Faculty member addresses mental health in children's book
Looking to close a gap in available children’s literature about serious subject matter, University of Saskatchewan (U of S) College of Education Professor Beverley Brenna focuses on suicide prevention in Fox Magic, her latest book for children ages 10 or 12 and up (depending on children’s maturity and interest in the subject matter).
By Nicole Betker, Education Communications
When the story begins, protagonist Chance Devlin’s two best friends have already taken their own lives as part of a suicide pact that Chance escaped. Chance is now struggling with grief, loss and guilt. A connection to a mysterious red fox named Janet Johnson, relationship-building with her father, and a group of essentially supportive classmates help her realize that people care about her and that Chance is not alone.
Written more gently for potentially younger readers than most books on this subject, Fox Magic, released in September 2017, discusses through magic realism a number of issues such as suicide and bullying. It also touches on the importance of healthy relationships and healing.
“As a researcher of children’s literature, I am interested in where there are gaps,” said Brenna, a member of the college’s Department of Curriculum Studies. “As a writer, I sometimes think of how I can use my work to fill in places where topics are currently missing. One of the things I noticed was a lack of age-appropriate material for middle-years’ students relating to mental health and suicide. At the same time, I was hearing stories in the news and from friends, family, colleagues, of suicide in our province—relating to young children – 10, 11, 12 years old - and I thought is there any way I can possibly contribute to prevention efforts?”
The federal government declared Oct. 1-7 Mental Illness Awareness Week in Canada in support of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, 2018. The week provided opportunities to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and to build support for people in need. A Public Health Agency of Canada’s media advisory stated that one in three Canadians will experience a mental illness or a substance use disorder in their lifetime.
“We are much better as communities in addressing mental health in both children and adults than I recall from my own childhood,” said Brenna. “It’s been a subject I see talked about in media, in education, and through various art forms, and I really celebrate that. It’s been a topic that’s been kept silent in the past and I think it’s really beneficial now that we are treating mental health as any other aspect of health and part of the human condition. One key thing I learned when developing this book is this: Introducing the subject as a topic of discussion is not harmful to children, but caution must be taken not to romanticize suicide or dwell on aspects that would be difficult for younger readers.”
Brenna’s hope is that the book opens conversation between adults and pre-teens/teens about mental health and that healthy relationships can be viewed as positive support for everyone.
“Teachers are often the first to respond when a child gives an indication that there are mental health challenges,” said Brenna. “(Teachers and parents) need to be aware of the possibility that mental health challenges might occur in young children. And there are a lot of avenues for support for families. Teachers need to understand who to ask for help, should signs present themselves at school. Often teachers are a key connection to important mental health services for families.”
Fox Magic is connected to a free teacher’s guide that could be used in a Grade 5 to 8 classroom setting (available from the publisher’s website). It also includes an afterword from associate professor in the College of Education’s Educational Psychology and Special Education department, Dr. Tim Claypool, that speaks to mental health resources with youth wellness in mind.
While writing Fox Magic, Brenna consulted with Claypool, as well as with practicing psychologist Dr. Audrey Kinzel, to ensure she was being accurate and age-appropriate in references to mental health in the book’s storyline. She also consulted Chris Scribe, director of the Indian Teacher Education Program; Norman Fleury, Métis Elder and curriculum studies’ special lecturer; and Dene Knowledge Keeper Julius Park, to give advice, wisdom and deeper understanding of cultural responsivity and respect related to a couple of chapters where children in Chance’s grade seven classroom bring ideas from their home cultures to school as they confront particular social problems.
Brenna saw the inclusion of Indigenous voices as important, and hoped to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in developing a fictional “model classroom” where culture and diverse languages were respected.
Brenna is committed to championing mental health awareness programs by donating all of her royalties from the book to support youth wellness organizations. Donations have already gone to the Think Indigenous conference, anti-bullying organizations through the Canadian Red Cross, and OUTSaskatoon’s Pride Home.
Resources recommended in Dr. Claypool’s afterword include the following:
Canadian Resources for Suicide Prevention
Canadian Mental Health Association
Canada 211
Other Canadian youth mental health resources:
Public Health Agency of Canada – Canada’s Young People: A Mental Health Focus