Film, Forum On Teen Anxiety Coming to Westfield High School

WESTFIELD, NJ - Sports luminary Michael Phelps discusses mental health as part of the film "Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety" screening Tuesday in Westfield.

The film is part of a program set up by the the Westfield High School PTSO for parents and students ages 10 and up to a special screening of the documentary 6:30 p.m. at Westfield High School, followed by a discussion panel.

According to organizers, this documentary is sparking a global conversation about anxiety, and is meant 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.

Producers Scilla Andreen and Karin Gornick said they 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 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.

Westfield School District’s Director of Counseling Services, Maureen Mazzarese, will moderate a panel discussion following the film. The panel will be comprised of:

Susan Chan, a behavioral health clinician at Atlantic Health System, works with
adolescents and adults using a variety of therapeutic interventions to address
mental health problems of Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Grief and Crisis
Intervention

Tom Fowler, Vice President of Operations at High Focus Centers, specializes in
skills-based, empirically-validated treatments, with specific expertise with
individuals in acute crisis

Meg Hamilton, a Westfield High School graduate, is a licensed clinical social
worker who works as a psychotherapist with children, adolescents, adults and
families

Tim Hamway is a licensed psychologist, school psychologist and Director of
Special Services in several prestigious school districts. His practice emphasizes
holistic health with a consideration of the effects of diet, nutrition, and exercise
patterns and their relationship to personality functioning.

Attendees are invited to arrive at 6:20 p.m. to participate in a meditative and de-stressing deep
breathing exercise. Admission is free and space is limited, tickets be reserved by clicking here.

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