February 7, Noon-1PM CT
Child & Adolescent Bipolar Disorder and the Effects on Children in Schools
WI FACETS
Location: Free telephone access from home or work.
Speaker: Nanci Schiman, Program Manager of The Balanced Mind Foundation 
Description: This session provides an overview of mood disorders in children and adolescents, the biological basis of these illnesses as well as a discussion of treatments and therapeutic interventions. Education strategies and accommodations will also be addressed.

The best of news and research articles from publications nationwide, as selected by the The Balanced Mind Foundation, updated weekly.

The Balanced Mind Foundation's partner, Bring Change 2 Mind, a non-profit organization working to eliminate the stigma of mental illness, has exciting news to share with you.

This article was funded though a generous grant from the Charles E. Kubly Foundation.

The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approved use of Abilify for maintenance of bipolar disorder in 2005.  But a recent article published in the open access journal PLoS Medicine (Tsai, et al) looks critically at the science behind the decision to approve Abilify.  The results were one blind, randomized trial sponsored by the pharmaceutical company that makes Abilify, Bristol Meyers Squibb.  Article exposes flaws in trial to show we currently do not have enough evidence to know whether or not Abilify is effective in the maintenance of bipolar disorder.  Article also features step-by-step advice for people currently taking Abilify.

Silver from the CW's 90210 was recently diagnosed bipolar. A public service announcement aired, directing teens seeking help to visit thebalancedmind.org. This page was created for these visitors, and contains resources for teens and young adults who are bipolar, 'questioning', or just wanting to learn more.

Bullying is a common experience for many children and adolescents.  Surveys indicate that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and at least 10% are bullied on a regular basis. Read AACAP's Facts for Families on Bullying:

Education, Medication, and More

Harvard Student Shares Struggles with Depression (and Hope For Recovery)

Source: The Harvard Crimson

Harvard isn’t always the glossy ivy-covered utopia that many conceive it to be. "Brochure Harvard" does exist. But it is not always a place where conversations about mental health are necessarily encouraged. On a campus where the need for assistance is too often perceived as a flaw, the student body has a tendency to rely on variations of “I’m fine.”
(Read More)

This article lists The Balanced Mind Foundation's top 10 bestselling books on bipolar for February 2011.

Note: When you order any product from Amazon.com via the links in this article, The Balanced Mind Foundation receives between 4-7% of the purchase price.
Please consider supporting us with your shopping.

by Susan Resko, The Balanced Mind Foundation Executive Director