{"id":15217,"date":"2018-01-08T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2018-01-08T17:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/?p=15217"},"modified":"2018-01-09T09:48:49","modified_gmt":"2018-01-09T17:48:49","slug":"what-if-what-if-former-camosun-student-uses-personal-struggles-to-illustrate-comic-about-anxiety-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/2018\/01\/08\/what-if-what-if-former-camosun-student-uses-personal-struggles-to-illustrate-comic-about-anxiety-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"What if? What if?: Former Camosun student uses personal struggles to illustrate comic about anxiety for kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s incredibly quiet at Camosun College\u2019s Lansdowne campus. For most students, it\u2019s the beginning of the holiday break, and instructors are scrambling to grade mountains of papers. I find myself pacing back and forth outside By the Books. I\u2019m a few minutes early for a 12 pm interview. I walk in and look around, stopping short of the counter. The barista asks if she can help. Nervously, I tell her that I am meeting someone here at noon, and I\u2019ll return shortly. I can\u2019t stand awkward silence, so I step outside.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t help but wonder if I\u2019ve got the day wrong, the time wrong, so I look through the series of messages I exchanged yesterday with my interview subject, former Camosun student Sam Duncan. What if I\u2019m at the wrong campus? What if he\u2019s at the caf instead of By the Books? My thoughts become clouded with anxiety and every question in my head turns into a \u201cwhat if?\u201d question, which is very appropriate, all things considered: Duncan recently illustrated a comic book about anxiety for kids where the main character, a frog, is constantly saying \u201cwhat if?\u201d instead of \u201cribbit.\u201d<\/p>\n

My heart rate increases as noon approaches, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath to clear my mind. I exhale and open my eyes, recognizing Duncan from photographs I\u2019ve seen of him as he approaches. I can\u2019t help but chuckle at my fictitious problems. Duncan looks just like any other Camosun student, with a big smile and a tasteful swagger in his step. We exchange introductions and a few jokes as we walk to an empty classroom, sit down, and start chatting.<\/p>\n

HERE COMES FREDDIE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two generations of former Camosun students\u2014Duncan and his aunt, behavioural consultant Janis Joseph\u2014teamed up to create and self-publish the aforementioned Freddie the Frog<\/i>, a comic book designed to help children deal with stress and anxiety. The main character, Freddie, is a young frog with so many questions that he creates a world of stress and uncertainty for himself. Joseph, the owner of Fresh Steps Behavioural Consulting in Port Alberni, had already written the story but put it on hold for a year and a half; Duncan was taking the Comics and Graphic Novels program at Camosun last year when his aunt saw the comic he had produced in class. She knew the timing was right to bring Freddie to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about a little frog who wants to do all kinds of things, but his anxiety gets in the way,\u201d says Duncan, who is 19 now. He attended Camosun in 2016 and 2017; he stayed for the duration of his program but didn\u2019t get high enough grades in his writing classes to graduate (\u201cI did pretty well in the art classes, but I guess I just didn\u2019t understand the writing lessons enough,\u201d he says). \u201cHe keeps thinking, \u2018What if this happens, or what if that happens?\u2019 He doesn\u2019t do anything, because he is so focused on the \u2018what if\u2019s that he is afraid. Then, in the end, he learns that if he focuses on the bad things that might happen, he won\u2019t enjoy anything. He learns to calm down by himself so he can do all of the things he wants to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Former Camosun student Sam Duncan recently illustrated a comic book about anxiety (photo by Adam Marsh\/Nexus<\/em>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Duncan and Joseph have united their skills and experience to work together for the first time on this project. But getting Duncan to talk about the project\u2014or about himself\u2014proves to be difficult when we meet up; it\u2019s a classic conundrum of profiling an artist. Sometimes it\u2019s easier to get other people to talk than it is to get the subject to open up, which certainly holds true here.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was great working with Sam,\u201d says Joseph. \u201cHe and I have always had a great bond. With me doing what I do and Sam being on the [autism] spectrum, we got each other right away. He was diagnosed with Asperger\u2019s at a very young age, and he suffered through anxiety. Life wasn\u2019t easy for Sam. I saw him struggle, I saw him get through it, so it made sense for him to give life to Freddie the Frog, because part of him was Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are no shortage of books written to help adults with their struggles with fear and anxiety; Duncan says the message of Freddie the Frog <\/i>is relatable to both children and adults. Kids need to be empowered, just like the rest of us, and they need to know that they aren\u2019t out there on their own. People everywhere struggle with anxiety, which can be combated with the right tools.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason I wrote Freddie the Frog<\/i> was that so many families were coming to me with behavioural challenges, and the more time I spent with the kids the clearer it became that their behaviour was stemming from their fear,\u201d says Joseph. \u201cIt\u2019s a matter of turning emotions into words. Instead, they are just exploding, and [as] the eruptions escalate it gets the point across. I wanted to make a book that shows this to kids, and not just to the parents. That\u2019s why it\u2019s a smaller comic book, made for little hands. We wanted children to be able to identify with it so they can open that conversation with their parents, and realize that, \u2018Maybe I\u2019m not angry all the time, I just have anxiety.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

