The Biggest Bipolar Disorder Event on the Internet
For over 48 hours on Monday, March 30th 2026, the CREST.BD network will host the 8th annual “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) on Reddit in honour of World Bipolar Day!The 2026 “Ask Me Anything”
Starts 10:00am Pacific Time on March 30, 2026 (for more than 48 hours!)AMA LINK: https://reddit.com/r/IAmA (AMA post will be up on March 30th)!
Our 8th annual World Bipolar Day AMA is being held once again on r/IAmA on Reddit, a subreddit dedicated to question and answer events where anyone with a Reddit account can participate for free. Since 2019, these World Bipolar Day AMAs have fostered meaningful conversations not only between panelists and individuals living with bipolar disorder, but also with members of the broader bipolar disorder community – including family members, friends, and healthcare providers. During the event, our diverse team of researchers, clinicians, individuals with lived experience of bipolar disorder, and family members is coming together to answer questions about all aspects of bipolar disorder through our u/CREST_BD Reddit account.
Meet our team of panelists from around the world
Meet the international team bipolar disorder expertsfrom around the world were answering your questions from across multiple different time zones during this World Bipolar Day gathering:
- Dr. Adrienne Benediktsson, 🇨🇦 Neuroscientist, Mother, Wife, Professor, Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Alessandra Torresani, 🇺🇸 Actress & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Alex Emmerton, 🇨🇦 Peer Researcher, (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Allan Cooper, 🇨🇦 Peer Support Worker, Blogger, & Podcaster, (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Alysha Sultan, 🇨🇦 Scientific Associate
- Andrea Paquette, 🇨🇦 Stigma-Free Mental Health President & Co-Founder, Speaker, Changemaker (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Andrea Vassilev, 🇺🇸 Doctor of Psychology, Author, & Advocate, (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Anne Van Willigen, 🇺🇸 Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Balwinder Singh, 🇺🇸 Psychiatrist
- Dr. Benjamin Goldstein, 🇨🇦 Child-Adolescent Psychiatrist & Researcher
- Bia Garbato, 🇧🇷 Advertising Professional, Writer, Author & Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Bryn Manns, 🇨🇦 Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology
- Catarina Castela, 🇦🇺 PhD Candidate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Catherine Simmons, 🇨🇦 Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Chris Gorman, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Mental Health Advocate
- Dr. Colin Depp, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
- Dane Mauer-Vakil, 🇨🇦 Researcher
- David Dinham, 🇬🇧 Psychologist & PhD Candidate, (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Debbie Costello Smith, 🇺🇸 Founder & Co-President of the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research
- Dr. Delphine Raucher-Chéné, 🇫🇷🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Researcher
- Dr. Dimosthenis Tsapekos, 🇬🇧 Psychologist & Researcher
- Dr. Elvira Boere, 🇳🇱 Psychiatrist & Researcher
- Dr. Elysha Ringin, 🇦🇺 Researcher
- Dr. Emma Morton, 🇦🇺 Senior Lecturer & Psychologist
- Dr. Emma Parrish, 🇺🇸 Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow & Researcher
- Dr. Erin Michalak, 🇨🇦 Researcher & CREST.BD founder
- Evelyn Anne Clausen, 🇺🇸 Artist, Writer, Speaker & Certified Peer Specialist (Lives w/bipolar)
- Dr. Fabiano Gomes, 🇧🇷🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Researcher
- Dr. Frances Adiukwu, 🇳🇬 Psychiatrist
- Georgia Caruana, 🇦🇺 Researcher & Mental Health Advocate
- Dr. Georgina Hosang, 🇬🇧 Associate Professor
- Dr. Glauco Valdivieso Jiménez, 🇵🇪 Psychiatrist
- Dr. Glorianna Wagner-Jagfeld, 🇨🇭🇬🇧 Researcher
- Dr. Hailey Tremain, 🇦🇺 Psychologist & Resercher
- Heather Stewart, 🇨🇦 Sewist (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Idan Spund, 🇳🇱 Founder of In the Zone app (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Ijeoma Charles-Ugwuagbo, 🇳🇬 Consultant Psychiatrist & Mental Health Advocate
- Dr. Ivan Torres, 🇨🇦 Clinical Neuropsychologist
- Dr. Jim Phelps, 🇺🇸 Psychiatrist & Bipolar Subspecialist
