Hello Internet friends!

Today is World Bipolar Day and if you didn’t know I’m a mental health advocate and someone who lives with Bipolar Disorder (terrible roommate sometimes) that’s incredible because I literally don’t shut up about it. (my whole kinda deal)

Anyway! I thought I’d share some of the work I’ve done about Bipolar Disorder and some of the advocacy I have participated in, as well as some resources for you or someone you know with Bipolar Disorder.

Here’s some stuff I’ve made about Bipolar Disorder (one might argue that all of my stuff is at least informed by my health condition, but this stuffs ABOUT Bipolar.)

Is it stand-up comedy? Yes! Is it a solo theatre piece? Yes! Is it perfect for Edinburgh Fringe and yet somehow I haven’t been? YES!

Are there two versions of the special one of which is only available to the public today and then will be exclusively available on my Patreon? ALSO YES!

I write video essays for my YouTube channel about representations of mental illness in film and tv or performances that can be interpreted as such. Here’s a couple about Bipolar Disorder!

I hosted a podcast called Positive And Negative for many years and had the privilege of speaking with some of my favorite artists about how their mental health affects their work. I’m incredibly grateful to have spoken to Ahmed Best (Star Wars), Travis McElroy (The Adventure Zone), Janet Varney (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Gianmarco Soresi (Dropout), Gary Gulman (Joker & The Great Depresh), and many other great artists and friends about where what we do comes from.

You can listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts as well as exclusive episodes on you guessed it, My Patreon!

Here are some resources I’ve gathered over the years that have helped me/others understand the illness.

Books:
The Bipolar Survival Guide, David J. Milkowitz
Marbles By Ellen Forney
Touched with fire & An Unquiet Mind, Kay Redfield Jamison
Wishful Drinking, The Princess Diarist, The Best Awful, and Postcards From The Edge, Carrie Fisher

Films:
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
The Secret Life Of A Manic Depressive
The Not So Secret Life Of A Manic Depressive

Comedy:
Wishful Drinking. Carrie Fisher
The Great Depresh, Gary Gulman
Look At You, Taylor Tomlinson
All of Maria Bamford’s comedy specials

Mental health services:
NAMI
The Fountain House (NYC)
Mental Health Resource (MN)
Mental Health Foundation (Aotearoa, NZ)

I have done a fair amount of advocacy regarding Bipolar Disorder including appearing on some great YouTube shows!

I always love talking with Ali! Whether it’s about mental health or Star Trek, he’s always a joy.

I was lucky enough to talk to Anthony Padilla about Bipolar Disorder, I have no idea how they got my contact info, but I’m really glad got to chat!

Today is an opportunity the difficulties that many people face in having a mental health condition and also the unique and necessary perspective those people offer to society. If not for Bipolar Disorder The United States wouldn’t have won the American Civil War, and we wouldn’t have The Starry Night, or most importantly have the song Pink Pony Club.

People who have Bipolar Disorder are often leaders who push forward progress, create art that relates to the deepest core of humanity, and most importantly make long-winded posts like this one.

Be well, stay safe, and have fun!

If you need help, please, please, reach out to someone! Not me though, I have enough going on.

EVERYONE!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Tris