Our Story

Jonathan Barkan (The Horror Collective, DREAD, Bloody-Disgusting) has teamed up with producer Andrew Hawkins (Jan Švankmajer’s Insect, In Search of Darkness: Part II) to create Mental Health and Horror: A Documentary a feature-length documentary discussing the positive impact horror films can have.

Mental Health and Horror: A Documentary will feature interviews from horror icons, fans, film critics, historians, directors, writers, and professionals from the mental health world. We have launched this Indiegogo: In Demand to give everyone the opportunity to be a part of and contribute to this documentary who may not have gotten the chance the first time. The support for Mental Health and Horror has been incredible and the outreach asking for ways to support has been overwhelming, but this campaign is the best way to support and become included.

So far our cast includes:

And more! See our IMDB for details!

As well as creating the documentary, Jonathan Barkan will be writing and directing. Andrew Hawkins and David Lawson Jr. (Spring, The Endless, Synchronic) will act as executive producers with Alice Collins (Fountaine and the Vengeful Nun Who Wouldn’t Die), Zena Dixon (co-host of the Bloody-Disgusting Podcast), and BJ Colangelo (Labrys, Deathcember) as producers.

Also on the production are Art Director Jason Kauzlarich (FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards), DP Shane Izykowski (Snaggletooth), Motion Graphics Designer Tim Weidelman, and Editor Lindsay Ragone (Drag Race Canada).

Our main and alternate posters.

Quotes from Our Team

“When the idea of this documentary came into my mind, it refused to let go. I have been dealing with mental illnesses for a long time and horror, which I’ve loved my whole life, has always been there as a means of support,” says Jonathan Barkan. “There are two goals with this documentary: the first is to let that person in the middle of nowhere, the one who loves horror but has no support system or access to mental health resources, know that they are not alone. The second goal is to actively fight against harmful stereotypes and stigmas that our community faces on a daily basis. Horror has been the black sheep of cinema and society for too long. It’s time we show how powerful, important, and helpful the genre can be for countless people around the world.”

Andrew Hawkins elaborates, “Mental health and Horror, to me, is extremely important. As someone who has dealt with abuse, mistreatment, bullying, loss, and hardship; horror has always been an escape and a comfort. I grew up in a family that loved horror as much as they did drama, comedy, and every other genre of film. Horror was communal and horror meant safety with family and togetherness. I have always kept that with me through times of stress, anxiety, and depression; and more than anything, I want to see this documentary help everyone who needs it.”

Our specially designed enamel pin.

“When Jonathan Barkan and Andrew Hawkins first informed me about Mental Health and Horror, I immediately felt connected to the project,” says Zena Dixon. “I’ve been watching horror movies my entire life. Whenever I’m having a bad day, good day, stressful day, so on, I watch a horror movie or put on a series. There are so many horror fans I personally know who also use horror as a coping mechanism. Therefore, to be a part of a project like this is truly a dream come true. I’m honored to help shine light on an important topic in our world, while also discovering deeper meanings to my own need for the horror genre.”

“I am someone openly enduring life with bipolar disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, I’ve always found horror movies to be one of the greatest tools for navigating my more difficult emotions,” BJ Colangelo comments. “Learning how to deal with fear, grief, and even mortality through the safe distance of a movie has always resonated with me, and is the dominant motivating force in both my work as a horror film analyst and as a trauma-informed immediate care provider and educator. For those that find solace in horror, the medium can be a really impactful way to learn how to get through it all. There are a lot of people who have used horror movies to learn how to fight the monsters in their own minds, and it’s high time that we de-stigmatize horror as a coping mechanism.”

“As someone with a family history of mental illness, as well as my own personal struggles, destigmatizing not only mental illness but the horror genre as a tool for healing is a subject very close to my heart,” adds Alice Collins. “Horror has given me the gift of facing my traumas in a controlled environment where I can feel safe. Without fail, it has always been the horror genre that’s brought me back from the brink and been a place where I find my comfort and strength.”

Our Rewards

Risks and challenges

We recognize that such a sensitive topic must be done with care and respect. To that end, we will be working closely with mental health professionals as well as members of the horror community to ensure that our documentary is not exploitative, demeaning, disrespectful or biased. Our production crew is also committed to maintaining a COVID-free environment as we continue to adhere to safety guidelines during filming. Potential delays may occur due to the ongoing global pandemic.