Mental Roots

02/05/2024

We've surpassed 700 followers on Insta 🙌🏾🙌🏾 I'm still learning to appreciate all the little milestones in this creative movement empowering BAME young people's creativity, mental well-being and identity.

Since the last milestone of 600 followers, the following has happened:
✅ Sharing work from the brand in an open day talk and my FIRST uni tutorial session, all in
✅ Running 2 'mental health and creativity' workshops in Bemrose School
✅ Nomination for 2024 Audience Award!!!
✅ INTERVIEWS for podcasts (out now!) of and 🗣️🎤
✅ 44 NEW MINDSET GEM VIDEOS!!
✅ Various meetings with Midlands City Councils, NHS, Derby College and more about collab/project ideas (details TBC 👀)
✅ Guest panel/talks for and inspiring diverse young people

From recent followers to old timers, thanks for supporting on this mad journey.

It's not been easy this year so far - moving on from a full time mental health role and trying to upscale the brand while addressing aspects of personal wellbeing! God has been my strength for real.

We're far from done... let's see what further impact we can make on the road to the next 100!

30/04/2024

19/04/2024

Sign up for event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tiktok-creative-academy-x-baby-people-creative-derby-celebration-tickets-852789846387?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

25th April at

Posted • I am excited to invite you to join me and at the upcoming Creative Derby Celebration, scheduled to take place on 25th of April 2024! Excited to feature in the panel discussion 👀

Organised by TikTok Creative Academy, this event aims to celebrate the vibrant creativity and talent within Derby and Derbyshire, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expression that enriches the community. The event will feature workshops, performances, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for local artists and creatives to showcase their talents and connect with like-minded individuals.

Event details:

Audience: Young people aged 18 to 30 that are interested in a career in the creative industries.

Location: Déda, 19 Chapel St, Derby DE1 3GU

Time: 1pm to 4pm

If you want to come please sign up on EventBrite (RSVP) VIA MY BIO LINK 🔗

16/04/2024

I am excited to invite you to join me and at the upcoming Creative Derby Celebration, scheduled to take place on 25th of April 2024! Excited to feature in the panel discussion 👀

Organised by TikTok Creative Academy, this event aims to celebrate the vibrant creativity and talent within Derby and Derbyshire, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expression that enriches the community. The event will feature workshops, performances, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for local artists and creatives to showcase their talents and connect with like-minded individuals.

Event details:

Audience: Young people aged 18 to 30 that are interested in a career in the creative industries.

Location: Déda, 19 Chapel St, Derby DE1 3GU

Time: 1pm to 4pm

If you want to come please sign up on EventBrite (RSVP) VIA MY BIO LINK 🔗

16/04/2024

11/04/2024

Grateful for this award I had last year, and my cooperation with Generation Next moving forward... 👀🙌🏾

Generation Next has confirmed its awards ceremony take place on 4 July, where the business talent of tomorrow will be celebrated.

23/02/2024

Big up and for their BFI Future Film Festival event last Friday, showcasing previous entrants from the like yours truly! 🙌🏿

Great to see my animation on the big screen once again! 🎥🍿

I grew up in South and East London, but since moving to Derby I've grown to appreciate the immense talent and growth of the visual arts industries outside London.

It's an honour to still represent less recognised parts of the country like the East Midlands in the creative arts/media. It was great panel discussion with .notes and sharing our experiences entering our work into film festivals and what we've learned from our highs and lows in navigating the film/animation industry so far!

I'm a huge believer in 'each one too one' - regardless of my age, I love sharing what I know with other young creatives at events like this.

As I'm still seeking work within the visual arts (hint hint 😉), I'll still use platforms like this to inspire my generation and the next to make work that not only LOOKS good, but DOES good. We can use video creation and storytelling to portray societal perspectives and raise awareness on current issues, in a way people haven't considered before. We are leaders in our own right. Now is our time to be the change we want to see! Long live the creative arts! 🎨✊🏿✊🏾✊🏻

18/01/2024

Finally, a new Mental Roots YouTube video! My review of my brand's journey through 2023... in the form of a 6 MIN RAP! 🎵 🙌🏿

I know, that's LONG but that's an indication of the MANY things that happened (mostly good!!)

PREMIERING TODAY AT 18:00 (COMMENT 🎤 or DM me for the link 😁)

17/01/2024

I'M A 2024 NOMINEE!! Grateful to be shortlisted in the Audience Awards... I think the public vote for their fave one in this group??

Anyways, another indication of our first, flagship animation still impacting the animation scene. The original medium that set this whole multi-faceted brand in motion!

Hopefully we win... Will keep you posted 😉

21/12/2023

Thanks to anyone who still streamed episodes of my Podcast this year! 🙏🏿 I'm grateful especially considering that the last episode came out nearly 2 years ago! 😅
I still look back with pride on the beautiful conversations I had on there. Thanks again to for one of your episodes being the most streamed to date 😁

I started recording some interviews late 2022/early 2023 for Season 3, but I just ran out of time and energy to edit and get it out. Some of you already know how hectic this year has been for me. Who knows, I might still release those episodes one day 🤔....
In the meantime, I'm going to try apply the great wellbeing advice many of my guests have shared, and pace myself!

So with that being said, the podcast will deffo be back - when I'm able to do it without compromising my own wellbeing! DM me if you'd like to support the podcast in any way, e.g. promo, editing, interviewing.

