Millennial mom, Brett Lindsay Murphy, authored a book series designed to help children cope with beginners’ anxiety. She hopes The Very First book series will create opportunities for open dialogue about mental health between adults and children, especially in minority communities.
—
Mental health in minority communities requires a more robust approach and action, especially around common disorders such as anxiety and depression. Minorities also lack access to quality mental healthcare. When healthcare facilities are accessible, minorities are more likely to face administrative and financial obstacles for accessing quality check-up and treatment. Additionally, there aren’t many places to openly share and discuss such issues due to stigma. A new, three-part book series, The Very First created by Brett Lindsay Murphy, an experienced performer, innovator and founder of Bittyrina, aims to bring about the necessary change.
According to a recent University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) study, “Many types of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias, share a common underlying feature: increased sensitivity to uncertain threat, or fear of the unknown.” When this fear of the unknown is experienced by a novice, Brett Murphy calls it “beginners’ anxiety.” Though the terminology is new, children and adults alike are already familiar with the symptoms associated with beginners’ anxiety. Yet, there isn’t much mental health literature around this topic.
Anxiety affects 18.1 percent of American population each year, but only a small 36.9 percent of those affected seek treatment. Data available for the adult African-American community reveals they are much more likely to experience sadness, hopelessness and anxiety compared to white Americans. A 2013 study stated that members of the Black community carry beliefs on stigma, openness and help-seeking, which affect their coping mechanisms. Not only are African-Americans less likely to believe in the benefits of therapy and treatment, mild depression and anxiety are also seen as signs of being “crazy” in social circles.
The Very First book series aims to normalize feelings of nervousness and destigmatize anxiety, especially among minorities. To combat the dismissive shooing away of “butterflies” in tummies and “knots” in throats, Murphy hopes to start an open conversation about coping mechanisms through the story of GiGi. GiGi is a young girl who is about to begin her ballet training. The book series is based on the motto, “preparation is key,” and shows how GiGi manages to triumph over her beginners’ anxiety and nervousness.
The first book, titled The Very First Ballet Class for a Bittyrina, shows GiGi just about to begin her ballet training, and experiencing both awe and intimidation. The second book, The Very First Dance Party for a Bittyrina, tells the story of GiGi’s first dance party, where she invites her dance class friends to her home. The final book in the series, The Very First Dance Camp for a Bittyrina, takes place after GiGi has completed her first year in Miss Sheila’s School of Dance and is facing anxiousness due to new situations.
Murphy believes the disparity in mental health can be addressed through dialogue and children’s literature. “We can’t cheat our children and let them figure out nervousness and anxiety through trial and error. There is information available that can prepare them for feelings that will likely emerge on several occasions. They have so much to accomplish, and we cannot afford to let our own insecurities cripple them,” says Brett Lindsay Murphy.
The book series includes a workbook that can be used to start conversations by readers of all backgrounds as well as children and teachers or guardians. This supplement, which can be downloaded on Bittyrina’s website, will give the reader additional support towards addressing their situation. Also, the first book of The Very First book series is available on Bittyrina’s free mobile application, The Bittyrina App.
About Brett Lindsay Murphy
Brett Lindsay Murphy is the inventor of the patent-pending “leotank” – an improved leotard that is designed for the comfort of little dancers. As more and more children begin to take organized dance classes, Brett is focusing her attention on sharing coping mechanisms to make learning fun.
About Bittyrina
Bittyrina is dedicated to designing distraction-free dance wear and programming for miniature dance queens. The one-of-a-kind brand focuses on easing the introduction of dance training, while also encouraging free dance, family literacy, and relationship building. Bittyrina offers a mix of services, literature, public and private events, and of course… dance wear and accessories for bittyrinas to enjoy. The company’s overall mission is to strengthen the preexisting bond between humans of all backgrounds by encouraging everyone to forget the nonsense and dance their worries away. For more information, please visit: www.bittyrina.com
Sources
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/July-2017/Disparities-Within-Minority-Mental-Health-Care
http://www.uic.edu
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/the-top-five-most-common-mental-illnesses/
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/african-american-mental-health
Contact Info:
Name: Brettt Lindsay Murphy
Email: Send Email
Organization: Bittyrina LLC
Address: Los Angeles California United States
Phone: 310.993.3565
Website: https://www.bittyrina.com/
Source: MarketersMedia
Release ID: 487691