- Dr. Joanna Jarecki, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Joanna Jiménez Pavón, 🇲🇽 Mood Disorders Psychiatrist
- Dr. John Hunter, 🇿🇦 Researcher & Lecturer (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Jo Leidreiter, 🇦🇺 Psychologist
- Dr. John-Jose Nunez, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & AI Researcher
- Dr. June Gruber, 🇺🇸 Psychologist, Professor, & Researcher
- Prof. Kamilla Miskowiak, 🇩🇰 Psychologist & Researcher
- Dr. Katie Douglas, 🇳🇿 Academic & Clinical Psychologist
- Ken Porter, 🇨🇦 Advocate, Social Worker & Researcher
- Kim Pape, 🇺🇸 Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Laura Lapadat, 🇨🇦 Researcher & Psychologist-in-training
- Dr. Leena Chau, 🇨🇦 Postdoctoral Fellow
- Leslie Robertson, 🇺🇸 Marketer & Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Leszek Laskowski, 🇵🇱 Psychiatrist (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Lisa Eyler, 🇺🇸 Clinical Psychologist & Research Scientist
- Dr. Luísa Daolio, 🇧🇷 Psychiatrist
- Mansoor Nathani, 🇨🇦 Technology Enthusiast (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona, 🇲🇽 Psychiatrist
- Maryam M., 🇨🇦 Dentistry Student & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Matthew Bushell, 🇬🇧 Mental Health Advocate & Therapeutic Coach (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Maya Schumer, 🇺🇸 Psychiatric Neuroscientist & Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Meghan DellaCrosse, 🇺🇸 Psychologist & Researcher
- Melissa Howard, 🇨🇦 Author & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Michele De Prisco, 🇪🇸🇮🇹 Psychiatrist & Researcher
- Dr. Mikaela Dimick, 🇨🇦 Postdoctoral Fellow
- Minami Kinouchi, 🇯🇵 Psychologist, Social Worker, & Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Natasha Reaney, 🇨🇦 Counsellor (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Nigila Ravichandran, 🇸🇬 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
- Dr. Paula Villela Nunes, 🇧🇷🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Counsellor
- Rahla Xenopoulos, 🇿🇦🇺🇸 Writer & Teacher (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Rebecca Fitton, 🇦🇺 Mood Disorder Researcher
- Dr. Rebekah Huber, 🇺🇸 Psychologist & Researcher
- Robert Villanueva, 🇺🇸 Mental Health Advocate & Coach (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Ruth Komathi, 🇸🇬 Mental Health Counsellor (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Prof. Samson Tse, 🇭🇰 Counsellor, Teacher, Researcher, & Caregiver
- Sarah Salice, 🇺🇸 Art Psychotherapist & Professional Counselor Associate (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Sara Schley, 🇺🇸 Author, Filmmaker, Speaker (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Serge Beaulieu, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Researcher
- Dr. Sheri Johnson, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
- Shaley Hoogendoorn, 🇨🇦 Advocate, Podcaster & Content creator (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Tamsyn Van Rheenen, 🇦🇺 Associate Professor & Researcher
- Dr. Thomas Richardson, 🇬🇧 Clinical Psychologist (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Twyla Spoke, 🇨🇦 Registered Nurse (Lives w/ bipolar)
- Dr. Wissam Nassrallah, 🇨🇦 Ophthalmology Resident & PhD in Neuroscience
Dr. Adrienne Benediktsson 🇨🇦
Neuroscientist, Mother, Wife, Professor, Mental Health Advocate talkBD.live/adrienne Lives with bipolar disorder I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Type I) while working on my Ph.D. in Neuroscience. I’ve since gone on to be a mom, a university professor, and have continued to raise awareness on how to live well with bipolar disorder. I also have a menagerie of animals and raise and train service dogs in my free time. Watch “Bipolar Neuroscientist” for Adrienne’s story : youtube.com/watch?v=7NQAT2MCBvk
Alessandra Torresani 🇺🇸
Actress & Mental Health Advocate talkBD.live/alessandra @alessandratorresani @emotionalsupportpod Lives with bipolar disorder I’m an actress and mental health advocate. I’ve appeared on the Big Bang Theory, American Horror Story, and Caprica! I’m also an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Health, and I host the EmotionAL Support podcast, where I talk with guests about mental health to break through stigma!
