
story now, craft later
Writing Mental Health
Thu, Aug 15
|Online Learning Event
As a society and community, we have become more aware of mental health and the role it plays in our lives and in our beloved characters’ lives. Join Dr. Samantha Winterberg and Dr. Elizabeth Santiago as we discuss writing about mental health and the questions that may arise in the process.


Time & Location
Aug 15, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Online Learning Event
Guests
About the Event
As a society and community, we have become more aware of mental health and the role it plays in our lives and in our beloved characters’ lives. More and more writers are developing characters who may be navigating depression, anxiety, phobias, psychosis, or other conditions. How we write these characters is vital to preserving their dignity taking care with descriptions, backstories and even traumas that may have triggered certain behaviors. Join Dr. Samantha Winterberg and Dr. Elizabeth Santiago as we discuss writing about mental health and the questions that may arise as we create authentic characters. We will share descriptions, case studies, and examples while engaging in rich discussion and relevant writing activities.
Dr. Samantha Winterberg is a health psychologist, educator, and author with nearly two decades of expertise in integrating mental and physical health. Her earlier career was marked by advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, drawing inspiration from their resilience in overcoming psychological stressors, stigma, and inadequate protective policies. Her research, emphasizing the necessity of equity for achieving just practices and effective educational outcomes, earned her the 2024 Excellence in Research Dissertation Award and the 2024 B-Corp Force for Good Award. She has published 11 books and workbooks and is a contributing author for a book on contemporary leadership (in press). She is a course creator and mentors doctoral students through their dissertation writing process. Currently maintaining a private health practice, she champions efforts for inclusivity and cultural sensitivity through scholarship and mentorship and remains an ardent advocate for personal sovereignty.
Dr. Liz Santiago has been a storyteller for almost as long as she has been alive! She read voraciously as a child but had always been struck by the stories that weren't being told. Stories about her ancestors, community, and neighborhood. She set out early to tell those stories. She earned a BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College then a master’s in education from Harvard University. She taught writing and literacy courses for many years before deciding to take her passion for storytelling to the next level. She completed a PhD program at Lesley University focused on creative writing for literacy acquisition and liberation. As a result of that work, two projects emerged. One is a contemporary young adult novel titled, The Moonlit Vine, featuring 14-year-old Taína, descended from a long line of Taíno women who must rise within her own strength to bring peace and justice to her family and her community. The novel was published by Lee and Low and has gotten starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. It was named one of their Best Teen & YA Novels of 2023 About Social Issues by Kirkus. Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 selected The Moonlit Vine as one of the titles to be honored on the Rise 2024 Booklist and the book has been longlisted for a 2024 Massachusetts Book Award. The second project is The Untold Narratives to support all writers, emerging and experienced, in finding and sharing stories that are not typically told due to marginalization.