Description
One in every five Americans lives with some form of a clinically diagnosable mental health challenge. With symptoms ranging in level and frequency from mildly disruptive to debilitating: from daily and consistent, to yearly or rarely occurring reminders, mental health challenges affect all of us (including families, friends and loved ones) in direct and indirect ways. While causes, symptoms and treatments may vary, life with mental health challenges commonly requires consistency in routine, positivity in practice, understanding a variety of treatment options, and support from health professionals, friends and family. This evening we will hear from visual artist and mental health awareness advocate JJ Long about his experience living with Bipolar. From first signs to situational episodes JJ will share his experience and thoughts about how to support loved ones, how to advocate for yourself (and others), and ways to end the mental illness stigma by embracing love, practicing kindness, and increasing helpful support for all.
In 2013 artist and entrepreneur, JJ Long was diagnosed Bipolar 1 after having a string of manic episodes and delusions and was admitted into a psychiatric ward where he was put on mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to stop the mania. After being discharged from the hospital, he remained on medication for over seven years and began his healing journey with the help of psychologists, psychiatrists, PCP, coaches, and supportive family and friends. On Dec. 31, 2021 JJ was finally able to successfully taper off of medications and was medicine free for two and a half years with no manic episodes. During the summer of 2024 however, he endured another unexpected manic episode and was placed back in the psychiatric ward for three weeks. With many lessons learned, JJ continues to move forward in his artistic and entrepreneurial career as he works to expand mental health awareness and advocacy with optimism born from experience. Find out more about JJ Long and his art at www. jjartworks.com.
