From the International Bipolar Foundation, click to visit our website


     

Greetings!

 

October holds a special place in my heart. Not only does my birthday & those of several family members fall this month, but more importantly, we celebrate and promote 5 very special mental health days/weeks:
  1. October 6 - 12 is National Mental Illness Awareness Week 
  2. October 8 is National Day of Prayer
  3. October 10 is National Bipolar Awareness Day  
  4. October 10 is National Depression Screening Day
  5. October 10 is World Mental Health Day   
You will find below several events, Webinars, lectures, brochures and more related to these special days.

Please take 5 minutes each day this month to educate at least one person. You can use this link to help: Educate someone here

This 60 Minutes segment is very sobering, feel free to share.

To your health,

 

Muffy Walker

 

P.S. Feel free to also contact me at anytime Muffy

Our new mailing address: 8895 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 105-360 San Diego CA 92122  

 

 


October 6, 2013
   
If you are in a crisis,
please call:
 
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
or
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Join Our Mailing List

BIPOLAR AWARENESS DAY

Say It Forward Campaign 
 
  
When it comes to mental health conditions, silence is not golden. Silence breeds stigma, and stigma hurts. It prevents people from seeking life-saving treatment and support. The International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hope you'll join forces with us to educate and inspire people to learn the facts about mood disorders and break the chains of stigma.


Please click this link to Say it Forward
our goal is to reach 20,000 people worldwide
YOU CAN HELP!


 


Every year on 10th of October, The World Health Organization joins in celebrating the World Mental Health Day. The day is celebrated at the initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health and WHO supports this initiative through raising awareness on mental health issues.
The theme of the day in 2013 is
"Mental health and older adults"
Mental health and older adults fact sheet

The theme is helping the elderly with their problems of Depression and loneliness. Sadly this is a common occurrence. In some communities children and grandchildren have left for overseas and parents are now in retirement homes.  In rural communities, the grannys (Gogo's) often are left  bringing up grandchildren, and coping with limited grant money and huge responsibilities.
We are going to be presenting talks in retirement homes, in the main towns and suburbs, not only to the residents, but also to the staff on how to identify depression and how to help the elderly. If you would like to nominate a retirement or old age home for a SADAG talk, or would like to get your company to sponsor a talk, please contact Dessy on 011 262 6396 or [email protected].
If you live in Cape Town, please diarise the Hope Hike on the 13th October 2013. The hike is aimed at raising awareness of, and funds for, research into clinical depression by getting the public involved in fighting the stigma that so often accompanies depression. It's a family-friendly hike and you can choose between a 5 km or a 10 km route.
Support Group Leader, Suzanne Leighton, with psychiatrist Dr Neil Horn, will be hosting an Anxiety Workshop on Monday the 7th October at Valkenberg Hospital.

United Kingdom:
Tea & Talk: Help us celebrate World Mental Health Day 2013 on 10 October by holding a Tea & Talk. All you have to do is get together a group of friends, family or colleagues and put the kettle on.
& in keeping with this year's theme, How To Look After Your Mental Health In Later Life

30 years of bipolar in the U.K.
 


OCTOBER WEBINARS 

The Challenges of Treating Bipolar Disorder During the College Years 
with Dr. Russ Federman
October 8, 2013 at 9:00 am PST.

Space is limited, reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/421991734

This webinar will focus upon the salient aspects of treating students with bipolar disorder during their university years. Strong focus will be given to the necessary interface of current treatment approaches with the realities late adolescent adult identity formation and conformity with university lifestyle norms. The role of a university-based support group will also be highlighted as an essential aspect of contemporary treatment approaches.

Alcoholism & Anxiety Disorders Co-morbidity in Women
with Bipolar Disorder
with Dr. Mark Frye
October 29, 2013 at 12:00 pm PST
Space is limited, reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/670083158

Dr. Frye is Chair of the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, and Director of the Mayo Clinic Depression Center.

Dr. Frye received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his psychiatric training at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. He completed a subsequent research fellowship in the Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. While at NIMH, his area of research was focusing on the neurobiology of depression and bipolar disorder.
Formerly the Director of the UCLA Bipolar Disorder Research Program (1998-2006), he is now Director of the Mayo Clinic Depression Center. His clinical interests are in mood disorders (bipolar disorder, treatment resistant depression) with a research focus in clinical trials, pharmacogenomics, and brain imaging.

