CREST.Bipolar Disorder
University of British Columbia V6T 2A1 Vancouver, BC, Canada

What do you do to stay resilient during COVID-19? In a new blog post, Raymond Tremblay, Ottawa-based poet who lives well with bipolar disorder, shares a meaningful poem, and a story of what he's done to stay well during COVID-19. ----... Sign up for #TalkBD - Bipolar Disorder and Resiliency, tomorrow at 12PM PT! This free webinar features Alessandra Torresani, mental health advocate & actress. Visit www.talkbd.live to sign up! See more

Here's a clip from King of the Hill showing Kahn experiencing bipolar disorder symptoms (bipolar disorder used to be called "manic depression"). How accurate do you think it is?

Alessandra Torresani - actress, mental health advocate, host of The EmotionAL Support podcast, will be joining our first #TalkBD Q&A livestream of 2021! When: Thursday, January 21st, 12-1pm PT, 3-4pm ET Tune in live here on Facebook or register on Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EaeFJwJxSeqPuCABplvo8g... Learn more: www.TalkBD.live

"In order to make full-time work for me, I’ve had to develop self-management strategies unique to my life and my work." As the pandemic continues, strategies for staying well with bipolar disorder are more important than ever. In a #BipolarBlog post from last year, Natasha shares their tips for navigating bipolar disorder and a full-time work schedulein the midst of a pandemic.

"I began to read articles about living with bipolar disorder, mainly from Europe, Australia and North America. I longed to hear from people in Africa, too." Patrick Boruett is a mental health advocate and accomplished pharmaceutical advisor from Kenya, who lives well with bipolar disorder. He shares his story of moving from denial of his condition to co-founding Bipolar Heroes Kenya in this new #BipolarBlog post!

It's been a rough year! But in the midst of these difficult times, CREST.BD has been hard at work on a projects that you might find it helpful to learn about. From webinars, to mobile apps, to strikes, to magic mushrooms, click below for a recap of everything CREST.BD has been up to in 2020!

We're delighted to announce that CREST.BD network member Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, of UC Berkeley, has won the prestigious American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions! Dr. Hinshaw is being recognized for his important work on ADHD in women and girls, developmental mental health, and mental illness stigma. Congratulations Dr. Hinshaw on winning this well-deserved prize!

"The feeling of care and compassion for one another amongst the members of the group and supporting team is ever-present" This NEW Bipolar Bridges update comes from Marek & Rosemary, who chair the "BBAG," the advisory group of people with bipolar disorder who share their insights for our app development. Read to learn more!

Launching our newly remodeled Bipolar Blog! Our Bipolar Blog is a hub for research on bipolar disorder, updates on CREST.BD's events and projects, and stories from people who live with bipolar disorder. Check it out!

As many of us around the world are seeing 2nd or even 3rd waves of COVID-19, now may be a good time to revisit our first TalkBD LIVE webinar - Tips and Tools for Uncertain Times. (Skip ahead to 10:50 if you're already familiar with the speakers and format, where Victoria goes straight into great #selfcare tips. #SelfCareWeek). --- We also have a full library of #TalkBD videos available at www.talkbd.live, as well as details on our upcoming webinar on November 27th!

"One of the most unsettling challenges a person living with a bipolar disorder can face is being confronted with having emotionally hurt a loved one or a close friend during a severe manic episode." This honest, powerful new post comes from Raymond Tremblay, poet and CREST.BD peer researcher. In it, he candidly shares what it's like to accept when your actions during an episode hurt someone else.

Join psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Ben Goldstein from the Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder for our free live webinar + Q&A, #TalkBD: Exercise for Youth w/ Bipolar Disorder on Nov 9 (Mon), 12pm PT/3pm ET! Everyone is welcome! The event will be streamed live here Facebook, or you can register to attend on Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0W6J2PGSTrindHTff6NnGg Submit your questions for our live Q&A at www.TalkBD.live... See you then! See more

It's #selfcareweek in Europe! This week, European Psychiatric Association will be sharing daily self care tips on their Facebook page. Watch the introduction video below to learn more, or check out their page at European Psychiatric Association - EPA to see the first 2 tips.

Next Monday, November 9th: #TalkBD Live - Exercise for Youth with #BipolarDisorder! At this webinar, Dr. Ben Goldstein and 21-year-old Tera, who lives with bipolar disorder, will join us to talk about exercise as medicine for bipolar disorder. All are welcome! Register at http://talkbd.live!

Psychiatrist Trisha Chakrabarty, clinical professor Ivan Torres, peer researcher Victoria Maxwell, and CREST.BD’s Erin Michalak discuss how bipolar disorder affects cognitionthat is, mental processes like learning, thinking, focusing and memory.

How can you thrive in a relationship with a person with bipolar disorder? Here, Megan shares 5 practical tips for a thriving as a couple when your partner lives with bipolar disorder. Give it a read to learn more!

What concerns should people have about bipolar disorder, pregnancy, and childbirth? The National Centre for Mental Health and Bipolar UK are hosting a webinar about pregnancy and bipolar disorder on November 12th. They'll share tips on preparing for pregnancy, talk about which medications and treatments are best, and explore the choices people with bipolar disorder face when it comes to pregnancy.

I am really sick of mental health professionals asking me how I have sex. Our newest #BipolarBlog post is from Danya, a trans man who lives with bipolar disorder. He recounts how mental health workers have constantly overstepped his boundaries to appease their own curiosity, instead of giving him the help he needed. content note: discusses sex and sexual anatomy

How does the COVID-19 pandemic uniquely affect people with bipolar disorder? Learn how in this new paper, now officially published by the WikiJournal of Medicine. The authors share the many challenges people with bipolar disorder face as a result of COVID-19but also, the opportunity for a shift that may serve mental health better.

I truly believe that exercise is the #1 tool I have for regulating my mental health and well-being. Tera, age 21 We've just published the last in a 3-part Bipolar Blog series about a new study of exercise as medicine for youth with bipolar disorder. In this final post, Tera, patient collaborator, shares her experiences with exercise as a young adult living with bipolar disorder. We'll also be doing a #talkbd webinar featuring Tera and Dr. Benjamin Goldstein on Nov 9thdetails in the bog!

Bipolar psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Benjamin Goldstein from the University of Toronto, patient collaborator Tera Armel, and CREST.BD’s Erin Michalak discuss how exercise can be used as a treatment for youth with bipolar disorder. #TalkBD LIVE is a series of free, online community gatherings to share support and tips for bipolar wellness. Learn more about the next #TalkBD LIVE event at www.TalkBD.live