It’s Kind of a Funny Story intimately depicts the impact of mental illness. Craig’s journey demonstrates both the pervasiveness of stress and mental health issues and the silencing effects of shame and stigma. Only when a person rejects stigmas and shame can healing begin.

Initially, Craig struggles to acknowledge the significance of his depression and anxiety. He feels that he doesn’t have a reason to be anxious or depressed. Craig thinks that if he were abused or went through a specific traumatic event, “I’d have a reason for being in shrinks’ offices” (11). Because Craig feels that he needs a reason to justify his mental illness, it takes him a long time to acknowledge it to himself and then finally to his parents. As difficult as it is for him to admit, “I think I might be, y’know, depressed” (99), acknowledging the presence of his mental illness is essential to Craig receiving help. Even when Craig starts receiving help, it’s obvious that he has internalized ideas about how he “should” be feeling and “should” be functioning. He tells himself he won’t be thrown in the “loony bin” (108) and tries to handle his depression on his own initially.

Even when he realizes that he cannot overcome his depression or suicidal ideation on his own, he feels guilty for needing help.