Pixar’s Inside Out 2 is raising awareness around anxiety

CMHA Kenora Branch is amping up the conversation this summer.

With the success of the animated Pixar movie, Inside Out 2, CMHA Kenora Branch is pleased to see the increased conversation around anxiety online and in the community, and the importance of addressing the stigma around expressing our emotions.

Inside Out 2 continues the story of Riley, now a teenager facing new emotional challenges. Among these new emotions is Anxiety, an orange, frizzy-haired character who plans for the future and is constantly on guard for the worst. By showcasing these experiences, the movie serves as a powerful tool to spark conversations about mental health and anxiety management.

“The movie highlights how complex anxiety can be,” said Sara Dias. “In small doses, anxiety can be a good thing – it can motivate us and make us more productive.

But if feelings of tension, fear and worry are there too much of the time and get in the way of everyday activities, it could be the sign of a problem.” 

Like depression, anxiety disorders are a common problem. In fact, sometimes depression and anxiety occur together.