Matthew runs a group monthly Tuesdays at 5:30pm ET and Bassem runs his group Thursdays at 7pm ET also monthly

The goal of the group is to bring those with Bipolar together to share and to connect and to know that they are not alone and there are many others who can relate to what they've gone through
 

About the Moderators:
 

Matthew Ratz mjratz@gmail.com

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Matthew is a mental health peer-support specialist, nonprofit leader, educator, and author living in the suburbs of Washington, DC. As a person with lived experience, Matthew uses his own story as a channel for others to heal through. Professionally, Matthew commits his time and energy to expand opportunities for professionals with mental illness in the DC Metro area and across the US. 

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Bassem Elghawaby bassem@grassrootsmultimedia.ca

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Bassem has a passion for helping people reach their full potential and increase their emotional intelligence and self awareness. He does so from experiencing firsthand how powerful personal development, among other factors, helped him go from at times wishing he ‘only had months to live’, due to mental health struggles, to becoming stable, successful, and wanting to show there is a path to more than surviving, but thriving towards one’s pursuits while being content in the moment. He has been certified as a Life Coach under a program called Firewithin. Bassem is also an entrepreneur in the digital marketing space who has helped clients with business strategy and implementation when requested. His book, Solemn Stream - A Poetic Journey Through Faith and Bipolar, will be available for purchase in March 2023, and more info can be found at www.solemnstream.com. He resides in Ottawa, Canada, and enjoys spending time with family, friends, and diverse communities.