June 16 @ 7:00 pm - June 18 @ 8:15 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Writing about mental health not only impacts readers—offering them hope and honesty—but also deeply affects the personal experiences of writers. The writing process, for example, creates space for healing and sharing lived truths.
But how, then, do we authentically reflect mental health stories, while keeping young audiences in mind? Join authors NoNieqa Ramos and Nora Shalaway Carpenter to learn more about crafting true-to-life and hopeful mental health representations in stories for children and teens.
This short-course will offer beginning information to consider as you craft meaningful stories about mental health representation.
- Monday, June 16, 2025 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Wednesday, June 18, 2025 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
- Recordings available until July 31, 2025
Why This Workshop?
Often writers craft stories with mental health representation to support readers, and to show them that they are not alone in these journeys. NoNieqa Ramos and Nora Shalaway Carpenter have crafted novels that show the many ways that this kind of writing can empower children and teens. It is essential that the work comes from a place of honesty, and centering the needs of readers.
NoNieqa and Nora will offer writing exercises and help creatives discover stories in today’s market that have authentically shared both acute and chronic mental health journeys.
In addition, this short course will:
- Dismantle mental health stereotypes found in some other media,
- Highlight ways that relationships (romantic, friendly, and familial) can be established in novels,
- Showcase ways that setting (school, clubs, society) can work with your plot,
- And much more!
Both NoNieqa and Nora will be bringing their own experiences as writers to this program. This is not a clinical view of mental health, rather a deep dive into ways we, as writers, can best represent mental health journeys in our novels.
Feedback Expected
- No feedback included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
- NoNieqa and Nora will answer as many questions as they can during the second night of the mini. (Please note that they will be best situated to offer a writerly lens on mental health, and not a clinical lens.)
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You’re writing middle grade or young adult novels (all levels welcome) looking to learn more about the representation of mental health journeys in novels for this age group.
- Your story centers an aspect of mental health (main character, secondary character, or globally) with the hope that your work will share an authentic experience, layered with honesty and hope.
- You are open to listening to multiple perspectives about how to approach serious (and seriously needed) topics for children, while holding your own needs at the forefront. Creating stories that bring our own lived experiences to the page can provide some healing, and can open ourselves to more pain. This is not a therapeutic session. Please attend if you feel open to the discussions and perspectives that will take place.
- You’re looking for a short course. This is not a full workshop. Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and grow your understanding of mental health representation in novels for middle grade and young adult readers.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE: If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through July 31, 2025. Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Monday, June 16, 2025 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome
- Why books about mental health journeys matter to kids and teens, educators and counselors with NoNieqa Ramos
- Some thoughtful definitions
- Including common (and needed) topics into your narrative arcs for teens and young readers.
- Crafting Mental Health Journeys for Kids and Teens, with Nora Shalaway Carpenter
- A novel study: characters and relationships can help in authentic representation
- Writing exercise and tips for writing with care for the writer and reader
Part Two: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome back!
- Books that do it well! with Nora Shalaway Carpenter
- Middle grade and YA novels/ anthologies that dismantle stereotypes
- Middle grade and YA novels that offer hope and honesty
- How setting influences story when it comes to mental health representation with NoNieqa Ramos
- Schools, institutions, online, and more
- Try this! A writing prompt about setting to try on your own.
- Q&A with Nora and NoNieqa
How It Impacts Kids
Novels can be healing to both the writer and the reader. This “mini” explores beginning strategies for crafting authenticity and respect through writing for children and young adult readers.
Testimonials from Our Community
“I really liked how they centered readers and our responsibility as adult writers to use our gifts in authentic ways to connect with them even when writing about hard things.”
“I knew I could not attend in person but I signed up because you offered the recording. Having that option was invaluable.”
“Keep the mini courses going for those of us that can’t attend at the Highlights Foundation Campus! It helps us stay in touch and keep our skills growing!!
Resources
- #HFGather: Crafting and Sharing Books from the Heart
- A Novel Mind, a resource for exploring children’s literature that deals with mental health and neurodiversity
- #HFGather: Writing About Trauma and Grief for Kids
- A Collection of Support from the Faculty of Writing Stories to Empower Through Trauma
- Writing About Mental Health in Youth Literature
