My name is Mark Maiden. I’m a student at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas studying Sociology and American Studies with a focus in gender and sexuality. I was diagnosed bipolar type II rapid cycling a week after I graduated high school at the age of 18. Beginning college with a fresh new diagnosis left me with a lot of needs and stressors that I couldn’t fulfill or alleviate. After a few traumatic turns of events here and there, I’ve come to a more stable place in terms of my mood, and I’m always working to help myself remain stable. Though I am diagnosed bipolar, I try my best to not let that dictate my actions. I began attending a Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) in Overland Park, Kansas at the beginning of 2014. Through that I discovered other organizations dedicated to supporting people living with bipolar disorder, and I want to add my voice and personal history to the conversation surrounding bipolar. 

I also have a personal writing site at http://thecriticalqueer.tumblr.com/