Alex Emmerton 🇨🇦
Peer Researcher Lives with bipolar disorder I was diagnosed with Bipolar II 16 years ago and Bipolar I 10 years ago, and have been episode-free for the past 7 years. I focus on long-term stability through prioritizing consistent routines, strong relationships, and regular exercise. I’m passionate about sharing practical strategies and real-world insights to support others navigating bipolar disorder.
Allan Cooper 🇨🇦
Peer Support Worker, Blogger, & Podcaster bipolarweekly.com @acooperwrites Podcast: The Bipolar Disorder Moment Lives with bipolar disorder I am a peer support worker, blogger and podcaster. I was a facilitator in a peer support group for people who have bipolar disorder for ten years. I currently work in a community psycho-educational program as well as a peer support worker at Cympact’s Calgary Respite suicide stabilization house.
Alysha Sultan 🇨🇦
Scientific Associate linkedin.com/in/alysha-sultan/ Alysha Sultan graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in pharmacology and toxicology. Alysha’s PhD focused on the neurostructural and neurofunctional correlates of cannabis use in youth with bipolar disorder. Alysha’s post-doctoral work built upon her PhD research and focused on cannabis-related genetic factors in this population. As a Scientific Associate Alysha has retained her focus on cannabis use in youth with bipolar disorder, extending the methodologic approaches to include epidemiologic research.
Andrea Paquette 🇨🇦
Stigma-Free Mental Health President & Co-Founder, Speaker, Changemaker stigmafreesociety.com bipolarbabe.com Lives with bipolar disorder Driven by a passion to combat mental health stigma and societal biases, Andrea shares her inspiring journey since her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2005, addressing diverse audiences across North America. As an acclaimed mental health activist, educator, facilitator, speaker, and published author, she has delivered her story at 850+ venues, including schools, workplaces, and community events, touching thousands with her message of hope.
Dr. Andrea Vassilev 🇺🇸
Psychotherapist, Doctor of Psychology, Author, Advocate andreavassilev.com @best.life.bipolar Lives with bipolar disorder I am a California-based private practice psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of bipolar as well as the author of the upcoming workbook “Beyond the Bipolar Label.” I am proud to serve the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) as a board member and on the psychological interventions task force. I have lived with bipolar for nearly 30 years and am an award-winning advocate for my community.
Anne Van Willigen 🇺🇸
Peer Researcher Lives with bipolar disorder I have over forty years lived experience with BD. I am dedicated to aging well with BD and use Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Social Rhythm Therapy and yoga and mindfulness to do so.
Dr. Balwinder Singh 🇺🇸
Psychiatrist mayoclinic.org/biographies/singh-balwinder Balwinder Singh, MD, MS, is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, specializing in mood disorders. His research focuses on bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression, with particular interest in ketamine and other novel therapeutics, lithium therapy, and its effects on thyroid and kidney function. His work emphasizes biomarker development, minimizing side effects, and optimizing clinical outcomes.
Dr. Benjamin Goldstein 🇨🇦
Psychiatrist & Researcher @bengoldstein73 / @CYBDatCAMH Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder linkedin.com/in/benjamin-goldstein Dr. Ben Goldstein is a child-adolescent psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto. He is Director of the Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder at CAMH. Dr. Goldstein’s efforts focus on bipolar disorder in youth. His team seeks to generate insights regarding the link between bipolar disorder and cardiovascular disorders, and to identify and implement innovative prevention and treatment strategies that focus simultaneously on physical and mental health.
Bia Garbato 🇧🇷
Advertising Professional, Writer, Author & Advocate @biagarbato Lives with bipolar disorder I am a Brazilian advertising professional, writer, and author of the book “Bipolar, Yes. Crazy? Only When I Feel Like It” (soon available in the US), in which I share, in a light and fun way, how I live with bipolar disorder and keep it under control. I am also an advocate for bipolar disorder awareness based on my lived experience, and my main goal is to show that bipolarity is not synonymous with craziness.
Bryn Manns 🇨🇦
Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology gruberpeplab.com I am a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder conducting research on emotions and positive emotion regulation in bipolar disorder. I am interested in better understanding the phenomenological experience of mania and how the sensations we experience in our bodies can influence how we regulate our emotions.
