The Bipolar Foundation Newsletter

Dear Kate, Jeremy and Helen,

My apologies for my summer silence. I hope all is very well with you all.

I wanted to update you as to how things were going with the International Bipolar Disorder Survey which your assistance has so significantly supported.

Since the UK launch we have now received more than 1300 completed questionnaires, making it already the largest dataset of its type.( Bigger than the US and prev European studies as well as much more comprehensive though have data allowing comparion too). We will shortly be having a specific launch by email to the large membership of the Mood Disorder Society of Canada and we will also have a similar very large launch based from the US. The survey is also shortly being translated into Spanish, for launch in collaboration with both Spanish and Latin American Colleagues. At this point it will be a truly massive resource and some of the comparisons possible interesting themselves.

I think the impact of this combined data (some of which is already very sobering) will be considerable, particularly if it is used well both from a public education point of view and to inform professionals widely of the real state of affairs and to help guide the development of elements of our programme.

We are already planning the analysis, dissemination and related publicity strategy around the results to maximize the impact and value.

It is also very encouraging that the feedback from those having completed the questionnaire is very positive. Of respondents so far:

“Do you think the survey takes a balanced approach to the problems of bipolar disorder?”  95%  YES

“After this experience, would you consider taking part in another survey or study designed by the Equilibrium team? “  98% YES

In addition some 1200 people have now joined the Bipolar In-Touch Network which is a vital resource base for us to build from, many of these as a direct result of the positive experience in participating in the survey.

We are in the process of preparing our first newsletter to send out to everyone in the network which as well as other features and news will include the opportunity in a project developing a new scale to facilitate doctor patient communication about  treatment related side-effect problems.

So, I hope you will see that already some very positive outcomes are arising from the project and your support of it.

We are now in the process of preparing to go ahead with the start of the first major 2 year foundation program  planned to start next year and are actively engaged in fundraising for this from a variety of sources. Felicity Bryan who is now a Trustee is coordinating a private fundraising program in parallel with our approaches to various corporates and other sources.

This is focused around ‘Psychoeducation’ for people recently diagnosed/identified as having bipolar disorder  and further education for professionals. Gratifyingly this area has been independently been identified as top priority in the education and research priority setting part of the International Survey by people with bipolar disorder themselves.

I do hope this brings you up to date with some of the things which are going on and is helpful to you. Once again, thank you for you co-operation on this which has been vital to the success so far.

I hope things are going well with you both and very much look forward to catching up with you in due course.

All best wishes,

Alan Ogilvie