If you don't think that bipolar disorder is a laughing matter, just ask Janelle Reeves. 

Janelle is a mental health advocate and founder of the Wyndham advocacy group AMILE, and is turning her hand to stand-up comedy, performing at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

What does that have to do with bipolar disorder?

Well, Janelle Reeves lives with bipolar disorder every day.  She says that the disorder provides her with material for her stand-up comedy routine.

 “I talk about doing the chicken dance and other things I did before medication,” she says.

She also says that being on stage gives her an outlet, despite her anxiety and depression.

 “I’m not making fun of my illness at all, but I’m trying to show people I’m comfortable with who I am - enough to put it out there and share what I know,” she said.

“Comedy is such a wonderful relief," Reeves continued.  "People don’t allow themselves enough time to relax, and that is one of the most important things in maintaining good mental health.”

“To be centre of attention without security chasing me off the stage is cool,” she quipped.

Janelle Reeves is a shining example to me, as I talk to people about bipolar disorder.  I use humor a way of reaching out to people to show them that, although we deal with a serious mental illness, we don't always have to be serious about it.

"Humor is one of my coping techniques," I tell them, as they laugh at my corny mannerisms, which help me to deal with the more serious elements of coping with my bipolar disorder.

I joke with my husband when I say, "Hey, did you hear that?"  He looks at me strangely and says, "Michele, are you hallucinating again?"

No, we don't think bipolar disorder is funny, but we do believe that a sense of humor helps you deal with the disorder.

One time I swore I saw one of our photographs on the mantle turned upside down.  I thought I was hallucinating.  Here I was, afraid I was headed for another bipolar episode.  Yet, when I asked my husband about it, he just cracked up laughing!  It was just a practical joke.

I think if we take ourselves too seriously, bipolar disorder has more power over us than we need to give it.  If we can keep our sense of humor, we can be like Janelle Reeves, who has learned to "show people I'm comfortable with who I am."