THE B.A.D. GIRL CONTINUES TO MAKE GOOD
In 2011 Michelle Tibbs donned A ‘Glittered Glove & Hat’, challenging, “Who’s BAD??? I’m bad. Really, Really, BAD! Just like Michael Jackson sang.” Tibbs went on to declare, “I have the diagnosis of Bi-Polar Affective Disorder or B.A.D. And I am baaad. Really, Really Bad! But not because of what I have, but Because of Who I Am. Tibbs and her dance partner, Michael Fitzgerald, then Danced to a medley of music by Michael Jackson, coordinated to illustrate being destroyed by, going through, controlling, overcoming, and dominating the devastating impact of mental illness. On a triumphant note, Michelle Tibbs became: The B.A.D. Girl!
B.A.D. Girl Tibbs continues to make good. She continues to use over 37 years of lived experience to stomp out stigma, highlight healthy wellbeing and provide psycho-education. She’s now working on her 11th year as a Certified Peer Specialist for an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Level Team with Places for People. Tibbs has been an active Independence Center Member since 2008. Tibbs collaborates with many mental wellness oriented organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH). Tibbs was nominated as 2020’s MIMH Mental Health Champion and performed with the IC Players via Zoom for World Mental Health Day, October 2020. Tibbs enjoys participating in the Real Voices, Real Choices Consumer Conference annually for continued networking and training. Michelle Tibbs is a Founding Board Member of Consumer Operated Service Program (COSP), Gift of Voice.
Born and raised in Saint Louis, Ms. Tibbs holds a degree in psychology from Rutgers University. She loves gardening, volunteers with the Black Rep of Saint Louis, parishioner of Greater Deliverance Church and has been a member of Professional Women’s Group (PWG) since 2009. Michelle enjoys speaking to audience of all sizes, sharing her lived experience and spreading a message of hope.