Our Values

The values that will guide our writing and storytelling at Bipolar and Bipartisan.

1. Bipolar people come first.

Whatever we do will serve them — and we hope our work can serve others, especially those with other mental disorders and people providing support to those with mental disorders. If we reach policymakers, researchers, activists, schools, celebrities, philanthropists, and others that’s wonderful, but they are not our primary audience.

2. Stories Matter.

A quick google of “Bipolar Disorder” returns all sorts of medical websites with causes, symptoms, medications, and research updates. What’s missing is stories of real people and lessons learned on what to do (and not do) in a bipolar life.

3. Policy, Politics, and Leadership Matter.

We both are working on reforming American democracy on a bipartisan basis, words that rarely go together. We know that public policy matters to solve the mental health “crisis” we are in. We also know politics often gets in the way of good policy, and that elected officials demonstrating leadership — which does not always mean passing laws — can often matter more.

4. We can only help others if we help ourselves.

 If we’re having a busy week or month, you may not hear from us. If we get into a bad mood, we may go silent. Writing and research will be therapeutic to us; pressure to publish more won’t.

5. Have a vision for the next ten years and a plan for the next six months.

Planning is key, plans are worthless. We don’t know where this newsletter may take us, but we’re open minded and curious what our readers think. But, we’re going to get started and see what the world thinks.

6. Medication is not a silver bullet.

Medication is scary; we should meet people where they are at, start them on a dose they can agree to take, and do everything else for them — play board games and do puzzles, read books, drink water, limit coffee and alcohol, see a therapist, spend time with the people they love, and more.

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