Catarina Castela 🇦🇺
PhD Candidate linkedin.com/in/catarinacastela-mmmet ledbyexperience.org comhwa.org.au/peer-support/listening-lounge/ Lives with bipolar disorder I am a PhD candidate at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. My research focuses on developing a quantitative method for analysing drawings to monitor mood and symptom fluctuation in bipolar disorder. Beyond my research, I co-designed The Listening Lounge, a mental health peer support group, and now serve on the advisory board. I am also a member of the Led by Experience research group.
Catherine Simmons 🇨🇦
Peer Researcher Lives with bipolar disorder As a person with lived experience I was diagnosed with bipolar I at the relatively late age of 34. Back then, 20 odd years ago, it was hard to find any information about the disorder and I was happy to become associated with CREST.BD group in the early days. Looking forward to contributing to this AMA with so many knowledgeable people!
Dr. Chris Gorman 🇨🇦
Psychiatrist & Mental Health Advocate @drchrisgorman1 Psychiatrist working with mood disorder/bipolar disorder patients, CAG member, husband, father, grandfather, swimmer
Dr. Colin Depp 🇺🇸
Psychologist psychiatry.ucsd.edu Hello! I am a professor at UC San Diego and a clinical psychologist. My research and clinical work focuses on suicide prevention, healthy aging, and cognitive health.
David Dinham 🇬🇧
Psychologist & PhD Candidate lancaster.ac.uk Lives with bipolar disorder My day job is working as a psychologist. I’m also a PhD candidate at Lancaster University, UK. I enjoy researching peer initiatives and more recently, risk-taking behaviour in bipolar. I have lived with bipolar for many years.
Debbie Costello Smith 🇺🇸
Founder & Co-President of the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research seancostellofund.org I am a healthcare professional with extensive clinical and executive experience, Upon the death of my son, I founded a nonprofit for bipolar research dedicated to the creative community. Sean was in treatment when he died of an accidental overdose.
Dr. Delphine Raucher-Chéné 🇫🇷🇨🇦
Clinician Researcher crispdouglas.ca mcgill.ca crestbd.ca/delphine linkedin.com/in/delphine-raucher-chéné Delphine Raucher-Chéné is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, a researcher at the Douglas Research Centre, and a psychiatrist at the Bipolar Disorders outpatient clinic. Her research focuses on the cognitive aspects of severe mental illness, using approaches ranging from neuroimaging to digital measurement-based care and cognitive remediation. Her work aims to improve understanding of cognitive difficulties in bipolar disorder and develop innovative interventions to support recovery and daily functioning.
Dr. Dimosthenis Tsapekos 🇬🇧
Psychologist & Researcher kcl.ac.uk/dimosthenis-tsapekos I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. My research focuses on neuropsychological assessment tools and psychological interventions targeting cognition and functional recovery in affective disorders.
Dr. Elvira Boere 🇳🇱
Psychiatrist & Clinical Researcher linkedin.com/in/elvira-boere I’m a psychiatrist and researcher interested in why treatments work well for many people but not for everyone. Using brain imaging (including lithium-related scans and fMRI), I study bipolar disorder with the goal of improving treatment choices and long-term stability.
Dr. Elysha Ringin 🇦🇺
Researcher I’m a researcher working with the Mood Psychosis Spectrum Research Group at the University of Melbourne. My research focuses on the link between cardiovascular health, lifestyle factors, and bipolar disorder, with a particular interested in how these these impact thinking skills.
Dr. Emma Morton 🇦🇺
Senior Lecturer, Psychologist talkBD.live/emma @morton_emm I am a Senior Lecturer (Teaching and Research) in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. My research focuses on improving quality of life in serious mental health conditions, psychological interventions, and digital mental health tools.
Dr. Emma Parrish 🇺🇸
Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow & Researcher I am a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. My research and clinical work focus on suicide prevention among individuals with serious mental illness, including those with bipolar disorder.
Dr. Erin Michalak 🇨🇦
Researcher & CREST.BD founder talkBD.live/erin @erin_michalak I’m the founder and Network Lead of CREST.BD, and Professor at UBC Psychiatry. My work focuses on enhancing quality of life and reducing stigma for people living with bipolar disorder.
