BY KAREN BOSSICK
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. But what if it becomes debilitating?
Anxiety is becoming more of a problem, especially among teen in part because of social media.
To the rescue: “Angst,” a 56-minute film, appropriate for ages 10 and older, which explores anxiety, its causes, effects and what the anxious can do.
“Angst” will be shown free of charge at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Community Campus. The free screening will be followed by a panel discussion with mental health experts. Beverages will be provided.
A second screening will be held at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater. A fair highlighting tools and resources will precede the showing at 5 p.m. Snacks will be provided.
The screenings are sponsored by NAMI-Wood River Valley, The Advocates and the Blaine County Education Foundation.
“Angst” features interviews with youth discussing the impact anxiety has had on their lives and the solutions they’ve found. And it features discussions with mental health experts about the causes, sociological effects and resources.
Among the interviewees is Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever. Phelps recently opened up about his struggles with anxiety and depression, saying that at one point, “I didn’t want to be alive, anymore.”
“I welcomed the opportunity to be a part of ‘Angst’ to further the dialogue around mental health and to help people understand the impact anxiety has on our mental state and to encourage people, especially kids, to ask for help,” he said. “Many people don’t understand how debilitating mental illness truly can be and, even more than that, how common it is.”
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge in the United States, impacting 54 percent of females and 4 percent of males. Age 7 is the median age of onset.
A local mental health specialist said during one of three screenings earlier this year that today’s kids experience more anxiety than ever because of social media bullying. And that bullying takes place 24/7 versus old-fashioned bullying, which might have taken place only on the school ground after the school bell rang.
Anxiety can rewire children’s brains, the experts say.
“Everybody needs to know that anxiety disorders are real, common and treatable, instead of viewing them as a personal choice or something to be ashamed of,” said Dr. Jerry Bubrick, senior director of Anxiety Disorders Center, Child Mind institute. “We just need to start the conversation.”
The film is produced by Scilla Andreen, CEO and Co-Founder of IndieFlix, and Karin Gornick, a two-time Emmy Award winner who has created projects for CNN and the Travel Channel.