Help Brad while he seeks treatment for Bipolar 1

Hi everyone! My name is Janna, and I'd love your help supporting a dear friend, fellow writer, and all-around amazing human being while he seeks treatment for Bipolar Disorder Type I.

Although you may not know it because he's always smiling and is the first to crack a joke, Brad has been struggling. His symptoms have progressed in severity over the past few years, and he's suffered from debilitating episodes. These have included severe depression, week-long bouts of extreme insomnia, memory gaps, dissociation, dysphoric mania, and delusions. It's a frightening illness for anyone to have, but especially for a father of two who struggles so hard to take care of his family.

He's been fighting hard against it, including therapy, medication, and recently checking himself into a mental health facility. Unfortunately, the severity of the illness has impacted his ability to work. He applied for disability, as his disorder is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but his claim is currently in appeal and may take weeks to resolve. It's common for Bipolar patients to experience extreme financial hardship, and that's, unfortunately where Brad now finds himself. Your support will help with living expenses, bills, and groceries.

Mental illness still carries a stigma around it, and he's worked to raise awareness by being as open and honest as he can about what he suffers through (including starting an amazing podcast called Batsh!t that provides an open, funny, and powerful window into Bipolar). There's a general lack of knowledge on the subject, and many people don't realize how severe and disruptive Bipolar Disorder, especially Type 1, can be. He doesn't feel like himself much of the time and has been fighting non-stop to regain stability and equilibrium.

The financial toll has been costly, and the stress of the financial burden on him makes it difficult for him to focus on his own care and healing. Health care, and mental health in particular, isn't an easy or affordable system to navigate in this country. Brad prides himself on being self-sufficient and hates to ask anyone for help, but right now he needs all the help we can provide.

Anything makes a difference, even just sharing this with your friends and family. Brad is amazing. If you don't know him, I hope you'll get to meet him or read some of his incredible work (novel, screenplays, poetry, short fiction and more!) someday. Thank you so much for your support!!