Teaching Animation

Online

Mental Roots is a future skills provider on The Future Skills Hub platform, providing families and supporters an opportunity to access a community and online teaching courses.

About Mental roots

Founded by Nathan Addai, an award-winning animator, entrepreneur and poet with over a decade of mentoring experience, Mental Roots enhances the mental wellbeing of young people from diverse backgrounds through the power of visual arts. By blending animation, education and mental health support, it offers a creative way to foster hope and resilience.

As a Future Skills Coach, Nathan empowers young people to cultivate positive mental wellbeing through digital animation, helping them develop crucial future skills in storytelling, empathy and digital arts, while enabling parents to engage in meaningful conversations with their children.

AS SEEN ON

Why digital animation is a future skill?

By 2035, the global digital animation industry is expected to exceed £400 billion, driven by AI, streaming platforms, gaming and immersive technologies such as VR and AR. AI tools will automate repetitive tasks, allowing human animators to concentrate on creativity, storytelling and design. Demand will surge across entertainment, advertising, education and training.

Why health and wellbeing is a future skill?

Mental health is a critical future skill because it directly impacts an individual's ability to thrive in an increasingly complex and demanding world. Strong mental wellbeing fosters resilience, adaptability and emotional intelligence—qualities that are essential for navigating the future of work. In a professional context, these skills enable individuals to manage stress, collaborate effectively and lead with empathy.

Full course

ANIMATION FOR MENTAL WELLBEING

coming soon

Learn to animate with purpose! This 5‑module course blends animation skills with mental health awareness, empowering you to create stories that look incredible and make a real social impact. You’ll explore mental health across cultures, gain hands-on experience in all stages of animation production, and develop future-ready skills in digital creativity, visual communication, and emotional resilience.

Module 1: Mental Health & Visual Arts

Gain fundamental knowledge of mental wellbeing to apply to the creation of your animated short film. You will learn to challenge harmful myths and stigmas about mental wellbeing and explore how self-expression through visual art unlocks healing and deeper connection with others.

Module 2: Animation Principles & 2D Software

Dive into the foundations of 2D animation, learning key animation principles and get an overview of the main software for the course – Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. You’ll develop digital skills while designing your own character(s) and preparing the visual style of your mental health-themed animation.

Module 3: Animation: Pre-Production

It's time to bring your initial animation ideas to life! This module guides you in writing a powerful script, crafting a storyboard, and building an animatic to shape the flow of your animation. You’ll learn to communicate emotional messages with clarity, empathy, and creativity.

Module 4: Animation: Production

Let's animate! You will learn how to turn your storyboard into smooth, expressive line animation, then bring it to life with colour and emotion. Build your confidence in digital drawing techniques while creating a short animation that carries a powerful message and impact on people’s mental wellbeing.

Module 5: Animation: Post-Production

Here, you will finish your mini animation and prepare to share it with the world. You will be guided through adding sound effects, music, and voiceover to enhance emotional impact. You’ll learn how to export and promote your film in ways that inspire others and raise awareness around mental health.

can't wait until then?

connect with NAthan in the community.

The Healing with Animation community is perfect for parents of young people under 18 and great for young people aged 18 and above. Members have access to discounted courses, regular expert support and free resources.

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Choose your next step

Animation for Mental Wellbeing: Module 1

  • Instant Access to the module

  • 3 hours of learning content

  • Bonus Material

£11

No contracts - One time payment
10% discount for community members. Join the community to access the discounted rate.

Full Course

(coming soon)

  • 1:1 and small group support from expert(s)

  • 12-15 hours of learning content

  • Competitions

£49 £36

No contracts - One time payment

Join the community to access

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MAYBE THIS SOUND FAMILIAR

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  • Confused by conflicting diet advice? It’s normal to feel overwhelmed—simplified guidance can make all the difference.

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If this sounds like you,

don't worry - we can help!

150+ HAPPY young people

What people say about Mental roots

"Loved everything so far"

"Nathan has a relatable attitude, and his story is inspiring. The students responded positively to the sessions and shared how helpful it was to have the space and time to talk about mental health with Nathan, whom they described as relatable and empowering. In anecdotal feedback, teachers highlighted that across the programme, the Mental Roots workshop showcased a refreshing and practical approach to challenging topics."

Abie Whitehead

Staff on behalf of DANCOP 'Future Leaders' project

involving multiple schools

"Highly recommend this"

The Future Skills Hub prepares young people and their families for the future of education and work by connecting them to learning communities, courses and coaches in seven future skills areas.

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