**STREAM PODCAST VIA BIO LINK!**

20/10/2023

An animated journey into the mind of a young, black British man reflecting on his mental health.

Take a moment to watch this hard-hitting, honest and open animation by Mental Roots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrgO5b9IliA

14/10/2023

Got to revisit my uni for their open day and share my journey for a few mins on stage. 😁

Being a uni student definitely played a major part in developing my voice and impact, not just as a creative but also as a leader and role model.

Here I learned to push myself even further into new areas.

Here I began to really find my niche as an animator.

Here is where I was introduced by staff to and other bodies I've benefited from.

Here I became a filmmaker.

Here is where my award winning film and brand was born and nurtured.

That's why I want to continue giving back to students from diverse backgrounds. In uni, schools, colleges, youth clubs, wherever.
To show them that their voices MATTER. They can leave their imprint in the society around them. They can be the change.

Because it's tutors, mentors, friends, family... That taught me to believe the same for me.

Those still in education - the journey is MESSY, but VALUABLE. Stay curious, be caring, keep persevering. It's not about 'arriving' at the perfect grade or career goal, as much as it is about who you are BECOMING in the process.

Those working in education - don't take your role for granted. You're not just teaching and marking students. You're helping to raise leaders - present and future.
So lead with HEART. ❤️ We need you.



Thanks to for some of the pics 😁

13/10/2023

We reached 600 followers on Insta 🙌🏾🙌🏾 I'm still learning to appreciate all the little milestones in this creative movement empowering BAME young people's creativity, mental well-being and identity.

Since the last milestone of 500 followers, I've enjoyed sharing our work at loads of great events at awards, , , and more - as well as podcasting with 🗣️🎤

From recent followers to old timers, thanks for supporting on this mad journey. It's not been easy this year juggling all this with a demanding full time role. God has been my strength for real.

We're far from done... let's see what further impact we can make on the road to the next 100!

04/10/2023

My animation is still being showcased to new audiences! Thanks for screening again to the young creative community in Birmingham.

If you haven't seen this innovative animated short exploring , check it out in bio link!

Thanks for being the plug and sharing these pics 😁

(BTW audio is also yours truly... if you know, you know 😜)

29/08/2023

My second time guesting on someone else's podcast! Thanks to Daniel Kelly for having me on his podcast 👊🏾
EPISODE OUR NOW on and

We discuss black representation in animation, various factors affecting first gen Black Brits' mental well-being and identity, and other stuff I've been doing... 👀

Pod episode coming soon to YouTube... 👀

30/05/2023

It was a pleasure to share and discuss the second animation of our short film series, 'Black Female Living', at the Dubrek Studios Five Lamps event last week. This animated documentary visually conveys some of the real black female stories in our Mental Roots Podcast, exploring self care and acceptance, dynamics between black men and women, and more! Watch it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM8VBUq6Vz0.

It's important as filmmakers and creatives generally, that we're in communities like this where we openly discuss the nitty-gritty of our process, our visions... and of course some critical feedback!

What community are YOU in that pushes you to develop your craft?

18/05/2023

Great to see more copies of my issue at barbers yesterday! It's a wholesome thing to spread the news and message of in the black community of Derby.

Follow to find out the la

16/03/2023

Ran our first boys' mental health workshop last week! Thanks to Empowered Youth and Enthusiasm Trust for allowing me to try mentor these teen boys whom society often overlooks and underestimates. Tbh it was HARD to engage these guys, but I belive there's a few gems on masculinity and mental health that would have stuck with at least some of them. Don't underestimate your legacy! Every seed you plant is worth it. ♥️

16/02/2023

More incoming press for the BFI Film Academy ! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 Check out my interview with The British Blacklist in link below.
https://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/tbb-talks-to-nathan-addai-creator-of-mental-roots/

11/02/2023

How does our cultural roots affect our present relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments. 🤔
Watch full animation 'Black Female Living' here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrgO5b9IliA&t or via my bio link!

11/02/2023

What does good communication between men and women look like? What's the benefits of it? Share your thoughts in the comments. 🤔
Watch full animation 'Black Female Living' here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrgO5b9IliA&t or via bio link!

09/02/2023

My BBC Radio Derby interview, pt 3! It was interesting to start dissecting such a complex topic within a couple of minutes...

Ideally, I could have added that although there are more opportunities for black people to get ahead today than in our parents' generation, institutional racism is still very real today.

Though this clip doesn't highlight it as much, I still acknowledge that the need to prove yourself more as a black person in various spaces is still a real psychological pressure that comes with its own anxieties.

Empathy between black Brits and their migrating parents is so needed!

Hear the full interview here, from 1:41:30 timemark - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dvc30v.

08/02/2023

STOP scrolling! What thoughts have you been thinking today? Are they weighing you down or building you up? Which ideas need challenging? 🤔
Watch the full animation 'Black Female Living' here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrgO5b9IliA&t or via bio link!

07/02/2023

Abusive relationships - how do we take a stand against them? Drop your thoughts in the comments... 🤔

Watch full 'Black Female Living' animation here https://youtu.be/JM8VBUq6Vz0 or via our bio link!

06/02/2023

What do abusive relationships look like? 🤔 Check bio link to watch full film!⁣