Finding Solace: Amanda McNamara's Journey with Bipolar Disorder and Monarch Mental HealthAmanda has become a dear friend of mine after shipping me a beautiful care package, which included her journal that helped me A LOT.Amanda McNamara, founder of Monarch Mental Health, joins Paris to discuss her personal journey with bipolar 1 disorder, diagnosed in 2010. Amanda shares how her journey began with journaling, initially a lifeline for communicating her suicidal thoughts when young, leading to her development of a color-coded brain log to track her symptoms. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lengthy depressive episode and a stay in a mental hospital, Amanda's resilience led her to establish Monarch Mental Health. Her advocacy work aims to break the stigma around bipolar disorder and empower others in their mental health journeys. The discussion covers Amanda's past experiences, her involvement in mental health advocacy, and her creation of a journal designed to help individuals manage their mental health symptoms.Grab your own journal here!