OCTOBER LECTURES

"Bipolar Disorder: Hope and Healing Through Art Therapy"
with Lisa Falls
October 10th

Special Appearance with Kevin Hines
Author of Cracked Not Broken:  Surviving and Thriving  
After a Suicide Attempt
October 17th 
In his book, Kevin Hines produces a window, with which we can see into his experience with mental illness. Cracked Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt, is a moving portrait of his life, painted with internal conflict, aguish, acceptance, and his found passion as an international speaker and mental health advocate. Hines' words are raw and often painful, laying out the stark reality of recurring psychosis.
 
NEW Location:
Janssen R&D, LLC
3210 Merryfield Row San Diego, CA 92121

Doors open at 5:45 pm
Lecture begins promptly at 6:00 pm

R.S.V.P. required: [email protected]
Event and Parking are free
These lectures will be taped & archived on our website



NEWS AROUND THE WORLD 

  




UNITED STATES:
Medication adherence in a comparative effectiveness trial for bipolar disorder
IBPF SAB

For Native Americans, Mental Health Budget Cuts Hit Hard

What is the brain telling us about the diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

In teens with bipolar disorder, predictors of substance abuse identified

Maternal smoking increases risk to offspring of bipolar disorder

Clinical research: Autism, bipolar disorder may often overlap

Mental Illness Hot Topic Among USC Students: Patrick Kennedy Speaks

Exercise may not be 'one size fits all' in bipolar patients

Soldiers Hospitalized For Mental Illness More Than Any Other Reason

Comorbid anxiety warns of bipolar psychotherapy need

Health insurers can no longer turn away those with pre-existing conditions Read more: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x2139018826/Health-insurers-can-no-longer-turn-away-those-with-pre-existing-conditions#ixzz2gvwxwEfP

UNITED KINGDOM:
Crossing Boundaries: improving integrated care for people with mental health problems

Mentally ill 'most discriminated against group in Britain'
 
CANADA:
Complementary and alternative therapies as add-on to pharmacotherapy for mood and anxiety disorders: A systematic review

GERMANY:
Neutrons show accumulation of antidepressant in brain

JAPAN:
Association between the so-called "activation syndrome" and bipolar II disorder, a related disorder, and bipolar suggestive features in outpatients with depression

ITALY:
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in major depressed and bipolar subjects: role of personality traits and clinical implications

Bipolar suicide characteristics found

FRANCE:
Gender warns of bipolar I disorder risks

SWEDEN:
Simple skin test gains traction as suicide marker

ISRAEL:
Teva halts development of Nuvigil in bipolar disorder

SPAIN:
Guidance for medication in bipolar depression published

TAIWAN:
Stroke warning for bipolar patients



** IBPF SAB = International Bipolar Foundation Scientific Advisory Board.
Read about them here
bpmag logo
Take charge of change
 
  Stigma is something that we are all familiar with. People with bipolar are often met with denial, anger, blame and other damaging reactions from relatives and friends-the very people it's natural to count on the most.
Click here to read the rest of the story.


mental health ministries
The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Awareness
Recovery and Understanding


The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Awareness Recovery and Understanding is Tuesday, October 8, 2013. This day of prayer was initiated by Angela Vickers, JD of NAMI Florida and Gunnar Christiansen, MD of NAMI California in 2004. It has had widespread support by individual congregations and National Faith Community Mental Illness Networks. You can download a resource with Liturgies to use for the National Day of Prayer on the Home page of the Mental Health Ministries website. This resource is available in English and Spanish. Many faith communities have sponsored an interfaith candle lighting service using a liturgy written by Carole J. Wills that is included in this resource.

National Depression Screening Day
  
Welcome Debbie Smith        

Deborah Smith has joined the IBPF team as Program Manager, aligning educational speakers for our series of webinars and lectures. Having been touched by a connection to bipolar disorder and a desire to promote our mission, Debbie was led to our organization.  

 

She is a member of "The Thursday Club" supporting philanthropies, serves on the board of "My Girlfriend's Closet", and is a member of Rady Children's Hospital La Playa Auxiliary.

 

She resides in San Diego with her husband and four children. 



Be among the first to know when GO2AID is available!
SAMHSA's newest app, GO2AID: Field Resources for Aiding Disaster Survivors, will soon be available for download. Be among the first to access this essential disaster response and behavioral health app. Let GO2AID assist you in responding to survivors' behavioral health needs by providing you with access to critical, disaster-related resources directly from your phone.

Sign up today to be notified when the app is ready for download to your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry.

