A New Norm: A story and presentation by Tom Roberts
Up to one in four people are affected by mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and many cases go undiagnosed and untreated.
"A New Norm,” a collaboration between Avera Health and Children’s Home Society, is an inspirational story intended to touch the lives of children, adolescents and even adults who struggle with difficulties in life and want to find a path to wellness.
The story reflects the feelings and experiences of those of us who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, anger, doubt, shame, fear and more. Author Tom Roberts provides encouragement to realize that difficulties such as these can be helped.
Roberts presented two sessions at the 2023 Dakotas Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He shares that routine thoughts of negativity can make it difficult to enjoy life. We often frame our words in a negative posture.
To illustrate this framework Roberts role-played a talk show setting for those attending the presentation. Tom was the host of the talk show. He recruited one of the workshop participants as a guest while other attendees played the live audience.
During the talk show Roberts assigned the guest a role—like the inventor. The guest had to answer questions through the lens of the role in a positive manner. If the guest responded negatively the audience could “buzz.” With a lot of laughter and coaching there were only a few buzzes. It was an effort to create awareness of negativity surrounds us and how the culture around us influences our mental health.
“A New Norm” expresses the confusing and stormy feelings that can be overwhelming. The words follow a poetic cadence as illustrations use color and contrast to move the reader toward a spark of light and hope for a better reality.
The book tells the story of a boy named Norm, whose “norm” was living with a cloud over his head, and nothing he tried could make it go away. Norm goes through a time of crisis and through that journey comes to realize there is hope.
The Moral of the story
“A New Norm” expresses how routine thoughts of negativity can sometimes cloud our reality, making it difficult to enjoy life, to appreciate what is truly good, to have positive relationships, or to develop to one’s full potential. If one is willing to look, willing to accept, and willing to try, there is a light both within and beyond to change our lives and our world for the better.
The “spark of light” can be experienced in many forms, such as:
- Talking with an encouraging friend, family member or trusted adult.
- Visiting with a counselor or therapist.
- Accepting professional medical help.
- Engaging in a healthy diet and exercise.
- Participating in creative activities.
- Helping others.
- Seeking a spiritual connection.
Discussion resources
Use “A New Norm” to spark discussions at home, at school or in church youth groups. View discussion questions with answer guidance or view a printable discussion and resource guide.
About the author
“A New Norm” is the seventh book written by Tom Roberts as a benefit for Children’s Home Society (CHS). Since 2002, Tom and Tammy Roberts have raised awareness for CHS through a variety of storytelling presentations and book signings, raising over $1.2 million to support the programs and services that CHS offers to help kids and families across the state.
If your church or community is interested in booking a storytelling event with author Tom Roberts, please email Tammy Roberts at tammy.roberts@chssd.org or call 605-965- 3183.
