Natasha Tinsley (Southwestern Oklahoma State University)

Starfish are echinoderms with a unique ability called autotomy where they can regenerate lost limbs. There are times when these creatures will even sacrifice a limb to save themselves. However, whether through natural causes or detriment, we learn that loss can equal a new beginning. These new appendages are not always exact matches. Nevertheless, these misshaped, Frankensteined pieces, marred by experience, can represent a new foundation that is more powerful, vigorous, efficient, and even healthier.

Humans use written representations to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul, sparking an innovative understanding of life which can lead to faith, discovery, and rebirth. Creative and non-creative writing hold the key to highlighting stories that shape even the most tragic of experiences in ways that promote hope and resilience.

Mental health is a unique and complex topic that has received much-needed recognition and concern over the past few years (Brown: Driscoll & Wells: Peach: Wren-Lewis & Alexandrova). Now more than ever, it is important to find ways to combat the disruptive and damaging effects that have impacted the mental stability of society. Sean Thomas Dougherty once said, “Why bother (telling your story)? Because right now there is someone out there with a wound in the exact shape of your words.”

This session seeks creative, critical, or hybrid works that explore the regenerative power that creativity can have on mental health. Participants are asked to explore how the imaginative or the creative uses reality to uplift and empower themselves and/or their readers. In what ways do our lived experiences and traumas regenerate the mind? How does writing help regrow lost or repair damaged parts of our mental selves, promoting mental health and renewed hope? The chair welcomes essays, critical analysis, short stories, hybrid works, and excerpts of longer pieces.

This session seeks creative, critical, or hybrid works that explore the regenerative power that creativity can have on mental health. In what ways does our lived experiences and traumas regenerate the mind to help regrow lost or repair damaged parts of our mental selves, promoting mental health and renewed hope? The chair welcomes essays, critical analysis, short stories, hybrid works, and excerpts of longer pieces.