"We don't just write in order to be understood; we write to understand ourselves."
Teens Writing to Heal
Our Mission
The Mental Notes is a digital publication that helps youth use writing, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as other forms of art, as a healing tool to process and express internal struggles in mental health. Our dual mission is to both better educate the public on the reality of mental illness through vivid and creative first-hand accounts, and to help teens themselves use creative expression as a way to reflect and cope through the emotional and mental stress they are experiencing in their life.
Anton Wang, age 17
“I love being creative because it helps me detach from the rules and stress I place on myself in other areas of my life."
Valerie Howell, age 15
“I write stories to get out the thoughts that I can't put into words. ”
Maliha Salas, age 15
"I used to go through life very self-conscious and concerned about other people. Writing has helped me find a voice that is actually my own."
I hear and I forget,
I see and I remember,
I write and I understand.
Chinese Proverb
ABOUT US
I love writing, and I often use it as an outlet for dealing with a lot of the stress in my life, and a way of processing things I'm trying to understand. By creating fictional characters who each have their own imperfections and struggles as well, I can believe that I’m not alone. When I’m writing a story, I get to control the plot, and having this power over a world that I created for my characters in a way substitutes for the lack of control I have over my own.
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In the wake of the worsening teen mental health crisis and with many friends and loved ones afflicted with mental illnesses, I created Mental Notes with the goal of helping teens use writing, as well as other forms of art, as a way to both better educate the public on the reality of mental illness, and to help themselves reflect and cope through whatever emotional or mental stress they are experiencing in their life.
"For me writing is a way to escape my own world and dive into one that I create for my characters and I love that."
- Kate Marine, Creator
Writing is more than just putting words on a page. It is a form of expression that allows us to explore deeper parts of ourselves. Language arts has always been one of my favorite subjects, and my fascination with poetry has continued to grow over the years. Whether it be my published collection of political poetry or the current novel I am writing, I am always keeping myself involved in the literary world.
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Another passion of mine, is mental health. As a person who has OCD, I find writing incredibly helpful in processing my thoughts and separating myself from the anxious part of my brain. Mental Notes, founded by my sister, was the perfect outlet for me to explore these tools. As the manager, I am able to read submissions and help teens uncover problems beneath the surface.
- Sarah Marine, Manager
GET INVOLVED
thementalnotesjournal@gmail.com | Tel: 908-300-0795
Please reach out with any questions using the form to the right!
Submit any questions here!