E002 Beth Beattie Disclosing Bipolar Disorder
Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Beth Beattie
Start times and Segment Summaries:
[0:00:19] What’s On Your Mind: Sammy and John talk about the masks we wear and how we notice some of them, but maybe not all of them.
[0:09:51] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] Part 2 of our discussion with Beth Beattie, a lawyer who revealed her bipolar disorder at work after keeping it secret for 14 years.
[0:25:34] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Instead of practice makes perfect, what about practice makes habit?
[0:28:54] Move That Body: Differences between core and strength training.
[0:34:51] Running Popup: Poets ask the questions and philosophers try to answer them.
[0:37:00] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila and John talk about budgeting when they were starting out in their careers, and the importance of economic wellness.
Quotes and Take-Aways:
Sammy – The first step is always awareness. Being aware that I am putting on this mask. What am I covering up?
John – Now I’m a bit concerned because I spotted one mask that I was wearing, which was hidden, but I haven’t looked for other ones. How many masks can you wear?
Beth – I feel terrific. I found the disclosing process to be incredibly cathartic and empowering after 14 years living as a condensed ball of angst worrying about people finding out about my illness. After I disclosed publicly it was like an explosion where all sorts of good things happened. The most important is opening the conversation and helping others get the help they need.
Beth – For some people who disclose at work, there is a risk that there is going to be a jerk who’s going to say something negative. What I’d say to a person whose disclosing is yeah there is a jerk, but there are many many more supportive people around you. The supportive people far outweigh the jerks, so I would rely on support from the majority of people and try not worry about the jerk too much.
Cameron – I started looking at my own habits and tendencies and way to build better versions of things. I could practice choosing patience instead of snapping. I could practice taking my sweet time over coffee in the morning, instead of rushing to get things done.
Bulletin Board quote brought to you by Sheila: I didn’t want to buy milk with coins.
Guest Information: Beth is Senior Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General Civil Law Division, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care Branch. She has a broad litigation practice. Beth Beattie “came out of the mental illness closet,” as she puts it, after 14 years of working as a lawyer with bipolar disorder. Her story has been broadly featured on television, newspaper and other media. Beth has made presentations to thousands of people, including professionals and the public at large. Beth works hard and volunteers much time to help improve the lives of those living with mental illness as well those who care for them.
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie