Being trapped in abusive relationships is a scenario that seems to be comparatively easy to avoid yet proves to be excruciatingly difficult to predict and address a scenario in which one becomes a victim of abuse. “The Secrets She Kept,” a 2016 movie depicting a young woman with a bipolar disorder, reveals the key signs and core dangers of, as well as essential solutions to a scenario in which one has to deal with abusing relationships. By providing an accurate depiction of early signs of abuse, the movie offers a frighteningly realistic emotional experience while educating its audience about the means of identifying abuse and escaping it.
The movie clarifies fairly early that each abusing situation is unique, which is why it is vital to be cautious and apprehensive about the scenarios and developments in personal relationships that seem weird and uncomfortable. At the same time, “The Secrets She Kept” also introduces the early signs of abuse such as the presence of secretive behaviors and the attempts at trivializing one’s legitimate concerns and health issues (Glass). Specifically, in the movie, the protagonist experiences severe mental health problems, which the people close to her consider to be a shameful secret to be kept hidden (Glass). As a result, the protagonist does not receive the essential help. The refusal to acknowledge one’s health concerns as an issue that requires assistance and support represents an obvious sig of abusive behavior, of which the movie warns its audience.
Furthermore, “The Secrets She Kept” raises awareness regarding the phenomenon of mental health problems and the risks of abuse that people suffering mental health conditions face. According to the official data recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11.7% of the U.S. population suffer from anxiety, whereas 4.8% experience depression. Furthermore, there have been 45,979 deaths caused by mental health disorders in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention par. 1). In turn, the movie illustrates the impact that social stigma produces on people with mental health concerns, therefore, demonstrating the core factors behind the specified statistics.
Finally, one must credit “The Secrets She Kept” for providing strategies that can help prevent abuse form taking place. Paying particularly close attention to the needs of people with mental health concerns, who often become victims of abuse due to their condition, the film introduces strategies geared toward seeking active help and maintaining communication with others. The support of a community offers extensive opportunities for healing the trauma, whereas refraining from contacting others and remaining in a social bubble creates additional mental health issues, as the movie illustrates (Glass). Specifically, “The Secrets She Kept” demonstrates that the removal of stigma associated with mental health issues should be seen as the most effective prevention of trauma and abuse.
With its accurate portrayal of early signs of abusive behaviors, the film offers its target audience an opportunity to educate themselves and become capable of identifying similar patterns in their relationships with others. As a result, “The Secrets She Kept” contributes vastly to the prevention of abuse and the chance for vulnerable people to escape dangerous situations before they lose complete control over it. For this reason, the movie should be regarded not only as a somber yet thrilling artistic experience but also as a guide for escaping dangerous situations for [potential victims of abuse.
Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental Health. CDC. Web.
Glass, Alton, director. The Secrets She Kept. Swirl Films, 2016.