Evelyn Anne Clausen 🇺🇸
Artist, Writer, Speaker, Certified Peer Specialist https://about.me/evelynanne Lives with bipolar disorder Evelyn Anne works as a Certified Peer Specialist-Mental Health in Georgia and speaks at events around the state to raise awareness of mental health recovery and peer support. She has written for various online publications about stigma, representation, and living with serious mental illness.
Dr. Fabiano Gomes 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Psychiatrist & Researcher @dr.fabianogomes I am an academic psychiatrist at the St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Mood Disorders Treatment and Research Clinic/ McMaster University, Canada, where I work with people living with mood disorders to promote their stability and quality of life.
Dr. Frances Adiukwu 🇳🇬
Psychiatrist @franadiukwu Dr. Frances Nkechi Adiukwu is a psychiatrist and clinical researcher with a strong focus on bipolar disorder. She is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (Faculty of Psychiatry) and a member of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. She serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mental Health at the University of Port Harcourt, where her research centers on bipolar disorder. Clinically, she is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where she leads the Mood Disorder Unit. Dr. Adiukwu completed a research fellowship in bipolar disorder at the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program in Ann Arbor, USA. She is also a member of the Pan-African Chapter of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). She is the Principal Investigator of the Bipolar Disorder Longitudinal Study in Nigeria (BiDiLoS-Ng) and is a dedicated advocate for promoting optimal living with bipolar disorder, as well as reducing stigma associated with the condition across Nigeria and Africa.
Georgia Caruana 🇦🇺
Researcher & Mental Health Advocate linktr.ee/gfcaruana I am a researcher and mental health advocate from The University of Melbourne, Australia. My work explores inter-relationships between cognition, the brain, and biological processes such as inflammation and aging in bipolar disorder. I am super passionate about multidisciplinary research and empowering lived experiences voices in our study designs.
Dr. Georgina Hosang 🇬🇧
Associate Professor Linkedin qmul.ac.uk/wiph/people/profiles/hosang-georgina.html I am an Associate Professor at Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary, University of London (UK). My research focuses on the impact of life stress (childhood trauma and recent life events) on the onset and course (including physical health outcomes) of bipolar disorder. I am also interested in the developmental pathway from adolescent hypomania to bipolar disorder. Recently, I have begun work examining ethnic differences in bipolar disorder.
Dr. Glauco Valdivieso Jiménez 🇵🇪
Psychiatrist @dr.valdivieso.psiquiatria @glaucovald Glauco Valdivieso is a psychiatrist specializing in personality disorders and emotional dysregulation, with clinical expertise at Mood Discordes. He serves as Head of the Mental Health Unit at Hospital Villa El Salvador, is co-founder of the Peruvian Institute for the Study and Comprehensive Approach to Personality, and is affiliated with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). He is also a university lecturer and has contributed to international conferences such as WPA and ISSPD.
Dr. Glorianna Wagner-Jagfeld 🇨🇭🇬🇧
Researcher linkedin.com/in/organizationtalent In my PhD research, I developed a model of personal recovery in bipolar disorder called POETIC based on the lived experience shared on Reddit. While my focus has shifted to nursing research in my professional life, I still come back as AMA panelist to delve into the current bipolar research to answer questions from the community.
Dr. Hailey Tremain 🇦🇺
Psychologist & Researcher experts.swinburne.edu.au/2610-hailey-tremain I am a clinical psychologist and researcher, focused on improving psychological interventions for bipolar disorder, and on digital mental health.
Heather Stewart 🇨🇦
Sewist @heathersewist Lives with bipolar disorder Diagnosed with Bipolar I 20 years ago, I can now be found #SewingWithBipolarDisorder most days
Idan Spund 🇳🇱
Founder of In the Zone app linkedin.com/in/idanspund/ Lives with bipolar disorder I’m Idan, living with Bipolar I since 2009. I facilitate a peer support group in Amsterdam and building In The Zone to help people living with bipolar and their loved ones.
Dr. Ijeoma Charles-Ugwuagbo 🇳🇬
Consultant Psychiatrist & Mental Health Advocate linkedin.com/in/ijeoma-charles Dr. Ijeoma Charles-Ugwuagbo is a Consultant Psychiatrist and mental health advocate with a strong focus on bipolar disorder awareness, research, and care. Her work centers on improving mental health education, reducing stigma, and supporting individuals living with bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions. She actively engages in public discussions and professional initiatives that promote better understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder.
