the mind.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this medical drama explores a wide variety of mental illness. Its approach is nonjudgmental and informative, but some of the subject matter -- and the effects used to highlight patients' delusions -- may upset some viewers. The main character sometimes uses far-fetched and/or illegal tactics to help patients; characters are also involved in soap opera-esque storylines involving romance, friendship, and infidelity. There are discussions related to alcohol and drug abuse, but most actual drinking is done by adults in a limited social context. Expect some salty language of the "hell" and "damn" variety.

  • The series looks at mental illness from a compassionate and illuminating point of view, though Dr. Gallagher sometimes employs illegal tactics to help a patient. One doctor is cheating on her husband. Tthe characters are from various racial/ethnic backgrounds; one is gay.
  • Some patients get violent when they become delusional and yell, scream, and throw furniture at those trying to subdue them. Others imagine killing themselves or hurting others; bloody images of these dreams are often shown.
  • Some strong sexual innuendo, plus scenes of doctors kissing and fondling each other's bottoms, as well as delusional patients imagining that they're enjoying a sexual escapade. In one episode, Dr. Gallagher takes off his clothes to help calm a delusional patient (no nudity is shown).
  • Audible language includes words like “hell," “damn,” and “piss off."
  • Not applicable.
  • References to drug and alcohol addiction throughout the show, but these discussions are usually offered in a medical context. There are also lots of discussions about drug "cocktails" for patients. The hospital staff is sometimes shown drinking at home (beer) or socially (wine, mixed drinks).

What's the story?

MENTAL follows psychiatrist Jack Gallagher (Chris Vance) in his new position as the director of Psychiatric Services at Los Angeles' Wharton Memorial Hospital. While searching for creative ways to help people dealing with a wide array of syndromes, the dedicated doc often finds himself at odds with his boss, hospital administrator/former flame Nora Skoff (Annabella Sciorra). And then there's the drama brought on by his colleagues -- including resentful Drs. Veronica Hayden-Jones (Jacqueline McKenzie) and Carl Belle (Derek Webster) -- and the younger medical professionals who need mentoring, like nurse Malcolm D. Washington (Edwin Hodge) and residents Arturo Suarez (Nicholas Gonzalez) and Chloe Artis (Marisa Ramirez). As he strives to help his patients, inspire his staff, and deal with annoying administrative responsibilities, the quirky Gallagher also quietly holds on to the hope that he'll somehow find his mentally ill sister.


Is it any good?

 

Mental demystifies mental illness by showing it through the eyes of both the doctors and the patients. It explores the featured disorders in a way that's informative and revealing rather than tragic or sinister. It also highlights the existing tensions in the medical community, which is still full of conflict about the appropriate way to treat patients who suffer from these kinds of afflictions and help them reclaim their lives.

Although the show is open-minded and compassionate, it relies on some so-so dramatics to keep the stories going. Some of Gallagher's treatment tactics are a little far-fetched, and some of the special effects meant to help viewers "see" patients' delusions are a bit over-the-top. And like most medical dramas, Mental intertwines the patients' stories with the staff's romantic and personal relationships. Still, in the end, Mental offers thoughtful -- if not thought-provoking -- entertainment.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how the media depicts the mentally ill. Why are people with mental illnesses often shown on TV shows or in movies as being funny or violent? Do shows like this one contradict these stereotypes or reinforce them? Families can also discuss how societies have looked at mental illness over the centuries. Did you know that in some cultures, people who suffered from illness-related delusions were often seen as god-like creatures, while other cultures burned people with mental illnesses as witches? How does historic context impact the way we think about the mentally ill today?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Educator and Parent of 4, 5, 12, and 14 year old
June 14, 2009
 
piss

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Parent of 7, 9, and 15 year old
June 11, 2009
 
i hated this show
i think kids should not watch this and adults shouldnt either my kids are no longer alowed to watch this

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Fox
Cast:Annabella Sciorra, Chris Vance, Jacqueline McKenzie
Genre:Drama

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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