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ACU student’s book to help children deal with mental illness

Sue Hueston, a student at Australian Catholic University (ACU), is launching a children’s picture book on bipolar disorder called Bipolar Bears.

Sue is currently studying for a Masters of Education at the University’s Canberra Campus, after completing a Bachelor of Education in 2005.

She wrote the book while studying, teaching part-time, and raising a 10-month old baby.

Bipolar Bears tells the story of a family of polar bears. The father bear has an episode of bipolar and goes to hospital. Once he is well, he returns home to be with his family.

The book is designed for children aged between five and ten years old who have a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder. It aims to give younger children an idea of what it would be like to suffer from the illness, and reassure them that support is available.  

Bipolar bears illustrator Shena Hayden with author Sue Hueston

Sue’s desire to write a story on mental illness came about after giving birth to her first child in October 2008.

“I had my second bipolar episode after giving birth and was in hospital care the following week,” she said. “I used this time to channel my creative energy and write the story.”

Sue’s father has also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“We refer to each other as the bipolar bears, which is where the title of the book comes from,” she said.

Part-time lecturer in visual art at ACU’s Canberra Campus, Shena Hayden, did the water colour illustrations for Bipolar Bears and it is published by The Mental Health Foundation.

“There is a large gap in the market for literature about mental health for children,” Sue said. “I believe it is important for them to grow up understanding mental illness, especially if it is in the family, and I will read this story to my daughter when she is a little older.”

In 2003 nearly 100,000 Australians were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although it is most commonly recognised in young adults aged from 18 to 24 years-old, bipolar disorder can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, ethnic origin, income, education or occupation.

www.bipolarbears.net.au