WHO Releases Children’s Story Book to Cope with COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a children’s story book to help cope with COVID-19.
The book titled “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” features the fantasy creature Ario. It is aimed at children aged 6 to 11 years and teaches kids how to protect themselves, family and friends from the virus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.
The book was produced by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. The main task of the MHPSS is to support and advocate for the planning, establishing and coordinating of a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect, support and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in the midst of an emergency. The Reference Group consists of more than 30 members, and fosters a unique collaboration between NGOs, UN and International Agencies and academics, promoting best practices in MHPSS.
This is a collaboration of United Nations agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations and international agencies providing mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Over 50 organizations in the Inter-Agency helped in making of the book including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.
More than 1700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world shared how they were dealing with the pandemic. This script was used by writer and illustrator Helen Patuck and the project team in making sure that the story and its messages resonated with children from different backgrounds and continents.
The book will be translated to many languages to reach children of all countries. Already 6 language versions are available and 30 more languages are in line.
Access the book and its translations here.
