I’m 39 years old, living in Cincinnati, Ohio USA. I’ve written 5 books now about living with mental illness. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and several anxiety disorders with panic attacks.



On July 31, 2021, I will celebrate being a 15 year survivor of mental illness from the first time I was hospitalized. Mental illness tried to take my life many times, but my spirit was not having any of it. I really hope I get a chance to talk to the students of Moeller HS about mental health. When I attended Moeller, there wasn't much talk about mental health. All the advocacy work I do makes me feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose. That somehow, some way, makes me feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and I'm doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. It's a great feeling to feel like you are fulfilling your purpose in life. The fear of dying with unfinished business goes away. The age old question of “Have I done enough with my life?” goes away. Whatever I have sacrificed for stability (most of the time), I have gained in perspective and purpose. I am extremely grateful for my life and how it turned out. I wasn't always so optimistic. I had to work at it. I've lost plenty of battles, but I feel like I am winning the war. That's as close to beating mental illness as you can get, in my opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/Millions-Like-Me-Struggle-Illness/dp/1500865478/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=john+medl&qid=1614788177&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Poems-Bipolar-Mind-John-Medl/dp/1975805518/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=john+medl&qid=1614788235&sr=8-6

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Day-July-Years-Madness/dp/1081672056/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=john+medl&qid=1614788277&sprefix=john+medl&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.com/Entropy-Bipolar-Disorder-John-Medl/dp/B08F6YD42V/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=john+medl&qid=1614788320&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Illness-Actual-John-Medl-ebook/dp/B08XTSWXX7/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=john+medl&qid=1614788359&sr=8-7