Animation as a Tool for Mental Health Support

Animation Production for Mental health

The Understanding Series

Understanding begins long before treatment.

As a UKCP-registered psychotherapist with more than 30 years’ clinical experience, I have seen how difficult it can be for children, young people and families to understand what is happening to them. Complex psychological concepts often become clearer when they are explained visually.

Peer-reviewed research shows that well-designed animation can improve understanding, engagement and recall. Combined with psychologically informed storytelling, it becomes a powerful way to explain mental health in a way that feels accessible rather than overwhelming.

Advances in AI have made high-quality animation faster and more affordable to produce, allowing evidence-based mental health resources to reach wider audiences through social media and in multiple languages.

Since 2021, I have worked with healthcare organisations to create animations that support mental health education following the COVID-19 pandemic. My experience producing healthcare communications for organisations including the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic has helped shape this approach.

The peer-reviewed animations below are available to download free of charge to support children, young people, families and the professionals who work with them.

Ready to have a chat about animation for mental health?

This makes animation an effective medium for national and regional healthcare services, charities, schools, and support organisations seeking to communicate complex mental health information clearly and compassionately. It is equally valuable for employers wishing to support the wellbeing of their workforce, including employees working remotely.

Since their release, these animations have been saved and shared more than 250,000 times by hospitals, private clinics, educational organisations, therapists, teachers, parents and individuals around the world. Their widespread adoption reflects the growing need for accessible, evidence-based mental health resources that are easy to understand and simple to share.

Free mental health animations

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Understanding anger

Understanding anxiety

Understanding depression

Understanding alcohol

Understanding trauma

Childhood anxiety

ND: The Sally Anne Test

Understanding ADHD

Understanding CAMHS

Oura Ring: Commercial

Nacoa: Helpline Ad

Tinder: Beyond the Swipe

Feedback On QB Videos

Over the past several years, I have become increasingly convinced of the role animation can play in healthcare, particularly in mental health education and psychoeducation. These resources continue to evolve, and I always welcome feedback from clinicians, educators and people with lived experience to help improve them.

I am equally interested in ideas for new topics. Whether you represent a nonprofit organisation, charity, healthcare provider, hospital, public health agency, university, professional association, foundation or market research organisation, or you are looking for engaging animated content to support a keynote presentation, conference, public awareness campaign or educational initiative, I would be delighted to discuss how evidence-based animation could help you achieve your objectives.

As organisations face growing demand for mental health education around addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use and other psychological challenges, animation offers a scalable and cost-effective way to communicate trusted information with clarity, compassion and clinical integrity. Whether supporting patients, families, communities, healthcare professionals or employees, well-designed animation makes complex subjects easier to understand, remember and share.

Quint Boa

Healthcare Video and Animation Production

AI Video Production for Healthcare

I’ve worked for 40+ years in the film, radio, and television industry. Twenty-six years ago, I founded Synima, my global video production company.

Since 2024, I’ve embraced artificial intelligence in both the workflow and creative process. I’ve developed a hybrid AI approach that speeds workflows and reduces costs. I’ve also developed practical solutions to address copyright and IP concerns.

As a UKCP – registered psychotherapist, I’m uniquely equipped to support the video production challenges the healthcare sector faces, particularly with regard to mental health issues. Candidly, I’m evangelical about the role animation can play in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues.