Superheroes are often seen as invincible figures known for their strength, courage, and resilience. However, underneath their capes, masks, and costumes, many of these heroes silently battle with their mental health.
Batman (Bruce Wayne) – trauma and PTSD
One of the most famous superheroes who struggles with mental health is Batman, also known as Bruce Wayne. Bruce deals with trauma caused by witnessing the murder of his parents as a child. Through the years, this trauma manifests as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Batman’s struggle with his mental health is often portrayed in his isolation, mistrust of others, and his sometimes self-destructive behaviour, revealing the emotional scars left by the trauma he endured.
Moon Knight (Marc Spector) – DID
Marc Spector’s mental health is complex and heavily tied to his Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). As the show progresses, Marc comes to understand his multiple identities.
His mental health issues are rooted in his traumatic past, including abusive childhood experiences and near-death events, which triggered the creation of multiple personalities as a coping mechanism.
Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) – grief, trauma, mental instability
Wanda’s mental health issues are deeply tied to her grief and the trauma she experiences. Her painful past of losing her parents, twin brother, and later Vision triggers a series of mental struggles.
In ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ her grief and obsession with bringing back her children push her to make reckless and destructive choices. Wanda’s arc shows the psychological toll of unresolved grief, isolation, and the consequences of unchecked emotional pain.
The Flash (Barry Allen) – grief and trauma
Barry Allen deals with deep grief and trauma related to the death of his mother when he was a child, leaving him with feelings of guilt and unresolved anger, which become a central part of his backstory.
The Flash is haunted by the inability to save her and often struggles with feelings of inadequacy, which affect his relationships with other characters.
Spider-Man (Peter Parker) – anxiety and imposter syndrome
Peter Parker deals with feelings of anxiety and imposter syndrome throughout his journey. In ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’ Peter struggles with the pressures of being a teenage superhero while trying to live a normal life. He feels constantly on edge and unsure if he is doing the right thing.
As he faces the loss of Tony Stark, Peter’s anxiety intensifies and he begins questioning whether he is capable of living up to the mantle of Iron Man’s legacy.
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) – anxiety, depression, grief, and self-doubt
For Kara, the destruction of Krypton causes survivor’s guilt and grief over the loss of her home, family, and planet. She experiences feelings of loneliness, isolation, and issues with self-worth, especially due to her alien nature. She frequently questions her worth and abilities, feeling inadequate despite her heroic actions.
Embracing mental health with heroes
The portrayal of superheroes struggling with their own mental health issues makes us understand that it is not something to be ashamed of or concealed, but instead something to be talked about so that we can heal.
Ultimately, whether we are human, alien, or superhero, we all need to approach mental health in a positive manner and make sure we keep our minds healthy.
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