Dr. Zachary Burton Adversity: Diagnosed with bipolar I disorder with psychosis Advocacy: Co-founded and leads The Manic Monologues to disrupt stigma; serves with various mental health nonprofits “We lean on the brutally and beautifully unashamed, raw power of...
Melody Moezzi Adversity: Diagnosed with bipolar disorder Advocacy: Works to reduce the stigma of mental illness as an author, blogger, speaker “The more I speak out and the more extraordinary people I meet who are living with mental illness, the more I realize I’m in...
Katherine Switz Adversity: Diagnosed with Bipolar II Advocacy: Started a nonprofit that recruits community leaders to talk about their mental illness “It’s empowering to come out of the shadows. It’s great to see our impact on leaders and their impact on others.”...
Julie A. Fast Adversity: Diagnosed with ultra rapid cycling bipolar disorder II in 1995 Advocacy: Became a bestselling author and mental health advocate “A2A stresses that those with an illness can be strong advocates even while dealing with adversity. We do not have...
Linea and Cinda Johnson Adversity: Linea (left) diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19; Cinda (right) faced challenge of parenting a teenager with the disorder Advocacy: The mother-daughter team co-authored “Perfect Chaos: A Daughter’s Journey to Survive Bipolar, A...
Stephen Puibello Adversity: Diagnosed with HIV and bipolar disorder in 1996 Advocacy: Became a mental health and HIV awareness advocate “Just to know that I am reaching people by telling my story brings joy to my life.” In 1996, just two months after losing his...