Be focused. Spend less time worrying about logistics so you can focus on what really matters-the people in need.
Be prepared. Rely on and access predownloaded resources on your phone in case of limited Internet connectivity.
Be confident. Review key preparedness materials so you're confident about providing the best support possible.
Share resources easily. Send information to colleagues and survivors via text message or email, or transfer to a computer for printing. Tell me when it's ready
 
Big White Wall is a peer support network that encourages you to be open about what is on your mind, to learn more about yourself and to work through what is troubling you. Watch their video here

 WELCOME our Newest Blogger
Leif Norgaard Gregersen, author of "Through The Withering Storm: A Brief History of a Mental Illness"
Read about him here

THE BOOK & MOVIE CORNER

 

Healthy Living with Bipolar Disorder, now available on Kindle

here  book

    

NEW CHAPTERS!!! 

 

 

Em us for a PDF copy of either: [email protected] 

 

 

Diary of a Bipolar Survivor  

by Elaine Fogarty 

This book is a selection of poetry, meditations, journal, Q&A etc written from the age of just 13. While presenting the raw and unapologetic musings of a bipolar mind, the style remains casual and inviting. There are glimpses of extreme despair, but the text is also peppered with works of hope. I am not a mental health professional or an expert on bipolar disorder. I am one of those who have had to learn to live with it; in this book I share some of my personal journey and discuss the coping strategies that have worked best for me so far.  The style is conversational  and the content compelling.
This book is for those who live with mental illness and their family and carers who wish to better understand.  Professionals may also find it interesting.  

  

Latent Heat

by David Fredette
David Fredette's first book, Latent Heat, is a personal poetic novel based on his emotional journey through his first year after being hospitalized for bipolar disorder. 
"This book is a reflection of how I cope with mental illness, as well as the rest of life's challenges," said Fredette.



 








Taking on the World:
Free Global Film Screening on Mental Illness, Oct. 10

By Bob Carolla, NAMI Director of Media Relations
"Think globally, act locally."

The slogan has long been associated with the environmental movement, but also applies to efforts to improve the lives of people living with mental illness. Common issues exist among nations and peoples, as well as differences.

In observance of World Mental Health Day, Thurs., Oct. 10, a free online Global Screening Event will be held for Hidden Pictures: A Personal Journey into Global Mental Health by Seattle filmmaker, physician and mental health advocate. Delaney Ruston, M.D

The documentary can be streamed from its website anytime in the 24 hour window that begins on Oct. 10 at 1:00 a.m. Pacific time (3:00 a.m. Eastern). Individuals are encouraged to circulate advance notice about the on-line screening through email lists and social media.

The film looks at individuals and families affected by mental illness in Africa, China, France, India and the United States. Stigma and the need for greater access to treatment and care are major themes, framed against colorful, emotionally powerful backgrounds.

Here are pictures from our last 2 Book signings

Ellen Fornay, author of Marbles (Marbles)

















and with Melody Moezzi (on the right), author of Haldol & Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life
 

 RESEARCH STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Patient Recruitment
brain
******************************************************************************
atlas
Daily vs. Monthly: Monthly intramuscular injections are offering new pathways for people seeking long-term management for conditions like Bipolar I Disorder. Unlike oral medications which must be taken on a daily basis, monthly injections are designed to help:

Extend time between episodes. 
Keep blood concentrations of medication in the body 
within therapeutic levels. 
Promote greater adherence to treatment. 
All eligible study participants will receive at no cost:

Study-related care and monitoring. 
Study visits with the study doctor. 
Study drugs
Are you eligible? Check here
***************************************************************************** 
search
WeSearchTogether advances depression, bipolar disorder and mood research through encouraging volunteer participation and enhancing community-researcher relationships.
https://www.wesearchtogether.org
**********************************************************
The Delphi Consensus Study
crest
  
Our new Bipolar Research Blog series explores the people and methods behind our Delphi Consensus Study. Learn more about the experiences of our team of researchers, as they continue on their journey to deepen our understandings of the self-management of bipolar disorder.
http://www.crestbd.ca/research-projects/delphi-consensus-study/#all/1/list?utm_source=e-Blast+July+2013&utm_campaign=July+eBlast+2013&utm_medium=email
*************************************************************
KINECT2STUDY

If you or a loved one have schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or a gastrointestinal disorder (including trouble with reflux and/or gastric emptying) and experience involuntary movements in your face or other parts of your body, you may qualify for a medical research study. Each individual must be 18 to 85 years of age, and will be evaluated to determine his or her eligibility. All participants will receive study-related medical exams and lab tests at no charge. Compensation for time and travel may be available.
To learn more, visit www.Kinect2Study.com.
*******************************************************************
Village Clinical Research Inc., located in Manhattan, is currently conducting several studies for subjects with Bipolar I disorder.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder or is suffering from extreme mood swings, sleep impairment, depression, elation or irritability, racing thoughts, impaired concentration and impulsivity, please contact us at 646-688-5224. Our team of board-certified psychiatrists and highly-trained research coordinators are available to discuss our Bipolar I studies with you. All study related-care and study-related medication are provided at no cost. No insurance is required.  Please call us today to see if one of our studies would be right for you
 ***************************************************************************************
research ad
**********************************************************************
nimh
 
