I'd like to reflect on just a few achievements made on behalf of those living with bipolar disorder in 2015 thanks to your caring efforts and support for IBPF. (Look for an email at the end of the month with even more details on the impact you have made):
  • Raised support for new college campus programs
  • Hosted first Washington D.C. breakfast & panel
  • Record breaking funding received for programs & support
  • Hired new staff with extensive non-profit experience
  • Updated kindle version of Healthy Living With Bipolar Disorder book
  • Welcomed 3 new board members: Kevin Hines, Liza Long, Randi Silverman
  • Worldwide appearances for bipolar cause including Germany & more
  • Prepared 2016 launch Behavioral Healthy Quality of Life Tool  
  • Increases in our anti-stigma campaigns, social media, etc.
  • And so much more.....
I wish I could share with you all the personal notes of thanks we've received from people like Elize in South Africa, Chrisi in Carlsbad, Calif. & Seanna in Texas. Each one has shared that IBPF has been a "lifeline and support" to them. It is only possible because of you. There are many ways to help in 2016 including making a monthly pledge of support to IBPF by clicking here.
 
Thank you for all you do and for caring for others,

Lori J. Butler, CFRE
Executive Director
Read More
2015 Catalyst Award Winner

IBPF awards an annual grant to sponsor bipolar disorder research by a young and innovative scientist. This year's winner is Dr. Michael McCarthy, who works for the Veteran's Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and the UCSD Department of Psychiatry. He is a graduate of Ohio State University of Medicine and Public Health. 

Dr. McCarthy's current research surrounds Circadian Clock Genes and Bipolar Disorder. In addition, he also has a study into the Pharmagenetics (genetic markers guiding pharmacological management) in Treatment of Refractory Depression (treatment-resistant depression).

The $45,000 award will specifically go to the Circadian Clock Genes in Bipolar study along with the Veterans Affairs/BLR&D Career Development Award in Biomedical Research. The project's goal is to ascertain how genetic variation in clock genes contributes to the therapeutic response to lithium in patients with bipolar disorder and how genetic variants affect clock function at the cellular and molecular level.Read More

Sign Up For Our Next Webinar

With Dr. Erin Michalak

Wednesday, January 13 at 9:00am Pacific Time
Sign up here (link includes time zone converter)

The CREST.BD Bipolar Wellness Centre provides people with bipolar disorder access to tailored evidence and tools to optimize self-management. In this webinar, Dr. Michalak will share findings and speak to lessons learned from the project about the most effective ways to share health information with people with bipolar disorder.

The webinar will be recorded and posted here the following week.

See the rest of our upcoming webinars here
Watch Our Latest Recorded Webinar

Internet Gaming Disorder: A Virtual Addiction
Internet Gaming Disorder: A Virtual Addiction
Internet Gaming Disorder: A Virtual Addiction
with Paul Weigle, MD

Behavioral addiction to video games, also called Internet Gaming Disorder, is typically under-recognized in medical and mental health treatment settings. Research and clinical experience reveals ways parents can protect youth health risks associated with video games habits, as well as potential treatments for pathological use.

Watch all of our recorded webinars here.

Featured Blogs




Read the rest of our blogs 
here.

Watch Our Latest YouTube Video
Mania and Bipolar Disorder
Mania and Bipolar Disorder



Sarah describes what mania feels like for her and how she has learned to manage it. 

Watch all of our YouTube videos here.
Scientific Advisory Board
 
Thank you to John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D. & Husseini K Manji, M.D. for serving as co-chairs of our Scientific Advisory board for many years. Both will remain on that board which will now be co-chaired by members Hillary P. Blumberg, M.D. & Trevor Young, M.D., Ph.D. Read more on our new co-chairs http://ibpf.org/scientific-advisory-board.
 
Research Updates



See more articles about new research updates here.
Featured Book
One Green Bottle by Debrah Anne Nixon

An attack by a swarm of bees brings on a panic attack for Jennifer Hartley, a small-town farmer's wife and mother of two young children. She is admitted to a psychiatric facility where she is surrounded by patients whose lives, like her own, are steadily disintegrating. Inter-action between the inmates of the facility is wise & often lively & en-tertaining in spite of their shared mantle of mental illness. Read More
For more books about bipolar disorder & mental health, visit here. 

Featured Movie
Touched With Fire by Paul Dalio

Katie Holmes is extraordinary playing a woman with bipolar disorder in the upcoming movie, coming to theaters on February 12th, 2016.
 
Look for  info.on IBPF's involvement with movie screenings across the U.S. soon.
Upcoming Events

Featured Event: 
Carlsbad Marathon on January 17

We are excited to have Suzy Favor Hamilton as a guest on our Stigma Buster's running team for the Carlsbad Marathon this year in San Diego.

Suzy is an Olympic Athlete and author of the bestselling book Fast Girl, which tells her story of living with bipolar disorder. 

You can participate by running, donating, or volunteering, more information here

See the rest of our events here.
About International Bipolar Foundation

International Bipolar Foundation is a not for profit organization based in San Diego whose mission is to improve understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder through research; to promote care and support resources for individuals and caregivers; and to erase stigma through education. 

International Bipolar Foundation is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or received from the International Bipolar Foundation.

Visit us online for more information: www.ibpf.org



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