Jessica Stroup as "Erin Silver" in
the 90210 episode "Off the Rails"

Early in 2009, The Norman Lear Center contacted The Balanced Mind Foundation on behalf of the CW network. The teen hit, 90210 planned to weave bipolar disorder into several upcoming episodes. As Erin Silver headed into crisis, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the network knew that the confusion and helplessness of Erin, her parents, and peers would resonate with the teens at home. Many viewers would have questions and be in need of help. The Balanced Mind Foundation’s teen site, www.depressedteens.com/, was the CW network’s website of choice to send teens to for more information and support. 

Would The Balanced Mind Foundation be able to accommodate the tremendous increase in traffic to our website to provide the resources visiting teens needed? You bet!  In fact, thanks to our members, we raised over $3300 to provide a welcoming place for 90210 viewers.
 
The climatic episode aired on April 7th and The Balanced Mind Foundation’s teen website was featured in the subsequent public service announcement. Within minutes of airing, thousands of teens flocked to our website desperately seeking information and support. Over 167 teens reached out for help in the first week, joining trained The Balanced Mind Foundation staff and volunteers in chat and/or submitting their mental health questions to The Balanced Mind Foundation’s Response Team. Our staff and volunteers were up until the wee hours each night for several weeks supporting these teens with mood disorders. 

Our new teen pages have been viewed over 8,500 times since then. In response, we’ve instituted 6 weekly chats for teens, including one for siblings of diagnosed teens. We could not have done any of this without your help.

Mental health problems seriously impact teens and young adults. 90% of youth suicide victims had a major psychiatric disorder — most often bipolar disorder or depression. The Balanced Mind Foundation has the information and resources to help these teens connect their parents to accurate information about bipolar disorder so they can get the treatment and support they need; check them out and refer a teen in your life to www.depressedteens.com/.

90210 airs Tuesdays, 9/8 CT, on the CW Network.