Understanding Anxiety

About Project

Quint Boa – psychotherapist and co-founder of Shoot You – has responded to deep personal concerns about worsening mental health by producing this powerful animation entitled 'Understanding Anxiety.'

Anxiety is not a disease; it is the feeling attached to watchfulness – a safety strategy we adopt to survive. Covid-19, the rise of social media and other global events have all contributed to rising cases of anxiety, particularly in young adults. How we deal with the heightened emotions that anxiety produces – such as stress, panic, fear, depression, worry - will have an overwhelming impact on the future of societal health globally.

'Understanding Anxiety' forms part of a series of animations, made available (free of charge) to anyone seeking to understand and rationalise their feelings and behaviour. Using digital cel animation – a hand-drawn style made famous by Walt Disney – we aim to provide a new outlook on the causes of anxiety and its origins in our early lives. Whilst not claiming to be a treatment for anxiety, this film aims to help those affected and use the knowledge gained as a useful foundation for change.

Since its launch, 'Understanding Anxiety' has been shared over 120,000 times on social media platforms as is regarded by viewers as a meaningful resource.