How ‘Survival of the Thickest,’ ‘Mo’ and ‘Shrinking’ Are Helping Destigmatize Therapy for Men of Color

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In 1999, when “The Sopranos” first aired, it made a significant impact on culture in numerous aspects – one of which was its portrayal of a traditionally masculine character seeking therapy.

For six different seasons, the show centered around mob boss Tony Soprano often meeting psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi. This recurring plotline, which had a significant influence on society, even earned actress Lorraine Bracco recognition from the American Psychoanalytical Association.

Over six seasons, the series prominently showcased mobster Tony Soprano’s frequent consultations with psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi – a storyline that carried such social weight that actress Lorraine Bracco was awarded by the American Psychoanalytical Association at one point.

Over the last few decades, following the groundbreaking HBO series that broke down white men’s traditional reluctance towards therapy, men of color have been underrepresented in this cultural shift. Shows such as Atlanta and This Is Us, along with a limited number of other successful programs from the past 25 years, are notable exceptions where characters of color have sought therapy.

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Since the influential HBO series helped dismantle white men’s historical apprehension towards therapy, shows featuring men of color visiting therapists have been scarce, making up only a small fraction of popular TV content in the last 25 years. Programs like Atlanta and This Is Us are among these rare exceptions that portray characters of color seeking therapy.

Three shows airing this season – Netflix’s “Survival of the Thickest“, “Mo” on some platform, and Apple TV+’s “Shrinking” – delve deeply into the nuanced relationship that men of color have with psychotherapy. These compelling representations offer insightful perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and may even inspire changes in real-life attitudes towards mental health care.

Michelle Buteau, star and co-creator of ‘Survival of the Thickest,’ shares that a topic which resonated strongly with all writers is: ‘How do you prioritize mental health when you’re not even aware that you should.’ This was intriguing to her as Khalil (Tone Bell), the show’s Black male lead, initially questions therapy but eventually decides to give it a try after learning that many of his Black male friends were already attending. Buteau also found inspiration in the moment between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars; she felt, ‘Even though these two highly successful Black men have access to countless resources, they still seemed to be grappling with unresolved issues.’

The character and performer Mo Amer’s real-life relationship with his brother, who has several disabilities, influenced the portrayal of Sameer, played by Omar Elba, who is diagnosed with autism in the show. In season two, Nadia (Cherien Dabis), Sameer’s sister, finally arranges a therapy session after their mother had long resisted this step for years.

Amer, who often discusses such topics openly within his family, shares that in real life he performed this action with his brother, who responded positively. He explains that many people in their Palestinian American Muslim community choose not to confront issues directly but instead self-diagnose. However, Amer emphasizes the importance of acknowledging whether they are helping or harming Sameer in the show, stating that it is crucial for the family to progress with love, care, and understanding.

In the most recent season of Shrinking, the character Sean (played by Luke Tennie), a veteran dealing with PTSD, perseveres in therapy despite a heated argument with his absent father who dismisses the importance of it. Luke Tennie praises Bill Posley, the show’s writer, for understanding his perspective as a Black veteran, saying that we witness Sean becoming more hopeful and utilizing therapy as a means to expand his options instead of merely being corrected by it, according to the actor’s interpretation.

Tennie additionally points out that the early paternal disregard presented a chance for genuine reflection in real life. As the actor explains, “Many of these Black fathers won’t apologize, but what we’ve done is offer catharsis and a sense of hope that might persuade others to become the father who can provide this gift to their child.

These depictions delve into a realm where men of color tend to approach therapy with more caution compared to white men. According to data from the CDC between 2010 and 2013, white men experiencing daily anxiety and depression were twice as likely to consult with a healthcare professional about their mental health concerns than Black or Hispanic men.

According to Dr. Nashira Funn Kayode, a seasoned clinical social worker and mental health authority specializing in trauma, PTSD, and those involved with the criminal justice system, the connection between men of color, particularly Black men, and therapy has been influenced by deep-rooted systemic biases, cultural prejudices, and a lingering suspicion towards mental health services. This history often results in Black men being less inclined to seek help and more prone to receiving subpar care when they do.

However, experts note an increase in portrayals of men of color in therapy settings, which is attributed to both the growing number of writers of color during the streaming era and a shift in societal attitudes towards mental health.

Stephanie Troutman Robbins, head of the Gender & Women’s Studies department at the University of Arizona, explains that since the 1990s and 2000s, there has been an increase in the number of children, particularly boys of color, facing disciplinary issues at school and learning difficulties. As a result, she notes, many more adults today had encounters with guidance counselors or psychoanalysts during their childhood due to these challenges.

The trajectory of television may fuel these changes even more. A study conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2016 revealed that on-screen portrayals of therapy helped reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Additionally, it has been mentioned that an increase in male therapy attendance could be attributed to the character Tony Soprano from television.

Experts anticipate that these fresh portrayals will clarify processes that are typically hard to access or under-illustrated, asserts Troutman Robbins.

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According to Troutman Robbins, experts expect the new depictions to unveil hidden or less-explained procedures.

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Troutman Robbins states that experts are eager for these new representations to make complex or seldom-shown processes more understandable.

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Troutman Robbins shares that experts look forward to these new visualizations demystifying processes that are usually difficult to grasp or underrepresented.

This tale was initially published in a solo edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine for June. If you’d like to get the magazine, click here to subscribe.

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2025-06-05 21:25