Unlearning the Shame: How South Asian Media Can Work with Mental Health Experts to Create Body-Aware Content
We’ve seen it too many times.
A chubby character exists just to be laughed at.
A “glow-up” arc means losing weight and getting fairer.
And when it comes to trauma? It’s either glamorized or ghosted.
Let’s be honest — most South Asian media still doesn’t get the emotional weight behind body image issues. And that’s a problem when the audience is watching, absorbing, and living through it in real life.
So how do we fix this?
By putting mental health experts in the writers’ rooms, not just the comment sections.
💡 Why Should Mental Health Pros Be Part of Media Creation?
Because body image isn’t just about looks. It’s about trauma, identity, and mental health — all things that deserve more than a side plot.
Mental health professionals can:
- Flag problematic tropes before they air
- Guide scripts on how to portray eating disorders or body dysmorphia authentically
- Offer insights on generational trauma, shame, and identity linked to weight and appearance
👩🏽⚕️ Imagine a therapist consulting on a drama where a character is bullied by her family — not to dramatize it, but to show how healing and boundaries are possible.
🎥 What Does Trauma-Aware Media Look Like?
1. Therapy Isn’t Taboo — It’s Normalized
Instead of only showing therapy after a total breakdown, make it a healthy, ongoing choice.
📺 Show: A character regularly seeing a therapist before a crisis, just like they go to school or work.
2. Fat Characters Aren’t Punchlines or Projects
Stop making plus-size women the comic relief or the one who has to change everything to earn love.
📺 Show: A lead who is confident, complex, and loved — and never needs to “fix” her body.
3. Cultural Shame Is Explored, Not Excused
When a mother body shames her daughter, show why that behavior exists — and how it can change.
📺 Show: A family going to therapy together after years of toxic comments, with real growth and regret — not just apologies over chai.
4. Body Image Struggles Are Treated with Depth
When someone develops an eating disorder, it should be portrayed with care, not clichés.
📺 Show: The slow burn of isolation, obsession, and fear — followed by community, professional support, and recovery. Not just a sudden “fix.”
🌍 What Collaboration Could Look Like
- Therapists as Script Consultants – Paid and credited, just like historical or language experts.
- Workshops for Writers & Directors – Led by South Asian mental health professionals who understand the cultural nuance.
- On-Screen Representation of Healing – Characters journaling, meditating, going to therapy, or discussing self-worth in real, relatable ways.
🧠 Mental Health ≠ Drama — It’s Real Life
Right now, too many South Asian shows treat mental health like a twist in the plot.
But for millions of young girls watching, it’s real, daily, and deep.
Centering mental health doesn’t make your story “soft.”
It makes it impactful, authentic, and most importantly — safe.