Married with Bipolar: How We Make it Work

Trigger warning: This post contains a brief mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or refer to our list of International Suicide Hotlines.
April Mansilla was born in Canada in 1977. She has lived with Bipolar and OCD for over two decades and is now in a healthy place in her ongoing recovery. She is a professional artist, peer support worker, and advocate for mental health. She works at St. Josephs Mental Healthcare Hospital, where she was once a patient, creating art with and for patients. She also volunteers to teach art at the Mental Health Rights Coalition, a peer-run center.
Miguel Mansilla was born in Argentina in 1969 and immigrated to Canada as a child. He works at ArcelorMittal Dofasco as a product reliability coordinator and health and safety representative. Within the company, he promotes the importance of mental health through talks and events. He is proud to be a part of a company that stresses the importance of mental health and recovery. As April's primary caregiver throughout her struggles, he advocates for the caregiver to look after their own mental well-being.
Miguel and April are proud they have maintained a successful marriage throughout their struggles for 24 years. They currently live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada with their children and grandchild.
*Thumbnail image credit: April's beautiful artwork available here: pixels.com/featured/a-thousan...

[@MsOhsusanna]

Great caregiver suggestions. My teen daughter has had 5 hospitalizations. Great couple!

[@JeffZuccMusk]

Thank you for your channel. Great video! I can relate to many of the things they talked about :)

[@manmohansingh2143]

Thanks for sharing .it really inspire me.

[@swoosh3684]

I need advice. My boyfriend is bipolar and he treats my really well and I feel so loved by him. He does take his meds and he has been very transparent about everything. Is this a good sign for the future because we will be getting married soon. I won't leave him because I love him so much but I just want to be prepared so I can be a source of strength and not more stress.

[@VR-mz3fq]

Hi Melisa, It would be a good idea for you to look into support groups in your area. Self care is also very important. Taking action on these things BEFORE marriage will give you good information about how he may respond to you getting the support you will need. I understand you love him and he's important, but you're important too. Take care.

[@rivasradac]

No... really.. no, I meant.

[@sehlaw5311]

I wonder how it turned out for you :o

[@tattianaanderson]

People are so ignorant when it comes to bipolar disorder like they put us down and make it seem like we can just make it go away. Believe me ive tried. My uncle is, my grandma is and my mom is. My grandma and my mom are in complete denial so they try to hide it. I know that I have those signs too. I am not going to sit around and be ashamed of who I am anymore just cuz others cant understand me.

[@summerjupitervalentine4008]

April - you are absolutely beautiful 🕊

[@brianserious]

I wonder how many household objects have been broken over his head.

[@Jerry.anthony.c]

3:50 - Rock bottom 4:30 - Suicidal 5:30 - Diagnosis

[@JohnnyRebKy]

They don’t “ work”. The non bipolar spouse just decides to take the mental abuse and mistreatment for the sake of the kids or other various reasons

[@YoungHungryy]

JohnnyRebKy not necessarily true, my wife’s bipolar, we have no kids and we’ve been married over 7 years

[@JohnnyRebKy]

YoungHungry Let her stop taking her meds for awhile and see what happens. And I was with mine for 10 years

[@Chrisstarpromo]

I know what you mean. It can be very difficult. My spouse has left me and got with another man in less than a week. She has never accepted her diagnosis. It takes a toll but I am hoping for the best.

[@andreigardvs6438]

@@Chrisstarpromo Sorry for the question. Did your spouse back? I've been in the same situation for almost a year now.

[@Chrisstarpromo]

@@andreigardvs6438 it was a horrible couple of months. I thought she was gone forever. It was like she was a completely different person. I cried and endured much pain. I eventually started to accept she may be gone. I focused on me. She eventually came back around. I took her back and it has been a good 5 months so far. Seems like she is back to herself. I don't know what the future holds but I am hopeful. Someone said they been married for 7 years with a spouse with the illness. So a happy successful relationship is possible. I attribute the turn around to daily prayer and focusing on myself. Good luck