My Support Newsletter, December 2024

Dear International Bipolar,

As 2024 draws to a close, join us in reflecting on and celebrating all our achievements—big and small—while we continue to build strength and wellness together!


Wishing you a joyous holiday season and know that every day we are with you, wherever you are on your journey!


To your health,

Debbie Shaeffer

Executive Director

Holiday Resources for Difficult Times

Webinar: 6 Tips to Survive and Thrive During the Holidays


Webinar: It’s The Most Bipolar Time of the Year: Winter Blues and Holiday Highs


Blog: How To Stress Less Even When The Holidays Are Hard



Blog: Navigating Communication During The Holidays




More Holiday Blogs

Mental Health Awareness Patch Program

Thank YOU, Troop 21604 for learning about the brain and the impact it has on our mental health.

Participate!

Upcoming Webinar

Learn More & Register

IBPF Assist

Do you have an unanswered question?


IBPF Assist can help!



Ask your ? *here *

Latest Webinars

Little data exists on the efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine as potential treatments for bipolar depression. In a small sample of patients with bipolar depression treated off-label with ketamine or esketamine, the response and remission rates were 39% and 13%, respectively. This webinar discusses recent findings in the use ketamine and eskatamine to treat bipolar depression.

Watch

Special needs trusts can be a great tool to ensure the quality of life when it comes to assisting a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder. One of the greatest factors about whether a special needs trust will be effective is the choice of a management team. This presentation focuseson management options including the use of advisory committees, trust protectors, care management and different options for professional trustees.

Watch

Carlsbad 2025

Volunteer

January 19, 2025

We want to see you!


We invite you to meet-up with IBPF, mental health advocates, and individuals with lived experience at the Carlsbad Marathon! Join us at our ocean view volunteer tent as we support the runners, make new friends, and promote mental health awareness together. It’s an early morning event so we will have plenty of coffee and bagels! Learn more about the Carlsbad Marathon here.


New On the Blog

I Used to Not Trust Anyone with My Struggles: Here's What I Learned

You'd Be Surprised at What You Can Accomplish

Self-Acceptance After Experiencing Depressive Psychosis

Bipolar Disorder and My Chronic Job Hopping

All Blogs!

In the News & In Print

Why Media Representation of Bipolar Disorder Matters

Fitbit Data Accurately Predicts Bipolar Mood Swings

SAD-How Light Therapy Can Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder

Pre-order!

More or Less Maddy

by Lisa Genova


Stay tuned for details about our February webinar with Lisa Genova

A breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.


Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out freshman at NYU. Between schoolwork, exams, navigating life in the city, and a recent breakup, it’s normal to be feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t help that she’s always felt like the odd one out in her picture-perfect Connecticut family. But Maddy’s latest low is devastatingly low, and she goes on an antidepressant. She begins to feel good, dazzling in fact, and she soon spirals high into a wild and terrifying mania that culminates in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.



Latest Faces of Hope and Recovery

Something I’m proud of is beating the negative stereotypes of taking medication for a mental illness and being diagnosed. My family is considered headstrong so mental health was brushed aside sometimes. Leading up to my diagnosis I had 3 hospitalizations and it was third one that finally made me realize that I had to start advocating for myself.


Read more.

And most importantly I’ve learned that our disabilities are not a weakness, they are obstacles, and every day that we live and thrive is a testament to our strength. In the two years since that hospitalization I’ve built the foundation for a career in research, formed a loving community, and set myself down the path towards self actualization.


Read more.

We will be making progresses and even setbacks as we traverse the path of recovery. It may be difficult, but that bright light at the end of the tunnel makes everything an everyday learning and appreciation to a lot of things, and that includes ourselves.


Read more.

Mental illness has shaped me into the person I am today, and I now recognize that being different is my greatest asset in life. I use my light to spark hope in others, even on my darkest days. I never gave up—I found something positive in every negative moment and turned my journey into a book helping many others. 


Read more.

All Faces of Hope and Recovery

Blue Envelope Program

San Diego County is proud to offer the Blue Envelope Program, along with many additional counties. The program is designed to promote inclusivity and serve as an enhanced communication awareness tool between law enforcement and community members diagnosed with a condition or disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, dementia, anxiety or other conditions, including bipolar disorder, that might require additional accommodations or awareness during a law enforcement interaction.

Check your community for availability!


Get your Blue Envelope Materials at our office in San Diego, CA!

Email info@ibpf.org to coordinate an appointment.

Learn More

We want to hear from you!

Your questions, challenges, and feedback will help shape the content of our blog and education articles, so please reach out to info@ibpf.org to request a featured topic.

eBay for Charity has partnered with the PayPal Giving Fund to make it easy for sellers to donate 10% to 100% (or as low as 1% for eBay Motors vehicles) of your item's final sale price to a certified charity. Choose IBPF as your charity and make an impact!
Shop with CouponBirds.com to save, earn cash and support International Bipolar Foundation on The Seedling Project. You can find coupon codes from thousands of popular retailers like Walmart, Vans, BestBuy and Amazon.

IBPF is proud to be part of Ralphs Community Rewards program. We encourage you to participate by linking your rewards card to IBPF. Community Rewards is an easy way to make an impact on the mental illness community! The more you shop with us, the more money IBPF will earn!

Support us with PayPal Giving Fund; there are no fees and we receive 100% of your donation!


Support us with a debit or credit card and choose between a monthly or one time donation!


THANK YOU!

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