Thanks to a partnership between the California Department of Education, iNDIEFLIX Education, the Department of Health Care Services’ CalHOPE program, and Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky initiative, the program titled “Angst: Building Resilience” is available to districts that serve middle and high school students to help address the increasing mental health challenges faced by students.

The goal of Angst is to raise awareness, connect students with support, and provide hope and coping strategies. The film features interviews with children and young adults discussing the impact anxiety has had on their lives during the pandemic. Angst also features a special interview with one of the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Phelps, who has courageously shared his own mental health challenges and helped catapult the important conversation into the mainstream.

The 75-minute program includes a 43-minute film that highlights the prevalence of anxiety among our children and youth, discussion guides, classroom activities, and homework assignments to foster discussion with parents/caregivers. The documentary-based program provides a connection to resources, classroom and family discussion guides, and exercises to help youth build resilience and emotional well-being. The program also equips educators with much-needed tools to support their students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to students, educators and parents. Children already coping with mental health conditions have been especially vulnerable to the changes. Now experts are examining the broad impacts on students as a result of school closures, physical distancing guidelines, and isolation and other unexpected changes to their lives.

To bring the “Angst: Building Resilience” program to your school district at no cost, please visit the iNDIEFLIX Education Angst web page www.indieflix.com/california.