Rising Stars: Meet Gina Capobianco of Alhambra

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Capobianco.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a writer. I have written poetry for almost 40 years. It began as a coping mechanism when I was a teenager. At the time I did not know the poems were helping me cope with depression. As I have gotten older I have learned how important writing is to my life. I have written four poetry books, all dealing with mental health. From there my writing grew and in 2022 I self-published a memoir detailing what life with mental illness has been like. I knew I wanted to do more to help others living with mental illness. So, I started my blog, Bent, Not Broken: Living with Depression (https://depressionbentnotbroken.blogspot.com). I have posted twice a week for over three years. Less than a month after starting my blog I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It has been a battle, but today I am living well with the disease. I kept my log up throughout all of this. It actually proved to be a part of my healing. I am currently working on a memoir exploring my cancer journey. As I was healing I met someone from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), an organization I was already involved with. This encounter led to the creation of a monthly writing group hosted by NAMI Glendale called “Writing as a Healing Tool” My day job is special education teacher, but my passion is writing and exploring how writing can be a part of healing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggles for me have revolved around my health, both mental and physical. I live with depression and anxiety, which can make daily functioning a struggle. Being productive while living with this can be a challenge, but writing has strengthen me by providing an outlet for my thoughts and emotions. My physical health was challenged by stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. As I was going through chemo, I leaned on writing, which by this point I knew held healing properties. Writing has carried me on my journey through the ups and downs of mental illness and cancer. It is always there. I have learned that by sharing my writing I can help others. This gives purpose to all I have gone through.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While my day job is special education teacher, my passion and life’s work is my writing. I journal every day. I find myself thinking in words that belong on the page. I need to keep either my journal or the notes app on my phone nearby because words are always in my head. My five self-published books, my blog, and articles I have had published are where others can see my writing. I am most proud of the fact that my writing has helped others in their healing journeys. People have shared that they connected to my writing and my story. I have received comments on my blog and heard from people when I have done talks on writing as a healing too. What sets me apart is that as much as I would like to write books that makes enough profit for me to write full-time, I am content with the connections my writing creates. Hearing a person say that one of my poems captures how depression or cancer has impacted them means so much to me. If I can help others know that it is okay to live with mental illness or that they can overcome mental illness or cancer, then my writing has served its purpose and given me purpose.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The Giving Voice to Depression Podcast is a great resource and inspiration for people like me. I was actually a guest in 20223. I was in one of my darkest periods. It helped to share my story and know it was helping others.
I belong to the Inspired Writer Community, which is a source of inspiration and connection for me.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is an amazing resource for individuals with mental illness like me and for people who have loved ones with mental illness. NAMI Greater LA County serves our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginacapobianco.com
• Instagram: @capobiancoauthor
• Facebook: @GCapobiancoauthor
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gina-capobianco-18618881
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ginacapobianco3898
• Other: https://depressionbentnotbroken.blogspot.com/?m=1

Image Credits
All photos were taken by friends not professional.