911 and Other States of Emergency: A Short Story Cycle

Abstract

As reported by the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in seventeen adults in America has a diagnosable mental disorder. Mental illness is neither a death sentence nor a fun fact for a tumblr bio, and it cannot be defined as one single thing. A person with a myriad of diagnoses may deal with mental illness in a healthier way than someone who refuses to let go of a traumatic past, or vice versa. Even within a group of people with the same diagnosis, the manifestations and the ways in which people deal with illness can vary wildly from person to person. Regardless, these conditions can severely impact people’s lives but are often hidden away or worn like a pretty badge of honor. There is no single correct way to deal with mental illness, but finding a strong support system and maintaining honest communication can alleviate symptoms and stress. Though psychological distress and maladaptive coping strategies are difficult topics to write about and to discuss, I have chosen to explore mental illness in my short story collection. “911 and Other States of Emergency” is a cycle of five female-led stories, an experiment in form, narrative voice, and gender politics revolving around mental illness and (mis)communication.