A local primary school teacher has developed a series of books to help children understand their mind, emotions and general mental health.
Orlanda Bettison, from Curl Curl North, found there was a gap in meaningful and accessible resources to help children (and their parents) understand and manage their brain and mental health.
“Over the years, I would print off resources for parents, from different websites and recommend parts of different books,” she explains.
“So, I wrote what I’ve always wanted to give to parents to better support their children – evidenced-based information that I find effective for emotional regulation and behavioural support.”
Orlanda has created a mini-series of picture books that teach children, in an accessible and age-appropriate way, about their minds, and how to foster emotional regulation skills, resilience, and mental wellbeing.
She has started a Kickstarter campaign to get these books published and circulated so our kids can start to see the difference.
Our kids’ mental health
In 2022, the Australian Psychological Society reported a sharp increase in mental health illnesses in children compared to the two previous years. An average of 27 per cent increase in children aged 18 months to five years, and an average of 39 per cent in six- to 12-year-olds.
“Much of our education is based on the world around us and our physical health, with much less time spent on how to foster mental health and understand how our minds work,” Orlanda tells Manly Observer.
“Yet, our mental health ultimately determines how we perceive the world, respond to challenges and cope with life.”
Orlanda’s reflected on her own experience with mental health challenges, and the education she had missed which would have helped her feel better prepared to meet the challenge.
“I don’t ever remember learning about the brain, emotional regulation or strategies for mental wellbeing, and my first thought, when I experienced mental health issues during my post-natal period, was ‘I wish I knew this earlier’,” she says.
My Brain Books explore and unpack basic brain physiology at a level that is accessible to young children.
“They are more than just picture books. They are resources that educate children and parents on how their brains work and offer evidence-based strategies to help regulate emotions,” says Orlanda, who adds a degree in psychology to her years of teaching experience on the Northern Beaches.
The National Mental Health Commission states that 50 per cent of all adult mental health issues emerge before the age of 14 and evidence shows that interventions during the first six years of life can result in significant improvement in children’s early life experiences, health and development.
“When children learn to manage stress, express their emotions and seek support when needed, they are better prepared to navigate challenges as they grow older,” she explains.
“These skills can help to mitigate the development of more serious mental health issues by fostering protective self-care practices and early intervention.”
Mental health education also helps to reduce any stigma attached to mental illnesses and promotes a supportive environment where seeking help is normalised.
“By no means do I think these books are the solution for the increased incidence of mental health issues, but they are an accessible, engaging resource that can enter households and educate, prompt discussions and hopefully normalise talking about mental health,” she adds.
Want to see these books in your home or school bookshelf?
Orlanda is raising funds to publish and distribute the books through pre-orders, with an estimated delivery date of December 2024.
The books are available for a pledge of $30 each (My Brain is a Home, My Mindful Brain, My Brain First Aid, My Breath) or a pledge of $150 for all four books. There is also the option to be a Foundational Supporter for a $500 pledge where the pledger will receive all four books and an acknowledgement of support will be listed inside all of the books in their first print run. Finally, there is the option to pre-order a limited edition copy of My Brain First Aid and My Breath for a $35 pledge each.
“Ultimately, I hope to provide a meaningful and accessible resource for families that sparks a change in the way we talk about and think about mental health,” Orlanda explains.
“I want to normalise discussions about mental health and foster children’s competence to deal with issues as they arise.”
To support Orlanda, back her Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mybrainbooks/my-brain-books