GROWIN\u2019 UP<\/strong><\/p>\n

When he was younger, Duncan struggled during his time at Margaret Jenkins Elementary. He didn\u2019t fit in, and, as a result, he had troubles both in class and on the playground.<\/p>\n

Those struggles came to a head in the third grade when he was diagnosed with Asperger\u2019s syndrome and ADHD.<\/p>\n

\u201cSam got bullied quite a bit,\u201d says Joseph. \u201cIt\u2019s probably a time in his life that he would rather forget. Because he lacked in some of the social skills, he was picked on quite a bit in school. He didn\u2019t pick up on academics easily. He was a big kid and a child of colour, so he stood out. He didn\u2019t have a good time. It was difficult to make friends with other students. My sister would drive by the playground and the kids were all playing, and then there was Sam on his own. It turned into the community… at the swimming pool, for example, he loved to go swimming, but they would find him and he was a target. The kids just wouldn\u2019t leave him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam had his mother in his corner along the way. She was able to see his troubles for what they were and pulled him out of public school in favour of Discovery School, a special-education school for children with learning disabilities. Duncan recalls that classes were much smaller, so individual attention was always available if he needed it. He also had social issues, which were addressed there. It was the ideal fit and, as his confidence grew, Duncan blossomed.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinding Discovery School was a real blessing for Sam,\u201d says Joseph. \u201cYou find kids just like you, facing the same struggles. The teachers understand how to teach these kids, and Sam did very well in that environment. He was able to go all the way through to Grade 12, and he was ready to go to college when he graduated.\u201d<\/p>\n

A HELPING HAND<\/strong><\/p>\n

Asperger\u2019s syndrome is on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum; it\u2019s generally characterized by significant difficulties with social interaction and repetitive, micro-focused patterns of behaviour. Joseph fondly recalls Duncan\u2019s one-sided conversations as a child, where he would just talk and talk, regardless of who was listening. He didn\u2019t understand the give and take that makes up a conversation; he would just export information, which helped people recognize he had Asperger\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Treatment for Asperger\u2019s is aimed at improving communications skills through cognitive behavioural therapy. Duncan has come incredibly far in his development, but social interaction is something he continues to work on to this day.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsperger\u2019s varies,\u201d says Duncan. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t affect me too much. It\u2019s hard to explain. For me, it\u2019s mostly social stuff. It\u2019s a wide spectrum that affects people in different ways. I get a lot of anxiety meeting new people. Usually it isn\u2019t too bad. It\u2019s just there, I guess, so you deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Duncan graduated high school, he was ready to transition straight to college, and he enrolled in the Comics and Graphic Novels program at Camosun. He found himself in class with some incredibly talented artists under the tutelage of comic book writer and artist and Camosun instructor Ken Steacy. Duncan admits that he was nervous making the jump to college, especially coming from a program with a lighter workload. Steacy recalls that Duncan was a little bit shy as the program began, but because the students in the program are united by their love of comic books and art, he fit right in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was an absolute delight to work with,\u201d says Steacy. \u201cHe was always enthusiastic, energetic, very creative, engaged; he was the ideal student. You have to be an entrepreneur, which is difficult, especially because a lot of young people have confidence issues that can make it more of a challenge, but that is one of the learning outcomes, the entrepreneurship\u2014understanding the marketplace and the constant changes. That\u2019s one of the reasons I was so excited to hear about this book.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the primary goals of any instructor is to give students the tools they need to make their way in their field of choice. Steacy recalls that Duncan was a little reticent at the beginning, but he watched Duncan blossom as the course progressed. The improvement was enormous\u2014Duncan developed his skill set, which has allowed him to give voice to the things he cares deeply about.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m delighted,\u201d says Steacy, \u201cbecause that\u2019s exactly what we are hoping to achieve. That is the ultimate outcome from the program\u2014we hope that the students build the skills to produce work of this calibre, to build a character that they can then find a market for. We encourage students to tell the stories that only they can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Duncan, with his first published work, has done just that. In Freddie the Frog<\/i>, Duncan has given life to a character who faces the same struggles he went through. Steacy says that there was virtually no sign that Duncan was struggling in class and says he applauds Duncan for being so forthcoming about his challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very human thing to feel isolated at various points in our lives, trying to cope with things and feeling unsure of who to turn to or who to talk to,\u201d says Steacy. \u201cIt\u2019s that generosity of spirit from people like Sam, saying, \u2018I\u2019ve experienced this, too; let\u2019s see what we can do to help each other.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph has dedicated her life to helping children with behavioural challenges and special needs. It all started in 1992 when she enrolled in General Arts at Camosun in pursuit of her English degree, which she would eventually complete at the University of Victoria. She saw a lack of support for these children and turned her passion and experience into Fresh Steps, which aims to help children and families cope with life\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n