Dr. Ivan Torres 🇨🇦
Clinical Neuropsychologist UBC Mood Disorders BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services talkBD.live/ivan I am a Clinical Professor in the Psychiatry Department at the University of British Columbia, and a practicing clinical neuropsychologist. My research interests involve the investigation of objective and subjective cognitive functioning in people with mood and psychosis symptoms.
Dr. Jim Phelps 🇺🇸
Psychiatrist & Bipolar Subspecialist DepressionEducation.org YouTube: PsychEducation BrainStorm Podcast My wife says I’m not retired, as I have several large bipolar education projects underway. But I do have more time to indulge my pickleball habit and play with Lucy dog!
Dr. Joanna Jarecki 🇨🇦
Psychiatrist & Advocate talkBD.live/joanna Lives with bipolar disorder I am a Psychiatrist with lived experience with Bipolar I. Through my own recovery journey and my work as a Psychiatrist over the last 10 years, I have learned that individuals with BD can live healthy and meaningful lives, and that there are important factors that can help to achieve great outcomes. My passion is sharing this with others so that people with this condition can thrive and reach their fullest potential.
Dr. Joanna Jiménez Pavón 🇲🇽
Mood Disorders Psychiatrist @bipolarologa I am a psychiatrist specializing in mood disorders, currently working in the Department of Affective Disorders of the National Institute of Psychiatry in Mexico. In addition, I collaborate with the Broad Institute and the Stanley Center, where I investigate genetics of bipolar disorder in Latin Americans. I like video games, board games, and cats.
Dr. John Hunter 🇿🇦
Researcher & Lecturer johnhunterphd.com Lives with bipolar disorder Dr. John Hunter is a South African researcher and lecturer, based in Johannesburg. His interest in large group awareness trainings (LGATs) – and their impact on mood and psychosis – is grounded in his personal experience of bipolar disorder and his participation in an LGAT in 2010. In 2017, he completed a Ph.D. in psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, proposing a neurobiological explanation for the relationship between LGAT conditions and results (hypomanic/manic-like states). In 2022, Dr. Hunter published an article explaining this work in the Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion (Hunter, 2022), in July 2023 he presented this work at the annual International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) conference in Louisville, Kentucky, and in June 2024 acted as an expert witness in a United States federal court regarding the use of LGATs in the Troubled Teen Industry. Dr. Hunter’s first book, Manufacturing Mania: The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience, is complete and is now available.
Dr. Jo Leidreiter 🇦🇺
Psychologist mybipolartherapy.com joleidreiter.com @the_bipolar_psychologist @mybipolartherapy The Bipolar Psychologist, I am passionate about delivering psychosocial treatment for Bipolar Disorder through my clinical practice and digital platform @MyBipolarTherapy
Dr. John-Jose Nunez 🇨🇦
Psychiatrist & AI Researcher nunez-comp-mental-health-cancer-care.github.io/ I’m a psychiatrist and researcher at UBC Mood Disorders and BC Cancer. For my research, I use artificial intelligence tools like machine learning and natural language processing to help improve mental health, with a focus on mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder.
Dr. June Gruber 🇺🇸
Psychologist, Professor, & Researcher gruberpeplab.com June Gruber is a professor and researcher who conducts research on emotions and bipolar disorder. She is interested in better understanding experiences of positive emotion and general mental well-being, and has done recent work on young adults at risk for bipolar disorders.
Prof. Kamilla Miskowiak 🇩🇰
Psychologist & Researcher nead.dk Kamilla Miskowiak is a clinical professor and researcher in cognitive neuropsychiatry. Her research focuses on cognitive impairment, such as memory and planning difficulties, across psychiatric conditions, with a particular emphasis on mood disorders. She leads translational work integrating clinical, neurobiological, and digital approaches to improve the assessment and treatment of cognitive impairment and to promote daily functioning, quality of life and recovery.
Dr. Katie Douglas 🇳🇿
Academic & Clinical Psychologist otago.ac.nz @KMD_research I am a clinical researcher at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. I run a stream of research developing and testing novel psychological and cognitive interventions for people with bipolar disorder, to help long-term recovery.
