IndieFlix Shines the Light on Anxiety with Must-See Documentary, “ANGST: RAISING AWARENESS AROUND ANXIETY”

New film created to start conversations about anxiety & provide tools, resources, & hope screens on Monday, October 19, 2020, via Zoom

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 — IndieFlix, a leading independent online streaming platform, along with its non-profit arm, the IndieFlix Foundation, is sparking a global conversation about anxiety through screenings of its brand-new documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety”.  On October 19, the Fannin and Grayson County chapters of Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team (TBHLT) will hold a special online screening of the documentary via Zoom to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts.

The event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by an informative panel discussion, led by Karin Gornick, Emmy-award winning producer and Executive Producer of Angst, with special guests: Vanita Halliburton, Grant Halliburton Foundation; Aileen Hays, LCSW, Sherman ISD; Jennifer L. Hughes, PhD, MPH, Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care at UT Southwestern; Jason Isham, Integrated Behavioral Health at Children’s Health; Krisha Martin, MSSW, LCSW-IPR, TMC Behavioral Health Center; and Grace Thomas, LCDC.

Producers Scilla Andreen and Karin Gornick have one goal: to start a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety. Through candid interviews, they utilize the power of film to tell the stories of many kids and teens who discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives and relationships, as well as how they’ve found solutions and hope. The film also includes a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of all-time. In addition, the documentary provides discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, along with the help, resources and tools available to address the condition.

“Texoma BHLT is committed to improving the well-being of our community,” said Sean Norton, current chair of TBHLT’s communications and stigma reduction committee. “We feel this screening is an excellent opportunity to discuss one of the most common mental health challenges faced in the U.S. today.” According to Bill Wilson, co-Chair of the Fannin Chapter of the THBLT, “the film and screening are appropriate for junior high and older children, and the panel discussion will be adolescent centered. We encourage children and parents to watch together to help build a better understanding anxiety disorders.”

Free tickets are now available and space is limited! The screening will be held on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm and will last about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Click here to reserve tickets or visit www.facebook.com/texomaBHLT.

Part of the beauty of this film is the openness of the children and young adults featured; for some of them, the “Angst” project marks the first time they are publicly sharing their experiences with anxiety. Our hope is that their candidness and bravery will inspire our community to do the same.

While “Angst” documents the struggles some people have with anxiety, it also reveals their hope for the future. Noah, a teenager in the film, describes it this way: “Anxiety doesn’t define me. It’s not just a curse; it also gives me strength.”

“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. “Getting help early is crucial in giving people the tools they need to feel better. We just need to start the conversation.”

“We felt it was important to make a movie that could raise awareness to open up the conversation and provide hope,” said Andreen, IndieFlix CEO and “Angst” Producer. “So many people struggle with anxiety and have trouble talking about it. We want to change that.”

Anxiety disorders impact 54 percent of females and 46 percent of males, with age seven being the median age of onset, according to the World Health Organization. While anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only one-third of those suffering receive treatment. Everyone involved in the development of “Angst” has a personal experience with anxiety – from the producers to the interviewees.

“The conversation surrounding mental health really hits home for me,” said Michael Phelps. “Many people don’t understand how debilitating mental illness truly can be, and even more than that, how common it is, yet people are afraid to have the serious discussions about it. 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 encourage people, especially kids, to ask for help.”

“Angst” screens in schools and communities across the world. The IndieFlix original film is expected to reach more than three million people around the world, through 25,000 community and school screenings.

ABOUT INDIEFLIX FOUNDATION

The IndieFlix Foundation holds a unique place at the intersection of donors who want to inspire global change, and creative filmmakers who tell powerful stories that can unite and transform communities. By funding films that inspire social change and positive action, the Foundation supports documentaries that are screened in schools, groups and organizations. This brings communities together to watch films, sitting side-by-side, and allows conversations to begin. Recent documentaries include “Finding Kind, about bullying, “The Empowerment Project”, which addresses female empowerment, and “Screenagers” which delves into the impacts of social networking and increased screen time. Powered by donations, the IndieFlix Foundation’s cause-based content targets ages nine and up.

ABOUT INDIEFLIX

Founded by filmmakers, IndieFlix is a membership-based streaming service ($4.99/mo & $39.99/yr) that is one of the industry’s most meaningful global streaming platforms. IndieFlix gives film lovers access to more than 4,000 high-quality shorts, features, documentaries and series from 85 countries with an emphasis on content for a purpose. IndieFlix is available on just about any internet connected device, anywhere in the world. In addition to being a distribution streaming service , IndieFlix has several original social change projects  in production. For more information about IndieFlix, visit https://indieflix.com/

ABOUT TEXOMA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP TEAM

Formed in the Summer of 2017, the Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team or TBHLT is comprised of approximately 35 community leaders in the fields of law, judiciary, county government, city government, health administration, mental health, veterans wellbeing, private enterprise, law enforcement, secondary education, higher education, special education, private foundation funding, non-profit service, mental health advocacy and consumer/family. Its purpose is to bring together disparate members in conversation and action to improve the delivery of mental health services by chipping away at existing silo delivery and encouraging collaborative efforts that expand mental health service availability and effectiveness. Additionally, the TBHLT seeks to wipe out the stigma of behavioral health issues by talking about them and stressing the widespread and common nature of depression, anxiety and other conditions. Supported from the start by the Texoma Health Foundation and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, the Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team meets monthly and believes the development of collaborative relationships leads to understanding, significant change and impactful improvement in the community’s mental health.

###

PRESS CONTACT:

Sean Norton
snorton@tcog.com
(903) 813-3514

Texoma Angst Screening Press Release (.docx)