Michael Solomon

by Bud Clayman

“Once I got stable, I thought to myself, this is why I’m on the planet . . . to be a voice for the countless number of people with mental illness who feel like they don’t have their own voice.” —Michael Solomon

We lift up the voices of individuals living with mental illness. Busting stigma one essay and short film at a time. Join the movement.

A note from the director of this video, Bud Clayman:

Directing the Mike Solomon video was inspiring. Mike is one fine person. He has been able to create a full life for himself. He is married, assumes responsibilities, and helps others in their own recovery journeys. He has a lot of empathy for people, too. This is what I most admire about Mike.

Mike Solomon & Bud Clayman

He cares about his fellow man in ways I can only hope to emulate. His bond with people has made him dedicate his life to erasing mental illness stigma and advocating for those effected by it. Specifically, he is willing to talk about his illness.

Mike is not afraid to say to someone, “Yes, I live with bipolar.”

And if you pull away from him when you hear that, he’ll re-engage you and help you understand better. Mike is not willing to stand in the shadows and the fact that he has shared his life with us shows that.

Learn more about Michael Solomon’s book, It Comes From Within, by following this link.

See Related Recovery Stories: Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health Short Films

Tags: bipolar, Bud Clayman, crisis intervention, FreshFly, group therapy, mental health, mental illness, peer specialist, Peer Support, recovery, symptoms

Bud Clayman

Bud Clayman is the publisher of OC87 Recovery Diaries. The website is an outgrowth of the autobiographical documentary film, OC87: The Obsessive Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie. Bud created, co-directed (along with Glenn Holsten and Scott Johnston) and was the principle subject of OC87, which had its theatrical premiere in 2012 and can now be seen on Amazon and YouTube. The film chronicles Bud’s ongoing battle with mental illness. OC87 Recovery Diaries expands on that story by allowing others to share their own stories of empowerment. His vision is simple yet challenging: to have a world free of mental illness stigma.