Married with Bipolar: How We Make it Work

Trigger warning: This post contains a brief mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or refer to our list of International Suicide Hotlines. April Mansilla was born in Canada in 1977. She has lived with Bipolar and OCD for over two decades and is now in a healthy place in her ongoing recovery. She is a professional artist, peer support worker, and advocate for mental health. She works at St. Josephs Mental Healthcare Hospital, where she was once a patient, creating art with and for patients. She also volunteers to teach art at the Mental Health Rights Coalition, a peer-run center. Miguel Mansilla was born in Argentina in 1969 and immigrated to Canada as a child. He works at ArcelorMittal Dofasco as a product reliability coordinator and health and safety representative. Within the company, he promotes the importance of mental health through talks and events. He is proud to be a part of a company that stresses the importance of mental health and recovery. As April's primary caregiver throughout her struggles, he advocates for the caregiver to look after their own mental well-being. Miguel and April are proud they have maintained a successful marriage throughout their struggles for 24 years. They currently live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada with their children and grandchild. *Thumbnail image credit: April's beautiful artwork available here: https://pixels.com/featured/a-thousan...