Welcome Friends!

Welcome, sit down and have a cup of tea by the fire.  You have found "Our Lady of Bipolar."  This is a safe space for those in mental distress, as well as friends and family.  Here we discuss things Catholic and mental health related, as well as life in general.

Why have we named this place "Our Lady of Bipolar?"  The Blessed Virgin is Our Lady and Mother in everything, even our mental health conditions.  Mara-Jade just happens to have Bipolar I.  Also, it will be easier to find on the internet for those with  mental health problems or their allies in this fight.

You will notice a reoccurring theme across the website: butterflies.  In fact, the main image is called "Our Lady of the Butterflies." At times we may refer to her by that name.

Why have we chosen butterflies?  The butterfly is a potent symbol in both Catholicism and in mental health circles.  And why not?  There is something so noble and transformative in the life cycle of a butterfly.

For Catholics, the butterfly represents Jesus's death and resurrection, a metamorphosis.  When we deal with a mental health condition, we go through a metamorphosis in our healing journey.  At first, things are dark and ominous, like Jesus's death.  Then the  miracle happens. We are like Jesus "resurrected" into a new life.  We break out of our "cocoon" and feel alive again.

In mental health circles, the butterfly holds a very similar meaning.  It is a symbol of mental health recovery.  It is like a badge of honor that implies you have fought hard to obtain mental stability.  Your have gone through a mental health metamorphosis, just like the butterfly.  Your mental health treatment has helped your break through your cocoon and come out a thing of beauty. You now feel more free and at peace.