Mad Poetry: Mental Illness Reimagined
*Trigger warning: mental illness and suicide*
Welcome to Mad Poetry: Mental Illness Reimagined.
My name is Georgia Vrakas. I am a bipolar woman, a clinical psychologist, a university professor and I write poetry on my mental illness journey.
In this podcast, I will explore the ups and downs of mental illness. In each episode I will be sharing discussion points on mental illness as well one of my poems to encourage reflection on what it is to live with a mental illness.
Why poetry and mental illness? Poetry can offer us valuable perspectives and insights on living with a mental illness. It can also help us in our recovery process. Poetry has been a balm for me. It has grounded me and helped quiet my mind.
I hope this podcast offers you a soft place to land.
I would love to hear from you!
For questions and comments: themadpoetrypodcast@gmail.com
For updates on upcoming episodes check out my IG account @themadpoetrypodcast
Cover art by Jean-François Houle
Intro/outro music: Finding Hope (Emotional Cinematic Inspiring Piano, by Yudi Ashady (ASCAP) via Pond5
Suicide prevention ressources:
Please call 988 in Canada & US
Mental health resources:
For Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
World: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/
Mad Poetry: Mental Illness Reimagined
Missing the Highs
Trigger Warning: mental illness & suicide
This episode focuses on Bipolar Disorder which is characterized by highs (mania or hypomania) and/or lows (depressive episodes). Although this illness can have devastating effets and requires treatment, sometimes those of us who live with it miss the elements of the highs (eg., high self-esteem; high productivity; euphoria; etc.). An overall picture of what it means to be bipolar will be discussed, the good, the bad and the ugly. Reconstruction of one's self and one's identity and finding new meaning to one's life is central to recovery.
Poem: Madness (G. Vrakas, 2023)
For more information on bipolar disorders:
Canadian Psychological Association
Mental health support - Government of Canada
American Psychiatric Association
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (US)
Instagram: @themadpoetrypodcast
Email: themadpoetrypodcast@gmail.com