Anxious Nation Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Join us for the award-winning documentary exploring anxiety

St. Nicholas and St. William Mental Health Ministry is grateful to be able to host an in-person screening of the documentary film Anxious Nation followed by a live-panel discussion.

This film will show at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at St. William Hall at 611 S. El Monte Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94022. Free reservations are required due to spacing issues and walk-ins will be permitted if there are any open reservations. Doors open at 6:00 pm and light refreshments will be served.

This award winning film speaks to harnessing anxious energy for good!

The filmmakers mission is to create a unified community for people struggling with anxiety that encourages open dialogue and the sharing of coping strategies. By shining a light on this often-hidden issue, we seek to create a more compassionate and understanding society that supports those grappling with anxiety.

Please register now at this link to reserve your seat!

Reservations are free, but space is limited. Walk-ins will be allowed if there are open seats.

Anxious Nation explores and captures the many faces and facets of anxiety. This feature-length documentary deeply looks into the anxiety and the mental health crisis in America, especially its impact on young people (ages 10-26) and families. The film looks at the various ways anxiety shows up, the nurture/nature debate, situations in homes and society that are significantly adding to the problem, the mental health crisis on college campuses, and the impact of anxiety in lower socioeconomic communities, especially the Brown and Black communities. We discuss stigma, loneliness, isolation, disconnection, the alarming rise in suicide, the dangers of social media, incorrect diagnoses, and the horrific mental health ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion Panel & Tabling

Kevin Bernaga - Associate Youth Director, Diocese of San José

Fr. Angelbert Chikere - Director of LIfe, Justice and Peace, Diocese of San José

Kathy Forward - FaithNet Advisor, NAMI

Sam Kotmel - ASPIRE Outreach Coordinator, El Camino Health

MaryLynne Rodriguez - Counseling Department Chair, Saint Francis High School

Tessa Rynolds - Rehabilitation Counselor - Harm Reduction, The Q Corner – Harm ReduQion Project Specialist, Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services

Breenu Sra - ASPIRE Clinician, El Camino Health

Pre Screening Questions to Ponder

How do you take care of your mental health?
How would you describe a meaningful connection in your life?
When mental health challenges arise, what strategies do you rely on?
What can you identify as existing barriers that get in the way of someone accessing mental health support? (e.g., gender, age, race, etc.)
Think about a recent time in your life when you were anxious. How did you feel? What triggered those feelings? How did you manage your feelings? What support did you lean on to help you through this experience?

What People are Saying

“When we think about whether or not kids are more anxious today than they were in the past, the answer is yes. The statistics show it in terms of the numbers rising. Kids are more anxious today because they are constantly being put into situations, not all of them bad, where they’re being evaluated.”

- DR. DAN SIEGEL, ANXIOUS NATION

“The most common
illnesses of childhood and adolescence are mental health disorders.”

- HAROLD KOPLEWICZ, M.D., PRESIDENT AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR, CHILD MIND INSTITUTE

“My mission is not to be the perfect parent. My mission is to be an awakened parent. And part of being awakened is looking in that mirror and seeing that shadow aspect. And parents don’t want to look, but we have to look. We have to be a brake for our children. This is not about being perfect parents. This is about being awakened.
You know, parents feel shame and guilt, and I say, ‘But that’s your opportunity. Look at it as the turning point. Look at it as the invitation, and then let’s course correct.’”

- DR. SHEFALI,
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR, ANXIOUS NATION

“The advice that I would give to parents who have anxious kids... Sometimes the kids just need your healing, and you really just need to be there and just give them a big hug or ask what’s wrong. You just need to be there for them if they’re really upset about something.”

-JONAH BURNS, TEEN, ANXIOUS NATION

Who should see this film?

This film is recommended for students 10+, parents, educators, coaches, catechists, and anyone who has experienced anxiety or knows someone who has...that means all 10+!

How can I find out even more about this film?

Anxious Nation has created a rich website with much information and knowledge about anxiety with resources.

How can I find out more about the Mental Health Ministry?

You can find out more about our Mental Health Ministry & events including Judge Steve Manley speaking on ACEs and Coping on Friday, April 26 at 7 pm on our website.

How can I find out about other Mental Health Ministries throughout the Diocese of San Jose?

You can learn more about what other parishes are planning via the diocese website.

Here for our community - El Camino Health ASPIRE

After-School Program Interventions and Resiliency Education® (ASPIRE) helps children, teens and young adults with anxiety, depression or other symptoms related to a mental health condition.

https://www.elcaminohealth.org/services/mental-health/specialty-programs/aspire

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but NAMI is there for YOU every month!

The mission and values of NAMI Santa Clara County are to help people with a lived experience of mental illness and families by providing support, education and advocacy; to promote research; to reduce stigma and discrimination in the community; and to improve services by working with mental health professionals and families. Find out more on their website.

You Matter
Your Mental Health Matters You Matter to Us

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