Documentary ‘Just Like You’ tackles mental health

Above: The documentary "Just Like You: Anxiety + Depression" is playing in theaters and streaming online. (Photo/Gravitas Ventures)

Amid all the escapist (and even some thoughtful) movies playing both in theaters and available on streaming surfaces, at least one stands out.

Its title: “Just Like You: Anxiety + Depression.”

And just as that title suggests, the film tackles one of the most challenging mental health conditions afflicting people, especially teens, today.

Written and directed by Jennifer Greenstreet, the film explores the stories of several teenagers, a couple of adults, mental-health professionals and at least one parent, all of whom are dealing with depression and/or anxiety.

Writing for the nonprofit RespectAbility, Isabella Vargas offers this view: “The film provides a blueprint for how to learn more about this serious, but often overlooked, medical condition; how to seek the necessary tools and care; and how to have open conversations with your loved ones.”

Vargas even quotes filmmaker Greenstreet on her film’s intent: to educate the public about how serious the condition really is.

“I didn’t think of anxiety or depression as serious as other conditions such as diabetes or asthma,” Greenstreet says. “But, yes, this is a real medical condition. Asking someone to just get over an anxiety attack is like asking someone to just get over a severe asthma attack… It was necessary to make a film like this to get over the stigma.”

The film is screening both in theaters and on selected streaming services.