In a world where mental well-being is increasingly recognized as fundamental to a fulfilling life, access to effective psychological support remains a challenge for many. At Stop Anxiety, we believe this needs to change. We’re not just the creators of a free psychological program; we are a small, passionate team driven by a profound purpose: to democratize mental wellness education and empower individuals to break free from the grip of anxiety and depression.
Our “Why”: A Story of Research, Empathy, and a Pivotal Decision
The journey of Stop Anxiety began in Romania, born from years of dedicated research and hands-on practice. We delved deep into understanding the mechanisms of anxiety and depression, seeking not just to identify problems, but to discover simple, practical, and understandable methods for explaining and treating them. It took four intensive years to develop the program and its accompanying practices into what it is today.
Initially, Stop Anxiety was launched with a modest subscription, a way to recoup the significant investment (approximately 150,000 euros) poured into its creation. However, a crucial realization soon followed: many individuals, especially students and those facing financial hardship, found even a 10-euro monthly fee a barrier to accessing the mental health support they desperately needed.
This was a turning point. We asked ourselves: why should financial constraints dictate someone’s access to knowledge that could fundamentally change their life? Why should young people, in particular, have to wait until their 30s or 40s—when they might have more financial stability—to learn how their minds work, to understand anxiety and depression, and to gain the tools to treat them?
The answer was clear. We made the decision to forgo our initial investment and offer the core Stop Anxiety psychological program completely free of charge.
Our Mission: Free Psychological Education for All
Our mission is straightforward yet ambitious:
To provide accessible, evidence-based psychological education and self-help tools to everyone, empowering individuals to understand and overcome anxiety and depression, and to lead more fulfilling lives, without financial barriers.
We are particularly focused on:
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Students: Recognizing the unique pressures and financial limitations of student life, we aim to equip young people with mental wellness tools early on.
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Mothers and individuals with family pressures: Understanding the specific stressors that can trigger anxiety and depression in these contexts.
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Anyone feeling stuck: For those who feel traditional therapy is out of reach, or who simply want to understand themselves better.
Our Core Values: Guiding Our Work
Several core values underpin everything we do at Stop Anxiety:
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Accessibility & Inclusivity: Mental health support should not be a luxury. By offering our program for free, we strive to break down financial and geographical barriers. Our digital-first approach ensures anyone with a mobile device can benefit.
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Empowerment Through Education: We believe that understanding why you feel a certain way is the first step to change. Our program focuses on demystifying psychological concepts (based on CBT, ACT, MBCT) and making them “for normal people.” Knowledge is power.
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Evidence-Based Practice: Our content is rooted in scientifically validated psychological theories and techniques. We are committed to providing tools that work.
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Empathy & Compassion: Having witnessed and researched the impact of anxiety and depression, we approach our work with deep empathy for those who are suffering. We want to help.
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Focus on Impact, Not Ego: As stated in our internal mission, “we wish to only highlight our products, not ourselves.” Our goal is to make the Stop Anxiety program the star, ensuring it reaches and helps as many people as possible.
Looking Ahead: Building a Mentally Healthier Future, Together
We are a small team, but our vision is large. We started in Romanian and, due to the incredible feedback and real-world impact, expanded to English to reach a global audience. We envision a world where understanding one’s own mind and possessing the tools for mental resilience are commonplace, not privileges.
By offering Stop Anxiety for free, we hope to encourage more people to seek and gain psychological information that can transform their lives, preventing years of unnecessary suffering.
We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to share our mission with you. Whether you’re a student seeking support, an educator looking for resources, or an organization passionate about mental wellness, we invite you to join us in making psychological well-being a reality for more people.
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