Tacoronte Cruz, Vashti

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    Screaming into digital spaces: Slender man, sad girls, sick women, and depression
    (2024-05-10) Tacoronte Cruz, Vashti; Chansky, Ricia; College of Arts and Sciences - Art; Rodriguez, Linda; Vicente, Nancy V.; Department of English; Alvarez, Jaquelina
    This hybrid thesis project brings together the fields of digital folklore, autoethnography, creative writing, and mental health in order to craft a deep, personal exploration of the twenty-first-century issues of depression and isolation. Central to this endeavor is the use of digital media as a tool for the creation of safe spaces where young women are allowed to express and discuss their challenges with mental health. Through the analysis of the digital series EverymanHYBRID, this work applies the lenses of Sad Girl Theory and Sick Woman Theory to dissect and understand the portrayal of mental illness, using the character of Slender Man as a symbolic representation of depression. Furthermore, these theoretical frameworks guide the creation of a new narrative that not only serves as a safe space for those grappling with depression but also challenges societal stigmas surrounding mental health. This narrative aims to provide comfort and visibility, highlighting the importance of storytelling in digital environments as a means of support and resistance against the isolation often associated with depression. Through this project, I demonstrate how digital folklore can be a powerful platform for discussing, understanding, and destigmatizing mental health.