The Paper Bag Mask Foundation
strives to empower Young people and help them build confidence in themselves and their ability to cope.
We’re facing the mental health crisis head-on and closing the treatment gap by focusing on the barriers that prevent young people from getting the help they need.
The Paper Bag Mask Foundation strives to combat the ongoing mental health crisis in America by helping teens and young adults manage stress and anxiety while building confidence in their ability to cope.
Our programming involves:
hosting research-backed classes and workshops
coordinating and funding community outreach programs
education and advocacy efforts
Our mission is to de-stigmatize mental health and provide the public with Supplemental and Preventative treatments for stress and anxiety.
A Three-Pillar Approach
Our classes revolve around three pillars:
1
Movement
2
Creativity
3
Meditation
Whether you have an anxiety disorder and already have a treatment plan or are just looking to diminish everyday stress, we can all benefit from implementing this three-pillar approach.
Movement
Exercise increases the production of the same chemicals in the brain that are targeted by anxiety medications and antidepressants. Exercise helps during the short and long term and positive effects can be noticed immediately.
Creativity
By stimulating our brain through arts and writing, we boost our self-awareness and confidence. For many people, creativity is not only an outlet for self-expression, but a tool for communicating emotions.
Meditation
Meditation practices such as mindfulness and breathwork have become an increasingly popular therapy for a range of cognitive conditions. As research continues to come out, meditation has become more commonplace in mental health treatment.
And there are even more benefits.
An added effect of participating in our classes is the ability to socialize within an inclusive community. As human beings, social interaction is an essential aspect of our health— especially mental health.
Research shows that having strong community bonds is beneficial to our overall wellbeing, and we require connections with other people.
check out our research below
There’s a problem.
Paper Bag Mask Foundation exists because we know this from firsthand experience. We are dedicated to changing the narrative, because doing so will change lives and save lives.
Traditional mental health treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all and it can take months— even years— to craft a treatment plan that works.
Anxiety affects people from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and circumstances who may not be able or willing to participate in traditional treatment.
There’s a stigma surrounding mental health treatment that holds people back from seeking help.
Young adulthood is a transitional period with additional stressors: Going to college, starting a career, building new relationships, and moving out of their parents’ house.
The Statistics
40%
More than half of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment.
Only 40% of adults with a mental illness receive treatment (NAMI)
2x
Anxiety disproportionately affects young adults and is still on the rise.
Anxiety affects young adults more than any other age group and rates nearly doubled between 2008-2018 (NCBI)
48 mil
Anxiety is the most common mental illness.
It affects ~48 million adults in the U.S. each year (ADAA)
75%
Stress affects 3 out of 4 Americans.
75% of Americans report experiencing at least one stress symptom and 45% report lying awake at night (APA)
66%
2 in 3 adults say they’ve experienced increased stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of American adults have reported more stress in their life. (APA)
Get Involved
Small initiatives have huge impacts. Help us continue fulfilling our mission as a nonprofit!
Join an event
Sign Up For an event
Anyone is welcome to our events! We are excited to meet you.
Click the button above to view classes currently being offered.
work with us
Volunteer opportunities
The Paper Bag Mask Foundation operates solely through the efforts of great people like yourself. Volunteers are an indispensable facet of continuing our outreach efforts. Please join us!
Fund our programs
Make a Donation
Your generous gifts go a long way by helping to fund our events, programs, and advocacy efforts. We appreciate your support!
