When Arlen is not working contracts as a Workplace Safety Advisor, he focuses on his writing craft. At work, he writes safety documentation and investigations. At home he writes books, screenplays and songs.
Arlen came out with mental illness at work at a major facility in Fort McMurray and sold the two books that he wrote, The Bipolar Guide to the Gift and Fracture: A Memoir. In the following weeks at work Arlen was approached by many people with their own stories of suffering and courage to find and maintain a place in the workplace.
In his twenties, Arlen Rundvall was hospitalized many times in the Psychiatric Ward. He didn’t realize it at the time yet through his life he was doing character and situational research for his writings. There was always a cross section of community in the ward with all ages and backgrounds.
Arlen has learned ways to stay out of the hospital. One of the ways is to execute catharsis through his writing.
Arlen Rundvall is a writer, speaker, musician and mental health advocate, whose mission is to use his creativity and tenacity to inspire and lead others toward better mental health.
I love the language of this book, “Fracture: A Memoir.” Grief, addiction, bipolar, psychosis, depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety are captured in poetic language. It is great that people are responding to this memoir of madness. I am thankful that I can look back on those rough years. It is important to get the help that we may need as soon as possible.
This book, “The Bipolar Guide to the Gift” is filled with my humble wisdom on living successfully with mental illness. Honest, practical tips fill the pages. It is about living self-responsibly to face the challenges with your head held high. Remember to get the professional help that you need. This guide will help you on your journey to better mental health. This is the attitude-pep-talk-book of choice in this field.