Barbara Joyce Abang

• Abang has said that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while completing a master's degree in International Commercial Law at the University of Birmingham. She later wrote publicly about the condition and its effect on her life and career in Be Kind to Your Mind. [2][1]

• Abang has said that she became unwell while completing her master's degree and nevertheless finished the program on time, describing the period as one of considerable hardship. [1]
• She has also described experiencing repeated episodes and difficulties in the workplace, including feeling that her health-related availability was treated as a problem and that she was not adequately accommodated for an invisible disability. [2][1]

• Abang has said that she experienced repeated episodes before finding a doctor at Nakasero Hospital who managed her bipolar disorder effectively. [1]

• Abang has described becoming more deliberate about protecting her health after years of pushing herself to prove that illness did not limit her professionally. She has said that she now prioritizes her health, spiritual life, family and friendships, practices self-care, and has seen her health improve. [3]

• Abang has used her writing and public speaking to challenge stigma around mental illness and increase understanding of invisible disabilities. She has also called for more accessible mental-health services and stronger workplace understanding and accommodations. [2][1]

“Mental health matters, and you matter.”

— Barbara Joyce Abang [1]