Writing Sisters: Emily Dickinson Saved My Life Available to Purchase

Mental health issues are often approached through a negative, blanketing lens that creates stigma for those diagnosed with psychological disorders. To contribute to the spread of mental health awareness, people experiencing mental distress need to present their stories to demonstrate they are not insignificant and are worthy of humanization. Writing about one’s experiences helps them heal from their painful past and find meaning in life. Three of Emily Dickinson’s poems have also been analyzed with regard to the mental distress represented in each, and the author presents three of their own poems to show similarities in the ideas expressed between two people experiencing psychological distress. A better understanding of those who suffer from mental distress is provided through the inclusion and abstraction of Dickinson’s poems and personal narrative. The comparison of the author to renowned poet Emily Dickinson shows psychological disorders should not define people as they are still capable of making significant contributions to society.