The group meetings are open to anyone with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and carers/friends.

If you are interested in taking part could you please contact Dr Sussmann on 0131 537 6289 or e-mail jess.sussmann@ed.ac.uk

Bipolar Scotland are running a seminar on Perinatal Services for women who have experienced mental health problems during/after pregnancy. The event will take place on Friday 16 April 2010, at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, 201 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1DQ, 2pm – 4pm (registration from 1.30pm).

Speakers will include Dr Roch Cantwell, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and Dr Fiona Murray, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, St John’s Hospital, Livingston.

To book a place please contact Tilda on 0141 560 2050, or e-mail info@bipolarscotland.org.uk with contact details.

Jacqueline has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and her book was primarily written to allow those closest to the author to understand what goes on in her head when she is having an episode of hypo-mania and depression. The book is filled with funny anecdotes, thought provoking statements and some poetry thrown in for good measure.

To purchase this book please click on http://chipmunkapublishing.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1552

Research project – Lancaster University
We are a team of researchers working at Lancaster University working on a study that aims to develop and test a new free to access web-based self management intervention for people experiencing Bipolar Disorder.
There are 2 parts to this study in which we need your help:
1. We are looking for participants to take part in 3 focus groups at Lancaster University to inform the development of the web based self management intervention.
2. We are looking for participants to take part in a trial to test the clinical effectiveness of the web based self management intervention once we have developed it.
If you:
• Are aged over 18 years.
• Have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.
• Live within the UK (or the North West of England and are willing to travel to Lancaster University for the focus groups – travel expenses will be paid).
We would really like to hear from you!
This project has received full ethical clearance from the Division of Health Research Ethics Committee at Lancaster University.
For more information about the study and to register your interest in either parts, visit: www.livingwithbipolar.co.uk. or Contact: Nicholas Todd Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research Institute of Health Research School of Health and Medicine Lancaster University LA1 4YT, or e-mail: n.todd@lancaster.ac.uk Telephone: (01524) 593 756

Scottish Mental Health Research Network
A new research body called the Scottish Mental Health Research Network has been recently formed. SMHRN are looking for people who experience mental ill health and carers/friends to volunteer for research into the causes of mental ill health. The Mental Health Research Register will connect researchers from respected research institutions with volunteers from the general public who are willing and interested in participating in research projects.

The Register provides an opportunity for people living with mental illness, and their relatives and friends, to make a valuable contribution to important research in this area.

We are looking for the following people to join the Mental Health Research Register:

People with mental illness
Relatives of people with mental illness
People who do not have mental illness

If you would like to register as a volunteer, or would like more information, please either telephone Dr Andrew McIntosh on 0131 537 6274, or e-mail him on, andrew.mcintosh@ed.ac

Bipolar Disorder Research Network
The Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) is a group of researchers and research participants undertaking a major study at investigating the underlying causes of bipolar disorder. The research is being conducted by Prof Nick Craddock’s Mood Disorders Research Team based at the University of Cardiff and the University of Birmingham.

If you experience bipolar disorder and would like to take part in this research project, or would like to find out more information about the project, please contact the research team on 02920 744392, or e-mail: moodresearch@ed.ac

As soon as we have put together a programme of courses they will be listed on this page.

As Stacey Slater she portrays a young woman with bipolar disorder. Lacey Turner says she had never heard of the illness before her character developed it. “There were some days when it was hard.
You’re either really down because you’ve been doing scenes where you’ve been down all day or you’re really hyper so you don’t know when you leave work whether you’re going to want to bounce off the walls or go straight to bed.”

Script writers worked very closely with experts in the field to ensure they portrayed the illness realistically.

If you would like more information on bipolar disorder please contact Bipolar Scotland on 0141 560 2050.

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