To the Journal editor:

On Sept. 24, a very brave therapist rented a fifteen passenger van and picked up a group of her patients for the purpose of attending the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 2015 “I to We” conference held near Chicago, Ill.

I am one of her patients. I suffer and struggle with bipolar 1 disorder, mixed mania and depression with psychotic features.

Some folks, personally or professionally, may wonder, “Why on earth would a therapist risk her reputation, credentials and maybe even life to take a group of ‘crazies’ to a conference?”

I do not know the answer to this question, but I do know it was something way out of the box wonderful.

The keynote speaker at the conference was Mariel Hemingway, the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. Ms. Hemingway is the author of, “Out Came the Sun: Overcoming the Legacy of Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide in My Family.”

Her keynote address was powerful, passionate and humorous, but I am not writing to promote her book. I’m writing to specially thank my brave therapist and our U.P. Bipolar Support Group “We” Team.

For those of us connected to the mental health system in whatever capacity, it is and can be and doesn’t have to be a frustrating, confusing, challenging arena. That said, most of us are trying to do our very best to recover and heal.

We do this for ourselves so that we may become better people, partners, parents, friends, neighbors and members in our community. Personally, my “We” team is select and small, but mighty and magnificent. My team is comprised of a doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, some family members, a dear, close friend, sponsors, fellows and my higher power. My team grows little by little, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Meditations and medications help too. Stability happens slowly; quick fixes rarely exist.

The DBSA conference allowed me the opportunity to get to know the members of our small bipolar support group much better as well as feeling a part of a larger network of folks managing with the up’s/down’s and other many facets of bipolar disorder.

To my brave therapist, thank you for this awesome opportunity. “Those who dare take risks shall fulfill their passions.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

To our U.P. BP Group-you guys and gals rock! To those maybe unsure or trying to cope alone, there is help and hope. Look wider still.

Elizabeth Smith

Marquette