How He-Man and the Masters of the Universe helped with mental health
Did you know that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe first aired 40 years ago today? It was a popular animated series throughout the 1980s. The show follows the adventures of Prince Adam, who is the alter-ego of He-Man, and his allies as they protect the magical world of Eternia from the evil forces of Skeletor. While the show primarily focuses on action and adventure, it also touches upon some important themes related to mental health.
One of the main themes in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is the importance of self-confidence and self-belief. In many episodes, Prince Adam doubts his ability to become He-Man and save Eternia from Skeletor. However, through the encouragement of his friends and the power of the Sword of Power, he is able to overcome his doubts and become the hero that Eternia needs. This theme is particularly relevant to mental health, as self-doubt and low self-esteem are common challenges that many people face. The show sends a positive message that, with the right support and resources, it is possible to overcome these challenges and achieve great things.
Another theme is the importance of teamwork and social support. He-Man is not the only hero in Eternia; he is supported by a team of allies, including Teela, Man-At-Arms and Orko. Together, they work to protect Eternia and defeat Skeletor. This theme emphasises the importance of social support and the value of working together to achieve common goals. This is an important message for mental health, as social support and social connections have been shown to be protective factors for mental health.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe also addresses the topic of trauma and its impact on mental health. In some episodes, characters experience traumatic events, such as being captured by Skeletor or losing a loved one. The show portrays the characters as resilient and able to recover from these traumatic events with the help of their friends and allies. This message is important for mental health, as it emphasises the importance of resilience and the possibility of recovery after experiencing trauma.
Finally, the series addresses the topic of emotional regulation. The characters in the show experience a wide range of emotions, including anger, sadness and fear. However, they are able to regulate their emotions and use them to drive positive action. This theme is important for mental health, as emotional dysregulation is a common challenge that many people face. The show sends a positive message that it is possible to regulate emotions and use them in a positive way.
In conclusion, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe touches upon some important themes related to mental health, including self-confidence, social support, resilience, trauma and emotional regulation. These themes are woven into the show’s action-packed storylines and provide important messages for viewers of all ages. While the show may be seen as simply a nostalgic cartoon from the 1980s, its positive messages about mental health are still relevant today and shows that everyone has the power! So happy birthday He-Man!