THE FILM

A global journey uncovering the Hidden Pictures of mental health and the people working to change the narrative.

Filmmaker Delaney Ruston draws from her personal experience and a global perspective to explore the silence surrounding mental illness. Traveling to countries including India, South Africa, China, France, and the US, she uncovers powerful stories of bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety. The film raises difficult questions about mental health care, cultural differences, and the rights of those affected. It ends by highlighting inspiring efforts worldwide to break stigma and transform how we understand and support mental health.

As seen on PBS nationally, and presented at universities, community groups, and film festivals.

"Hidden Pictures is a provocative film…I found myself immediately pulled in and deeply moved by each of the stories it revealed. Global in its scope, but yet so personal in its delivery."

Glenn Close, Actress
“I believe those who see Hidden Pictures will be motivated to join actions to alleviate the vast public health problems and human suffering that mental illness can produce.”

Norman Sartorius, Former Director of Mental Health at the World Health Organization and Former President of the World Psychiatric Association
“From the director of one of the best films on mental illness, Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia, comes another winner! Hidden Pictures is a deeply moving film about the lives of people with mental illness in five countries, all of which share a narrative of stigma and obstacles to appropriate care. This is the first film which vividly portrays the universal experiences of mental illness and is a must see!.”

– Dr. Vikram Patel, Professor at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Co-founder of The Movement For Global Mental Health
“What a fantastic film! Delaney Rustin weaves together a broad spectrum of glimpses into the lives of persons with serious mental illness and their families. Her presentations of the perspectives of those in India, China, South Africa, France and America provide the viewer with fascinating views of how mental illnesses are experienced in different parts of the world.”

Fred Frese, Ph.D, Professor in Psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University and National Spokesman on Living With Mental Illness
“With bravery and deep compassion, Hidden Pictures confronts the debilitating stigma associated with mental illness around the world, and boldly suggests that we can do better. In exposing the pervasive shame and secrecy surrounding mental illness, Ruston advances a movement to improve access to treatment and services, to protect patients’ dignity and human rights, and to alter the dialogue about mental illness in rich and poor nations alike.”

Paul Farmer, MD, Chair of the Department of Global Health at Harvard Medical School and Co-founder of Partners In Health

THE FILMMAKER

A doctor and filmmaker, Delaney Ruston uncovers stories that challenge how we see mental health worldwide.

A Stanford-trained physician, Delaney combines her medical expertise with filmmaking to create honest, impactful stories. Her work includes the award-winning Unlisted and Hidden Pictures, which was filmed across five continents and aired nationally on PBS. She also created the acclaimed Screenagers series, which has reached millions worldwide through community screenings. Driven by a personal connection to mental health, Delaney continues to shine a light on issues often left in the shadows.

LEARN MORE

OTHER FILMS

UNLISTED
A STORY OF
SCHIZOPHRENIA

SCREENAGERS GROWING
UP IN THE DIGITAL AGE

SCREENAGERS:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDITION

SCREENAGERS:
NEXT CHAPTER

SCREENAGERS:
UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OTHER PROJECTS