Making Meaning out of Manic Depression

a workshop for folks navigating bipolar

Sunday September 26, 10am-12pm, Hidden Park, Albuquerque NM

In this trauma-informed space, we will gather to explore what it means to live with the altered states and emotional extremes that get labeled as “bipolar disorder,” with a keen attention to the ways social and political context inform our struggles. Through facilitated discussion, journaling, sharing stories, and somatic exercises, we'll develop our visions of self-care and collective healing. This workshop aims to help build community and overcome alienation. Participants will leave with a sense of possible paths forward, and concrete tools they can use.

Access info:

• This event will be held in a quiet and low-traffic public park. Because the event will be outdoors, masks are optional but welcome for anyone who is vaccinated. If you're not vaccinated, please wear a mask. I request that everyone, regardless of mask or vaccine status, observe social distancing.
• You may want to bring a blanket or portable chair to sit on, as well as snacks or drinks for yourself.
• To make this event accessible to the facilitator, and to attendees with chemical sensitivities, please come fragrance-free. This means no perfumes, colognes, scented detergents, etc.

About the Facilitator

This workshop will be facilitated by Jacks McNamara, a genderqueer healer, teacher, artist, writer, and podcaster based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jacks has a bipolar diagnosis and identifies as a trauma survivor. They offer somatic coaching and wellness mentoring to clients locally and across the world via zoom. They also host the podcast So Many Wings, a series of conversations at the intersection of radical mental health and social justice.

In 2002 Jacks co-founded The Icarus Project, (now known as the Fireweed Collective). Jacks is the author of Inbetweenland, a collection of poetry, and co-author of Navigating the Space Between Brilliance and Madness, and their life and work are the subject of the poetic documentary Crooked Beauty. Jacks has been peer counseling, facilitating support groups, teaching art and writing classes, and leading workshops around mental health, trauma, leadership, and resilience since 2004.