According to the National Institute of Mental Health and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 2.6 percent of American adults have bipolar disorder. I’m one of them. That statistic means I’m one of 6.1 million in the United States alone. And yet as far as statistics go, I could myself lucky as there’s a high percentage of people with mental illness who also experience homelessness, incarceration, or a lack of mental health services.
The internet has a wealth of information about bipolar disorder. Here are just a handful of websites where you can read more.
AFSP – The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
According to their website they are “the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.”
Bipolar Child Support:
As stated on their website: “This website was started to bring not only information, but help, support, and hope to parents of children with bipolar disorder.”
BP Hope:
A magazine with a wealth of information about bipolar disorder.
DBSA -Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
Organization created by those living with mood disorders for the affected:
Esperanza: Hope to Cope with Anxiety and Depression
A magazine dedicated to helping people who struggle with anxiety and depression.
IBPF – International Bipolar Foundation:
From their website: “International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), formerly known as California Bipolar Foundation, was founded in June 2007 in San Diego, California by four parents with children affected by bipolar disorder. Well aware of the trauma that bipolar disorder causes for consumers and their families, these parents felt compelled to do something constructive to help.”
ISBP – International Society for Bipolar Disorders:
From their website: “The Society has as its missions the promotion of awareness of this condition in society at large, promotion of awareness and education about this condition among mental health professionals, fostering research on all aspects of bipolar disorder, and promotion of international collaboration in this area.”
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness:
According to their website, NAMI is “the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.
NAMI is the foundation for hundreds of NAMI State Organizations, NAMI Affiliates and volunteer leaders who work in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs.”
The Balanced Mind
A network for parents and a program of the DBSA
The National Institute of Mental Health on Bipolar Disorder:
The national institute of mental health defines bipolar disorder here, relates contributing factors in developing the disease, and discusses treatment:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
Dinner with Doppelgangers 