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Tackling mental health issues takes a community. Now, members of the Writer’s Studio community have come together in a new anthology that shines a light on mental health—Off the Map: Vancouver Writers with Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues.

Released by Bell Press on May 1, the book features 33 writers, including several alumni of the Writer’s Studio creative writing program: Jaki Eisman, Jean Kavanagh, Yong Nan Kim, Justyna Krol, Danica Longair and Ingrid Rose.

The anthology was co-edited by Betsy Warland, a former director of the Writer’s Studio; Kate Bird, a graduate of the program and author of the bestselling Vancouver in the Seventies: Photos From a Decade That Changed the City; and Seema Shah, a visual artist and writer with lived experience of mental health issues.

“The anthology aims to highlight the creativity and diversity of writing by individuals with lived experience of mental health and substance issues and to introduce new and distinctive voices to the literary community,” says Bird.

She explains the book grew out of a Vancouver Coastal Health initiative that offered free professional development to Vancouver residents with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use issues. Impressed by the writing of workshop participants, project lead Shah worked with Warland on a book proposal and succeeded in securing Bell Press as the publisher.

“I was invited as a co-editor,” says Bird, “and the three of us co-facilitated writing workshops and worked one-on-one with contributors. I loved working with the writers, who welcomed feedback and worked hard to revise their work for publication.”

The result is a collection of creative non-fiction, fiction and poetry that explores a wide range of subjects with honesty, inventiveness and compassion.

A book launch where contributing writers will read and sign copies will take place on June 7 at the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. is recommended.