“I came to mental health advocacy because I had to deal with bipolar disorder when I was a teenager. At that time there was little information available for me and my family.
We suffered three times together: because of the illness, because of the mental health care system, and because of the myths and misinformation about mental illness in American culture. At the age of 23, I traveled across the country to interview people with bipolar disorder who had successfully managed their illness. I wanted to write the very book that my family and I desperately needed when I was seventeen. This culminated in the publication of DETOUR: MY BIPOLAR ROAD TRIP IN 4-D, and I have traveled the country dozens of times to speak with groups about mental health.”
“Lizzie Simon has all the qualities of a favorite
niece: she’s young, talented, warm and vibrant. She also has
bipolar disorder and she brings her pain and perceptions to life in a
riveting, interactive program that speaks with equal eloquence to her
peer group, parents and other caregivers, educators and health
professionals. With most bipolar diagnosis made among young people in
their teens and twenties, Lizzie Simon is a voice that must be
heard.”
Mary Lou Lowry, President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Du Page, Illinois
Lizzie has spoken at high schools, universities
and for mental health groups all over the country.
Lizzie typically does a one hour speaking engagement that includes:
• discussion of her own experiences with bipolar disorder, stigma, and
wellness,
• an interactive portion in which audience volunteers read on stage,
• a question and answer session,
• to be followed by a book signing session.
Lizzie tailors each presentation to her audience to make each
presentation as interactive and engaging as possible. A sample of more
specific topics includes:
• Detour to Wellness: Recovery and Bipolar Disorder
• Campus Mental Health Issues: Best Practices for a Healthy Campus
• Stigma in American Culture, Society, and Politics
• What Bipolar People Want Their Friends and Families to Know
Lizzie's presentations are upbeat and engaging. The goal of her
presentation is to support, inspire, and educate.
In several instances she also held a memoir writing workshop. For all
inquiries about DETOUR readings, lecture presentations, and memoir
workshops please contact Lizzie.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Many events are currently pending, details to follow.......
What People Are Saying:
"Lizzie Simon is not a rock star, so what's she doing on MTV, why is she in Time Magazine and why do crowds surge out to see her wherever she goes? Because Lizzie Simon survived that hell in Paris and now she is talking about it." - Rhode Island Monthly
“When Lizzie came to Regis University during our Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week, there was standing room only. Our venue was packed with students, mental health professionals, and citizens from the community - all who have been touched by mental disorders or suicide. Lizzie effectively reached them by sharing her experiences and
observations with compassion and eloquence. Many attendees shared with me how they were moved by her. Unlike many mental health speakers who are overly clinical on mental health topics, Lizzie really made an impact on the heart.” - Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Director, Leadership Development & Behavioral Health Promotion, Regis University
"Lizzie Simon exceeded my expectations for a dynamic, engaging, and inspiring plenary presentation. Her recounting of her recovery from serious mental illness and her commentary on current issues in mental health featured humor, solid information, compassionate insights and righteous indignation. Lizzie's engagement with our mixed audience of youth, family members of youth with mental health difficulties, and social service professionals was genuine; her observations about current issues in mental health services were astute; and her living modeling of "stigma-busting" was powerful. I can recommend Lizzie without reservation as a speaker-- she was well-prepared, well-informed, and well-spoken. Although she spoke on Saturday morning, the final day of our conference, every table was filled." - Lynwood J. Gordon, Director of Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University
Last spring we were fortunate to have Lizzie Simon visit the Washington College campus in Chestertown, MD. She presented a wonderful program which was open to all in the community. She connected with my students in a way which is not possible to achieve through readings or videos. Bipolar disorder became ons with compassion and eloquence. Many attendees shared with me how they were moved by her. Unlike many mental health speakers who are overly clinical on mental health topics, Lizzie really made an impact on the heart.” - Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Director, Leadership Development & Behavioral Health Promotion, Regis University
"Lizzie Simon exceeded my expectations for a dynamic, engaging, and inspiring plenary presentation. Her recounting of her recovery from serious mental illness and her commentary on current issues in mental health featured humor, solid information, compassionate insights and righteous indignation. Lizzie's engagement with our mixed audience of youth, family members of youth with mental health difficulties, and social service professionals was genuine; her observations about current issues in mental health services were astute; and her living modeling of "stigma-busting" was powerful. I can recommend Lizzie without reservation as a speaker-- she was well-prepared, well-informed, and well-spoken. Although she spoke on Saturday morning, the final day of our conference, every table was filled." - Lynwood J. Gordon, Director of Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University
Last spring we were fortunate to have Lizzie Simon visit the Washington College campus in Chestertown, MD. She presented a wonderful program which was open to all in the community. She connected with my students in a way which is not possible to achieve through readings or videos. Bipolar disorder became a reality for them through someoneone very close to their age. The value of this is immeasureable. Their journal entries following her visit showed me the depth of the impact. Thank you Lizzie for your open and honest sharing of who you are - an inspiration! - Sheila M. Barry, Ph.D, Professor, Washington College.