Victoria Maxwell

About

Victoria Maxwell (BFA/BPP*) is a sought-after mental health speaker, performer, playwright, and self-proclaimed Bipolar Princess and Wellness Warrior. She lives with bipolar disorder, anxiety and psychosis and for more than 17 years has been presenting keynotes and workshops on mental illness and recovery, creativity, wellness and self-care.

Her keynote performances and workshops help individuals and organizations comfortably talk about mental health and better understand the ‘insider’s’ experience of mental illness and recovery. Her unique programs help people create long-lasting wellness and kickstart their creativity. More importantly, she reduces stigma of this, one of the very last taboos and offers hope and tools to build wellness to flourish in life.

She’s a member of CREST.BD, a global research team on bipolar disorder. Her most recent keynote show, ‘That’s Just Crazy Talk’ was named one of the top evidence-based anti-stigma interventions by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health honoured her as a top Canadian leader in mental health. She’s appeared on CNN, in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

When she’s not presenting, you can find her running in the trails on the Sunshine Coast or practicing Chi Kung in the early morning.

(*BFA/BPP: Bachelor of Fine Arts / Bipolar Princess)

Please note: My apologies, please note that I am unable to respond to requests for personal advice through this contact form. Thanks! For mental health resources please visit my website's resource page for a downloadable e-guide.

Books by Victoria Maxwell

Recent Posts

3 Tips to Embrace Routine to Reduce Anxiety and Depression

A Personal Perspective: We've all heard it before. Routine is key to good mental health. Read on for three tips to sustain routines that boost your mood.

Is It Safe to Trigger or Extend Hypomania?

A Personal Perspective: When hypomania comes, I don’t panic anymore. I take advantage of it without coaxing it to stay longer because that can court disaster.

I Let a Fellow Psych Ward Patient Give Me a Haircut, Almost

A Personal Perspective: I'm in the psych ward, wearing those god-awful-hospital-sanctioned cotton pants. I’m already depressed; this doesn’t help.

Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Person With a Mental Illness

A Personal Perspective: A light-hearted look at well-intentioned advice.

My Psychotic Reality Feels Real to Me

A Personal Perspective: I was talking to my therapist at 2 am. "I have a baby in my stomach. I need to get it out." But I wasn't pregnant. I was, however, psychotic.

Tips to Navigate Deep Winter Depression

Personal Perspective: Everyday activities help pass the time as seasonal depression makes its way out of our systems.

Fighting for My Life

A Personal Perspective: “Did you know 'therapist' is actually 'the rapist' if you break it up?” There, that would get this psychotherapist going. But nothing.

This Is My Brain on Psychosis

A Personal Perspective: Something was happening to me. In my belly. Something foreign. I needed to get it out or find out what it was, at least.

Why I Use the Word "Crazy"

A Personal Perspective: Yes, I'm an advocate for mental health and I use the word "crazy." So what?

Mental Illness and the Process of Acceptance

A Personal Perspective: My acceptance started when people were willing to discuss what prevented me from believing I had a mental illness or needed medication.