So often, says Joseph, children are misunderstood, largely because they lack the ability to communicate effectively. She experienced this first-hand, trying to help her sister and nephew overcome their own issues; children faced with stress disorders often lash out when fear becomes a block and they can\u2019t voice it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the fear of the unknown,\u201d says Joseph. \u201c\u2018What if I can\u2019t do it? What if I don\u2019t do it properly?\u2019 That\u2019s why the \u2018what if?\u2019 came up. It seemed so natural for the \u2018what if?\u2019 generation.\u00a0 We \u2018what if?\u2019 ourselves out of situations that could be great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Children who have problems communicating often find it much easier to express their anger, because that\u2019s what\u2019s being recognized. All too often, kids get a bad rap for being difficult to work with and treat, and for being difficult at home, but often this is due to a lack of skills and education for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I find is when we sort of peel back the layers and find the core,\u201d says Joseph, \u201cwe realize that it\u2019s just anxiety and the fear of the unknown that kids are having a tough time describing. For some, it\u2019s just easier to explode and throw a tantrum, rather than say, for example, \u2018I still want to go and play soccer today.\u2019 They just don\u2019t have the tools. These are the kids that usually get labelled as having behavioural problems in the classroom or at home, but usually what I find is that this can be traced directly to anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n

ANXIETY AT CAMOSUN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Duncan\u2019s struggles are by no means unique. Today\u2019s college students are suffering through a mental-health epidemic. Documented cases are rising steadily around the globe and students are feeling the effects in every facet of their lives. It can be an incredibly difficult discussion to start, but the solution can often be found in the discussion. Camosun counsellor Chris Balmer is the lead in the Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, which is responsible for developing policies, spreading awareness, and providing the education and tools necessary to help support students in need.<\/p>\n

Balmer says the most common problems faced by Camosun students are probably anxiety and depression. Relationships, depression, and anxiety are the top three issues discussed with Camosun counsellors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say it is far too likely that succumbing to the burden of stress or depression can be insurmountable,\u201d says Balmer. \u201cIt can lead to dropping out or failing grades. It\u2019s very isolating for many, so the first sign could be that someone is missing from class, but we wouldn\u2019t know that because we don\u2019t keep tabs on the students. We are really trying to encourage the faculty to watch for signs that students are struggling, and encourage them to take advantage of the services available.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stigma is complex in nature and can lead to a lack of understanding by friends, family, peers, and teachers. All too often, this leads to isolation, causing struggles to compound. It can be very difficult for students to seek help. Fear of judgement, or of being seen as weak, can make it difficult to discuss struggles with peers. Balmer says the the loss of confidence can suffocate a student and leave them unable to reach out and communicate. Combine this with the stigma and sometimes the conversation never starts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to reduce stigma and encourage conversations around mental health,\u201d says Balmer. \u201cWe would like it to be seen in the same light as physical health issues. For example, if you have a cold, you can probably get an extension on an assignment, but because of the stigma, if you can\u2019t get a paper done due to depression, it isn\u2019t always seen the same way. Stigma goes both ways. There is also reluctance on the side of the employees because they don\u2019t always understand the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Balmer says that many Camosun students don\u2019t even realize that the counselling services are there. For many, they think of academic or career counselling, and it stops there.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a counselling point of view,\u201d says Balmer, \u201cit\u2019s an individual process. First, understanding what is going on beneath the surface: family, trauma, current stresses and pressures\u2026 Then we can work collaboratively to reconnect with their energy, passion, and hope. That can include medication, or breathing exercises, CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy], learning how to understand their emotions, sometimes additional therapy; sometimes it\u2019s as simple as reconnecting with nature. Always, in my experience, solutions include connections with friends or family\u2014people that you can count on and trust, allowing you to be yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for Duncan, art has shifted back to hobby as he deals with regular 19-year-old life. He still has a destination in his sights but the path is unclear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still working a lot on my art,\u201d says Duncan, \u201cmostly drawing stuff that I like. A lot of the time it\u2019s fan art, where I see a character I like in a cartoon or video game. I\u2019m also working on my own comic right now. When I was younger, in middle school, I really wanted to be a video game designer. I also want to keep doing comic books. I would like to get into Capilano University for animation, but that\u2019s kind of a ways off right now. I\u2019ve never lived on my own before, so I\u2019m going to work on that for a while. Once I\u2019m used to that, then I\u2019ll probably look into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s working at a dollar store and getting a taste of life in the real world. It\u2019s not glamorous, but it\u2019s a necessary step. Freddie the Frog<\/i> (which is available by emailing Joseph at freshsteps.jj@telus.net) has given him a taste of his dreams and he seems to have a direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was pretty awesome,\u201d says Duncan. \u201cI had had a few things printed before\u2014not comic books, but posters of my art. Any time I see my work in print for the first time, it feels awesome. I\u2019ve had art for sale before, but this is the first time outside of school that I\u2019ve had a comic book for sale. That does feel pretty great.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s incredibly quiet at Camosun College\u2019s Lansdowne campus. For most students, it\u2019s the beginning of the holiday break, and instructors are scrambling to grade mountains of papers. I find myself pacing back and forth outside By the Books. I\u2019m a few minutes early for a 12 pm interview. I walk in and look around, stopping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-january-10-2018"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15217"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15219,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15217\/revisions\/15219"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}