UK Professor Dr. Sauer translates BH WELL comics for French Speakers
BH WELL is proud to highlight the work of Dr. Jeorg Sauer, one of the language translators behind the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) comic book series. Dr. Sauer is an Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies at the University of Kentucky, where she explores the rich intersections of comics, film, and gendered narratives.
Her academic work centers on how stories are shared and represented across cultures, and she brings that same passion to her translation efforts. Though her primary focus is French studies, Dr. Sauer embraces opportunities to translate when they serve philanthropic and community-based purposes. Her involvement with BH WELL stems from a deep commitment to community outreach and equitable access to public and mental health education.
“I truly value BH WELL’s initiatives and translation efforts to ensure broader accessibility of vital health information, particularly in the realm of public and mental health,” said Dr. Sauer.
Her fascination with comics as educational tools comes from their unique storytelling format. “Comics blend imagery and text, tapping into humanity's innate affinity for storytelling and visual communication,” she explains. “I love how this medium can engage readers, especially when tackling crucial topics like mental well-being.”
But translating mental health information across languages is more than a technical task—it’s a cultural one. While working on the French translation of BH WELL’s comics, Dr. Sauer encountered an important challenge: cultural differences in how mental health conditions are perceived and discussed. For instance, she noted that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a relatively open topic in the U.S., but not so in many French-speaking contexts.
“In French culture, ADHD tends to be relegated to the background of social discourse,” she said. “It’s not something that’s talked about as openly, and that poses unique challenges when trying to make mental health education resonate.”
Dr. Sauer approached the translation with sensitivity to those cultural nuances, aiming to ensure that the language, tone, and visuals aligned with the lived experiences and social realities of French-speaking communities. Her work reinforces BH WELL’s commitment to community-informed and culturally responsive health communication.
The BH WELL comics are a testament to the power of collaboration, and Dr. Sauer’s contributions highlight the importance of linguistic accessibility in promoting wellness. Thanks to her expertise, BH WELL is able to offer meaningful, relevant content to a broader audience—one story at a time.
Thank you, Dr. Sauer, for your dedication to building more inclusive paths to mental health literacy.