New Bedford author writes book about teens and mental health

New Bedford author Carla Bean has developed a unique method to help teens better understand emotional and mental health issues.She wrote this book and did all the illustrations. Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health.

Mr. Bean, a former teacher, came to visit. Town Square Sunday this week. Bean taught art at Lexington High School for 10 years and most recently served as artist-in-residence at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

“We all have brains and nervous systems, and when we’re upset, it takes us a while to calm down,” Bean said. “There are some simple things we can learn to declutter our minds and bodies.”

Bean is quick to admit that he’s not an expert on mental health issues, but he consulted a number of experts to make sure he got it right.

“I wouldn’t have written this book without the help of some really great experts,” she says.

“We asked a variety of therapists, social workers, and people on the front lines of helping people to review this book, making it both a safe read for children and a useful tool for professionals. I hope so,” Bean said.

A truly unique feature of this book is that it is fully illustrated, looks like a 270-page comic at first glance, and is written in a way that even children can understand.

Bean said the book is a great way for parents to start conversations with their children.

“I want parents to read this book and decide whether it’s important for their children to read,” she says. “There’s a lot of emotion surrounding this book, and so far the response has been very positive.”

Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health Available at your local bookstore or Amazon.

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