Emmy Effect: Why Mental Health Stories Are Hollywood's Best Investment

Joel Relampagos, Emmy Award
Joel Relampagos
Hollywood is rewriting the script on mental health storytelling. According to studies, from 2021 to 2023, the number of mental health-related stories rose by a staggering 39%. We see this with shows like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, and many others. According to the 'Shifting Minds' report, stigmatizing language such as 'crazy' or 'psycho' has also dropped by 15%. This indicates increased collaboration between the artistic and the professional worlds, which seek to bring relevant, entertaining, and accurate stories to the screen.
This growing demand opens doors of opportunity for those interested in the intersection of storytelling and emotional well-being. The opportunity lies in bridging the gap between clinical insight and compelling on-screen narratives. Being able to bring authentic mental health stories to life in a way that both resonates and entertains is an increasingly valuable skill, and one that can set you apart in today's media landscape.
Joel Relampagos and Mena Mirhom MD
Mena Mirhom MD
I sat down with Emmy Award-winning executive producer Joel Relampagos, one of the driving forces behind Hollywood's evolving portrayal of mental health. His credits include The Biggest Loser, Recipe for Change, and What Would You Do? Today, he is using his platform to elevate mental health narratives in a way that resonates with audiences and creates new opportunities for storytellers.
Joel's passion for storytelling is deeply rooted in personal experience. His journey into entertainment was fueled not only by ambition but also by authenticity and a desire to help others.
'My parents wanted me to be a doctor. I remember thinking, 'I love the idea of saving lives.' But the problem was, I was not good with the sight of blood.'
He found a different path to healing through storytelling. Early in his career, he recognized the profound emotional impact of a story that truly connects with viewers.
'It was the best thing I'd ever done because people came up to me and said, 'You changed my life. You saved my life.' That tied into the idea that there's more than one way to save a life. It's not just medicine. It's also the power of storytelling and letting other people know that they are seen, heard, represented.'
While producing the long-running show What Would You Do?, Joel worked closely with host John Quiñones to design unscripted social experiments that reflected real human experiences. One episode featured Joel's own journey through alcohol recovery, a powerful moment of vulnerability on national television.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, fewer than 10 percent of people with alcohol use disorder receive treatment. Many avoid seeking help due to stigma, shame, or fear of being judged.
By sharing his story, Joel is expanding the definition of what it means to save lives. He is demonstrating that honest storytelling can be just as life-changing as any intervention, especially when it lets others know they are not alone.
John Quinones & Joel Relampagos
John Quinones
As John Quiñones put it:
'Joel brings a sharp intellect, infectious energy, and a real sense of curiosity to the show, especially when it comes to what makes people tick and what drives the human spirit. His personal journey is both inspiring and made him a powerful addition to the series.'
For Relampagos, the turning point came when he shifted his focus from chasing ratings to telling stories that resonate.
'As a producer, success meant ratings. But I started aiming for something meaningful. People healed while talking about it.'
Jay Shetty & Joel Relampagos
Jay Shetty
Joel worked closely with Jay Shetty on Recipe for Change, an Emmy-winning series executive produced alongside LeBron James, which earned three additional nominations. In a standout episode, the star-studded cast explored themes of cultural identity, masculinity, personal growth, and activism, delivered in a way that was both raw and deeply relatable.
'Working with Joel Relampagos on 'Recipe For Change' was very meaningful. To be on a show that raised mental health awareness was an honor and I hope to see more shows like that in the world. It was great to see the show win an Emmy, though the true win was to see how many lives it touched. Joel often expresses his passion for raising mental health awareness through his work in the media. An important mission we both have in common, and for that I'm grateful.'
Sometimes, when we want a child to eat something healthy, like broccoli, we have to pair it with something they already enjoy, like mashed potatoes. This industry, after all, remains an entertainment space. The creative challenge is to take difficult stories and encounters and find the humor, levity, and complexity in them.
As Joel puts it:
'Mental health deals with depression, but it doesn't have to be depressing. We're all filled with joy and complexity. I try to sneak the broccoli into the mashed potatoes. People watch for entertainment and stay for the heart.'
This is part of why the involvement of clinical professionals earlier in the writing process often makes the process seamless. It allows the complex medical information to be woven into the story in a more natural way that is easier to swallow. As Gregory Scott, MD, psychiatrist and author of 'The Self-Healing Mind' put it:
'Having psychiatrists in the planning stage of productions is important because you have to consider where people are getting their information from. That's often from online, print, or social media -- which includes popular television shows and movies. Accurate portrayals of mental health and mental illness require having experts -- like psychiatrists -- in the planning stage of productions to avoid spreading misinformation to the public.'
This is a key moment for the entertainment industry that invites creative mental health storytellers to bring their authentic experiences, ideas, and dreams to life on screen. Will you be a part of it?
Joel Relampagos
Kevin Roldan

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