{"product_id":"fragments-journeys-from-isolation-to-connection","title":"Fragments: Journeys from Isolation to Connection","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFRAGMENTS - Journeys from Isolation to Connection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI feel like I'm a piece, a fragment that's missing all the good bits, but I don't know where to find the rest ... the parts I need to work properly. I bet they wouldn't fit anyway. \u003c\/em\u003e(Lexy, age 17)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEight \u003cstrong\u003eyoung people\u003c\/strong\u003e navigating high school and beyond, each struggling to hold on - to family, to friends, to a piece of themselves. Perhaps you know them. The bubbly girl who keeps telling you she's okay. The high achiever who's suddenly so intense. The young teen obsessed with social media. The boy challenged by communication. Every single day they, and others, are working hard to keep it together. So hard, they don't see their friends are struggling, too. Through eight imagined stories, \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFragments\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e moves from a place of \u003cstrong\u003edisconnection to connectedness\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe action of \u003cem\u003eFragments \u003c\/em\u003etakes place in the minds and hearts of an ordinary group of young people. Their stories encompass \u003cstrong\u003eanxiety, depression, neurodivergence, gender dysphoria, social media, bullying, family dysfunction, cross-cultural diversity\u003c\/strong\u003e and more, culminating in a sense of \u003cstrong\u003ehope\u003c\/strong\u003e. Although set in Australia, their stories could take place anywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Playwright: \u003c\/strong\u003e Rarely presenting as neat packages, mental health issues often involve feelings and behaviours with jagged edges and blurred origins. \u003cem\u003eFragments\u003c\/em\u003e embodies the theme that \u003cem\u003estress\u003c\/em\u003e at home, at school and in life is \u003cem\u003echallenging young people\u003c\/em\u003e beyond their usual coping abilities, leaving them disenfranchised and vulnerable. So much of \u003cstrong\u003eadolescent life\u003c\/strong\u003e is spent looking inwards that it's perhaps not surprising that mental health issues are often internalised. I wrote \u003cem\u003eFragments\u003c\/em\u003e to \u003cstrong\u003estart a conversation\u003c\/strong\u003e. It's only when we speak openly about mental health issues - without fear or judgment - that we can chip away at the \u003cstrong\u003estigma\u003c\/strong\u003e that prevents many people from seeking help. It is my hope that the work will find its way into schools in \u003cstrong\u003eAustralia\u003c\/strong\u003e and overseas. The publication includes a comprehensive \u003cstrong\u003eStudy Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e, detailing activities and \u003cstrong\u003ecurriculum links\u003c\/strong\u003e for English, Drama\/Arts, Health \u0026amp; PE, Civics and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA powerful and timely \u003cstrong\u003emental health\u003c\/strong\u003e resource for young people and their families. Essential reading for \u003cstrong\u003ehigh school\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maura Pierlot","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47286368698604,"sku":"9780645099805","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/1791\/3068\/files\/9780645099805.jpg?v=1770441638","url":"https:\/\/intl.allstora.com\/products\/fragments-journeys-from-isolation-to-connection","provider":"Allstora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}