A pandemic, nationwide protest and uprising, a presidential election, and cascading challenges facings individuals and communities across the globe, many of us have struggled with our mental health. Despite the prevalence and normalcy of these feelings and experiences, stigma continues to follow mental illness.

For Doan, drawing, performing, and sharing have helped him – and others – cope. Therapeutic and alleviating symptoms, drawing, performing, and storytelling have helped Doan to imagine his mental health, rather than to be defined by mental illness. The Anxiety Project, invites others to draw for their mental health too. He is a Professor of Theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture and Artist-in-Residence for the College of Nursing at The Pennsylvania State University. Doan served as the Penn State Laureate for 2019-2020.