Trigger Warning: Mental Illness

This episode explores how stigma shapes the lives of those of us living with a mental illness, personally, professionally, and socially. The dominant stories society tells about us cast us at best as dysfunctional, and at worst as unstable or dangerous. This episode is also about breaking the stigma, having our voices heard, and reclaiming our humanity.

Poem: Madwoman (2025)

Advocacy resources:

Advocacy groups for mental health in Canada (includes international advocacy goups)

National alliance on mental illness (US)

Send us a text

Instagram: @themadpoetrypodcast

Email: themadpoetrypodcast@gmail.com

Trigger Warning: mental illness & suicide

This episode focuses on Bipolar Disorder which is characterized by highs (mania or hypomania) and/or lows (depressive episodes). Although this illness can have devastating effets and requires treatment, sometimes those of us who live with it miss the elements of the highs (eg., high self-esteem; high productivity; euphoria; etc.). An overall picture of what it means to be bipolar will be discussed, the good, the bad and the ugly. Reconstruction of one's self and one's identity and finding new meaning to one's life is central to recovery.

Poem: Madness (G. Vrakas, 2023)

For more information on bipolar disorders:

Canadian Psychological Association

Mental health support - Government of Canada

American Psychiatric Association

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (US)

Send us a text

Instagram: @themadpoetrypodcast

Email: themadpoetrypodcast@gmail.com

*Trigger Warning: mental illness and suicide*

Welcome to the first episode of Mad Poetry: Mental Illness Reimagined.

Today's episode will focus on that "in-between space", the one in which we find ourselves when we first start feeling mentally unwell, when our symptoms first start, all the way to the moment we finally get answers regarding our condition. We will also talk about what mental illness is and the labels people use to define themselves living with a mental illness. We will also touch upon madness.

To learn more about madness, these are 2 must reads:

LeFrançois, B., Menzies, R., Reaume, G. (Editors) (2013). Mad Matters: A Critical Reader in Canadian Mad Studies. Canadian Scholars.

Russo, J, & Sweeney, A. (Editors) (2016). Searching for a Rose Garden: challenging psychiatry, fostering mad studies. PCCS Books.

Send us a text

Instagram: @themadpoetrypodcast

Email: themadpoetrypodcast@gmail.com