Ken Porter 🇨🇦
Advocate, Social Worker & Researcher linktr.ee/mdsc @kenporter777 I am a son, brother, father and grandfather of a family impacted by BP1 & BP2 that has given me unique insights into its impact. My own lived experience with depression & anxiety fuels my passion as a progressive advocate bridging mental health and innovation for better solutions. I am a lived experience advocate, social worker, mental health project director and researcher.
Kim Pape 🇺🇸
Researcher Lives with bipolar disorder I work at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Colorado Boulder on research involving healthy lifestyles and positive emotion dysregulation in bipolar disorder. My lived experience with bipolar I has inspired my interest in improving early detection and interventions. Through my work, I want to better understand the impact of mood episodes on identity and self-concept.
Laura Lapadat 🇨🇦
Researcher & Psychologist-in-training Laura is a PhD Candidate at McGill University. She has worked with CREST.BD for over 10 years in bipolar disorder research, and now studies binge-type eating disorders under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Racine at McGill University. Laura’s research interests include bipolar disorder, binge eating, and collaborative approaches that work in partnership with people with lived experience of mental health conditions.
Dr. Leena Chau 🇨🇦
Postdoctoral Fellow I’m a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC working on culturally adapting the PolarUs BD app into additional languages (French, Chinese, and Spanish). My background is in digital and global mental health, and I’m passionate about making mental health tools more accessible across cultures.
Leslie Robertson 🇺🇸
Marketer & Peer Researcher Lives with bipolar disorder Leslie is a digital marketer and devoted cat mom. Besides managing her bipolar disorder, she also lives with multiple comorbid conditions and has knowledge about navigating affordable healthcare in the US. In the last few years, she has committed to daily wellness practices and enjoys gamifying her healthy habits.
Dr. Leszek Laskowski 🇵🇱
Psychiatrist psychiatrzy.warszawa.pl Lives with bipolar disorder I’m a psychiatrist based in Warsaw, Poland, leading the bipolar disorder program within an outpatient clinic. Living with bipolar II myself, I speak from both clinical expertise and personal experience. I use this space to challenge stigma, share real insights, and advocate for honest conversations about mental health.
Dr. Lisa Eyler 🇺🇸
Clinical Psychologist & Research Scientist psychiatry.ucsd.edu I am a Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, and I study how people age with bipolar disorder. I am part of several research consortia, including as a site PI for the Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder Integrated Network, co-lead for the Global Aging and Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder (GAGE-BD) group, and member of the ENIGMA-BD global neuroimaging consortium and the Global Bipolar Cohort group.
Dr. Luísa Daolio 🇧🇷
Psychiatrist @luisapsiquiatra @ludaolio I am an adult psychiatrist in Brazil with special interest in Bipolar Disorder. I study lifestyle interventions and the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry.
Mansoor Nathani 🇨🇦
Over 25 years of Lived Experience with Bipolar 1 LinkedIn Lives with bipolar disorder Mansoor Nathani is an internet evangelist at the world’s largest wholesale domain registrar, where he champions the open and accessible web. His work reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of the internet to connect people and empower communities worldwide. He also lives openly with Bipolar Disorder, viewing it not as a disability but as a part of who he is — one that doesn’t define or limit his drive and contributions to the industry.
Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona 🇲🇽
Psychiatrist talkBD.live/manuel bipolarhistory.com Manuel is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, at the Anahuac University Mexico City and founder of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Mexican Chapter. He is past president of the ISBD and has over 25 years of clinical experience in the treatment of mood disorders.
Maryam M. 🇨🇦
Dentistry Student & Mental Health Advocate @budsbecoming Lives with bipolar disorder I am a graduating dentistry student who has learned to navigate & balance the workload of professional school and a marriage while managing a chronic health condition. I also love spending time outdoors, photography & reading biographies!
Matthew Bushell 🇬🇧
Mental Health Advocate & Therapeutic Coach @yourbipolarcoach 5th.place/matthew-bushell Lives with bipolar disorder Advocate, writer and speaker supporting people with Bipolar Disorder through lived experience, open dialogue, peer support, emotional fitness and therapeutic coaching.
