Jenny Jingxuan Chen

To be seen, to be heard

Social anxiety is being defined as a disease model, which has become the third most common mental illness in the U.S, but there is still a lack of public understanding of this issue as it often goes unspoken. Guided by the questions of what social anxiety is and how it affects people, this thesis researches how internal and external factors influence people producing, sustaining, and experiencing social anxiety. Through my research, I found that social anxiety is entangled deeply with the environment, situations, and interpersonal interactions; especially within the unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations, instead of an innate problem. Workplace flourishes social anxiety as people are constantly being evaluated by others, exposed to new situations, and required to perform well, which leaves no room for people to tell their struggles and seek support. In this thesis, I create tools and activities for people to support themselves and their peers while making space and media for people to voice their needs. This thesis is an act to advocate for awareness of emotions at work and the need of creating an emotionally supportive environment built on mutual understanding, support, community, and care.