Dr. Leibenluft is seeking children with bipolar disorder; children with very severe irritability (regardless of whether or not they have bipolar disorder) and children who may not have bipolar disorder but who have parents or siblings that have bipolar disorder. If travel is necessary they will pay the travel costs. You can learn more by calling (301)496-8381 or e-mailing [email protected].
**
Bipolar Disorder (Pediatric) Research Studies
http://patientinfo.nimh.nih.gov/BipolarDisorderPediatric.aspx#220
*************************************************************************
The Hospital of the University of Munich is looking for participants for a therapy study with a new method of treatment for depressive symptoms. Implementation of treatments in the outpatient or day-care framework. [email protected] oder einen Anruf unter 089 51 60 58 99. Bitte sprechen Sie ggf. auf den AB. Wir rufen Sie umgehend zur�ck.

SAVE THE DATE

 

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival

October 1-26

********************* 

Akeso Crescent Clinic in Randburg invites you to join them for a free community talk on Saturday the 12th October at 10am. Guest psychologist Dr Melanie Krasin will be talking on "Living with and loving someone with a Mental Illness". This is a great talk for people living with a mental illness and their loved ones. 

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Walking the Four Directions: A Traditional View of Discipline

October 14 - 16, 2013 

First Nations Behavioral Health Association's Society of T.R.U.T.H. announces a workshop for parents, foster/adoptive parents, teachers, juvenile probation workers, group home, detention or shelter home workers, parent trainers, substance abuse workers or anyone that works with Native American youth and families. 

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, Minnesota, USA
************************    

Maximizing the Impact of Bipolar Disorders Research  

October 22 

via Web 2.0: Lessons from CREST.BD : register here
*********************** 
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST | 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST  

Stand Up For Mental Health is a program teaching stand-up comedy to people with mental health issues. It has teamed up with WISE Employment to make its Australian debut on Oct 25 at the Edge Theater in Melbourne. Go to http://standupformentalhealth.com/melbourne-program/ for more information

*********************** 

SARDAA conference to learn from the best experts on schizophrenia-related disorders.

October 26, 2013

Houston, TX, USA

************************  

Free Medical Scheme Workshop (What mental health benefit does your medical aid cover) 

October 26; 9:00 - 12:00  

Sandton, S. Africa

call Dessy on 011 262 6396 or [email protected] 

************************* 

World Psychiatric Association International Congress 
27 - 30 October 2013
Barcelona, Spain

Website: www.wpaic2013.org

***********************

International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (August 2014)
The 21st World Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry will be held in Durban next year. Visit http://www.iacapap2014.co.za/ for more information and to book your place now.   

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 27th Annual Children's Mental Health Research & Policy Conference will be held March 2 - 5, 2014.   

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ISBD meeting

March 18-21, 2014 

Seoul, Korea

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The Fourth International Conference on Families with Parental Mental Health Challenges  

Fri April 25th - Sun April, 27th, 2014

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Annual International Conference of the Association of Psychology and Psychiatry for Adults and Children(A.P.P.A.C.). The Conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel, in Athens, Greece, on 13-16 May 2014  

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The Annual Meeting of the International Forum of Psychosis & Bipolarity

May 25-28, 2014

Athens Greece 


About the International Bipolar Foundation
 
International Bipolar Foundation is a not for profit organization based in San Diego whose mission is to eliminate Bipolar Disorder through the advancement of research; to promote care and support services; and to erase associated stigma through public education.
IBPF
Visit us online for more information: www.internationalbipolarfoundation.org
OFFICE:
11622 El Camino Real, Suite 100  San Diego, CA 92130
p: (858) 764-2496  f: (858) 764-2491 m: (858) 990-1862
MAILING ADDRESS:
8895 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 105-360  San Diego, CA 92122
We have a new Community Page on FaceBook.

Please join us on Facebook and "Like" us and help us spread the word.
Find us on Facebook


A Word About Funding

 

Please note that International Bipolar Foundation does not represent any pharmaceutical company or give any speeches for a pharmaceutical company nor does our site receive advertising dollars from any company.