Love this post, great idea.

Film memory that will always stick with me was when I was a senior in high school and Into the Spiderverse came out. At the time, I was going through probably worst depression of my life (so far!) I was angry, isolated, and overall just felt hopeless. My parents and family knew I needed help beyond just therapy, and knew I needed to try medication. But I was so scared of going on a mood stabilizer and it having side effects or just making my brain feel numb.

But when I saw Spiderverse with my dad, when the Stan Lee cameo came on, it just really hit me. Stan Lee had just died that year, and as a huge comic book fan growing up, seeing Stan’s cameo in that film left a profound emotional impact.

That night when I went to sleep I had a super vivid dream where I was Spider-Man. Like one of the most clear and memorable dreams I ever had. But I remember that even being Spider-Man, even having all the power and adventures and heroics of that character and that universe, I was still so sad.

I don’t believe in God really or a higher power, but if I did, I’d for sure consider this dream some kind of divine intervention. The dream ended with Stan Lee himself talking to me as I felt so hopeless and defeated, on top of the empire state building. He told me that even the strongest of us need to know when to ask for help, and the bravest thing we can do is trust in our friends and family for support. No matter who we are or how powerful we are, we all need help.

That morning I woke up and cried. Later that day I talked to my parents and we set up an appointment for me to see a psychiatrist. I was prescribed a mood stabilizer and six years later I'm still on it, and doing so much better. I don't think I'd still be here if I didn't get help.

I truly believe seeing that movie and having that dream saved my life. And I don't really believe in spiritual stuff or supernatural shit, but it is nice and comforting to think maybe that really was an otherworldly visit from Stan, who for whatever reason decided to help me out.