A Victoria University of Wellington project has launched a new graphic novel to help spread the word about how young New Zealanders struggling with self-harm can seek help.

A Victoria University of Wellington project has launched a new graphic novel to help spread the word about how young New Zealanders struggling with self-harm can seek help.

A Change is the second graphic novel developed by the Youth Wellbeing Study, a research project led by Associate Professor Marc Wilson from Victoria’s School of Psychology, and supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

The novel tells the story of Ash, a young person who struggles with non-suicidal self-injury and the barriers for seeking help. The story was developed by a group of young people from the Wellington Boys and Girls Institute, with help from youth worker Rod Baxter.

During the launch of A Change, Jack McKinlay from the Boys and Girls Institute said “If this novel benefits just one person, it’s all worth it. Youth wellbeing can be swept under the carpet and it needs to be better recognised.”

Wellington-based research indicates that up to half of secondary school students have self-injured at least once by the time they leave school.

The novel was illustrated by Ant Sang, award-winning illustrator of the popular television series bro’Town. Ant also worked on the team’s first novel, A Choice, two years ago.

“This comic highlights the importance of ‘just being there’ for people who struggle with self-injury—not trying to ‘fix’ the problem, but rather offering support, distraction and friendship without judgement,” says Dr Jessica Garisch, Research Fellow at Victoria University and coordinator of the Youth Wellbeing Study.

“We've had some incredible feedback already from youth workers, teachers and most importantly young people.”

The Youth Wellbeing Study investigates the factors that place young people at the risk of self-injuring, and develops resources for young people, their families/whanau, and people who work to support them.

“We’re interested in understanding the strengths that young people have—how these are damaged and how they’re fostered,” says Associate Professor Wilson.

Both graphic novels can be downloaded.

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