Writing to Health
At KNCV, we leverage a comprehensive approach to health. Besides our extensive work in diagnostics, prevention and treatment, we put people at the heart of our interventions. This means, listening to their stories, connecting, supporting, and amplifying the voices of the communities that we work with. Our Writing to Health Workshops are part of our innovative approaches to community, rights, gender, and stigma, designed to bring us closer to the people we serve and amplify their lived-experiences.
Why writing?
Writing is more than putting words on a page. Writing bridges ideas, emotions and people. It is a canvas for expression, and a pathway to liberation. Through writing, we can communicate our thoughts, tell our stories, and express emotions that often remain unspoken. Writing gives us the freedom to explore, to question, and to create.
Expressive writing
Expressive writing is a therapeutic approach that promotes well-being by helping individuals articulate emotions connected to challenging or traumatic experiences. Scientific research shows that expressive writing can significantly improve both emotional and physical health. The article Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing, published online by Cambridge University Press in 2018, collects results from various studies and concludes that writing about traumatic or stressful experiences can lead to:
- Better immune function
- Enhanced cognitive performance
- Improved lung function
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Greater resilience
- Lower depression and rumination
Expressive writing has been studied in a lot of settings, clinical and non-clinical, with people who are living or have experienced traumatic or stressful situations, such as chronic lung diseases, cancer and HIV.
A recent study conducted by KNCV recognizes the complexity of physical and psychological sequelae of tuberculosis (TB), however, the stories from people affected by TB remains untold most of the time. This is what ignites the development of KNCV's Writing to Health Workshop.
KNCV's Writing to Health Workshop
Writing to Health Workshop is an innovative approach to health and well-being that adapts the Expressive Writing format to help individuals articulate emotions linked to challenging experiences. The workshop is structured to be conducted in one hour and can be adapted to TB or different thematic areas other than TB.
In October 2025, KNCV expert, Juan Mora Barrios, piloted the workshop with a group of TB experts. During the coming months, virtual workshops will be prepared and promoted for open participation.
Who should participate?
KNCV's Writing to Health Workshop is designed to cater to different audiences, and can be attended by the diversity of the community of the thematic area or as they call them in science writings, interest-holders. In the field of TB this includes, and is not limited to:
- TB survivors
- People with TB
- Caregivers
- Healthcare workers
- TB researchers
- TB Program managers
- NTP staff
The workshop can be adapted to a thematic area other than TB and cater to other audiences. For more questions about Writing to Health Workshop, inquiries about collaboration or requesting a workshop with your communities, please reach out to Juan Mora Barrios at juan.barrios@kncvtbc.org.