Advocacy
I’ve been fighting for mental health justice and disability rights ever since I was an undergraduate. I co-founded the only student-led mental health advocacy group on the University of Michigan’s campus at the time, improving university-wide policy for students with psychological disorders, providing educational mental health resources to fellow students, and organizing and executing an exhibit of art and writing that gave voice to lived mental health experiences.
After graduation, I interned in public policy for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Michigan and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, D.C. Later, I served as a trained peer-to-peer support group co-facilitator for NAMI Metro Detroit. Through NAMI Metro's "In Our Own Voice" I presented my story of recovery to family members, peers, and the public.
My recovery story (under my married name) was featured by the Oakland Press/Macomb Daily, Metro Detroit’s community daily newspaper: Romeo native shares story of overcoming bipolar disorder
Most recently, I spoke publicly about my lived experiences with mental health issues through collaboration with the University of Michigan’s Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program:
Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program: Bright Nights Community Virtual Forum
I write a mental health column for bpHope.com Here are some highlights:
'“Ambiguous Loss” & Grieving the Child We Never Had. 6 Feb 2024.
Lessons in Love & Bipolar Disorder as a Newlywed. 3 June 2020.