Dr. Maya Schumer 🇺🇸
Psychiatric Neuroscientist & Researcher @SchumerMaya @mayaschumer.bsky.social (BlueSky) linkedin.com/in/maya-schumer-phd Research on Google Scholar Lives with bipolar disorder I am a psychiatric neuroscientist and postdoctoral research fellow in psychiatry at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School studying bipolar disorder. My research uses neuroimaging and complex systems frameworks to identify neural networks underlying mania and mixed states to model the dynamic nature of bipolar. I also live with bipolar 1 disorder and use my lived experience to break stigma and advocate for coproduced research. Have used a ketogenic diet, IV ketamine, accelerated TMS and lithium to stabilize my bipolar.
Dr. Meghan DellaCrosse 🇺🇸
Psychologist & Researcher Linkedin psychedelicpublichealth.org I am a licensed psychologist and researcher specializing in psychedelic science, serious mental illness, and bipolar disorder. In addition to working with therapy clients, I serve as a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Psychedelic Public Health, a mentor in the MIND Foundation Augmented Psychotherapy training program, and a qualitative research consultant at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. My work explores subjective experience, safety, integration, and body-mind relationships in mental health care through trauma-informed and culturally responsive lenses.
Melissa Howard 🇨🇦
Author & Mental Health Advocate @mindful_movement_for_mania Lives with bipolar disorder Melissa is the author of Mental(ish): A Memoir of Insanity and the Search for Stability. She is a mental health blogger with the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) and peer mentor for Postpartum International (PSI).
Dr. Michele De Prisco 🇪🇸🇮🇹
Psychiatrist & Researcher linkedin.com/in/michele-de-prisco Hi! I’m Michele De Prisco, a psychiatrist and researcher based at Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and IDIBAPS (Spain). I work mainly on bipolar disorder and depression, with a particular interest in how emotional processes influence the course of these conditions. I’m deeply involved in science communication, and I enjoy sharing research through talks, podcasts, and informal discussions to make mental health knowledge more accessible.
Dr. Mikaela Dimick 🇨🇦
Postdoctoral Fellow camh.ca Mikaela Dimick has a BSc in psychology and behavioral science from McGill University. She recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in pharmacology and toxicology. Mikaela’s research focuses on examining suicide risk in youth with bipolar disorder, specifically by examining neuroimaging and neurocognitive phenotypes associated with self-harm. Her research aims to reduce suicide risk among youth with bipolar disorder by understanding biological mechanisms to inform personalized medicine and therapeutic approaches. Mikaela enjoys working at CYBD as the research findings reduce stigma and instill hope for our patients and families.
Minami Kinouchi 🇯🇵
Psychologist, Social Worker, & Researcher shinrikyoiku.com @minamikiouchi linkedin.com/in/minamikinouchi youtube.com/@shinrikyoiku Lives with bipolar disorder Hi everyone, I’m Minami from Japan. I’m a PhD candidate, a mental health professional, and someone living with bipolar disorder. I’m also running an NPO providing online psychoeducation for people with bipolar disorder and their families. I’m happy to share both professional and lived-experience perspectives — really glad to be here!
Natasha Reaney 🇨🇦
Counsellor emotivealchemy.ca Lives with bipolar disorder I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor working in Victoria, BC, Canada and I live well with my bipolar.
Dr. Nigila Ravichandran 🇸🇬 🇨🇦
Psychiatrist talkbd.live/nigila crestbd.ca/nigila Dr. Nigila Ravichandran is a Consultatant psychiatrist in Alberta and providing clinical care to patients in the community and in the hospital inpatient and emergency settings. Prior to that she was a senior consultant psychiatrist in Singapore providing clinical care to patients attending emergency services. She mentors and teaches junior medical staff and students and is actively involved in taking mental health awareness to the community and regularly gives talks on radio, television, in public events and is currently also producing videos about child mental health together with a paediatrician friend. She is open to explore opportunities to take mental health awareness into the community in Canada too.
Dr. Paula Villela Nunes 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Psychiatrist LinkedIn orcid.org/0000-0001-5323-2110 Psychiatrist from Brazil, researcher at the University of British Columbia, Canada. ISBD member, chair of the task force for older adults.
Rahla Xenopoulos 🇿🇦🇺🇸
Writer & Teacher rahlaxenopoulos.com Lives with bipolar disorder Rahla is a writer and teacher. She has written four novels and a memoir. Her memoir, A Memoir of Love and Madness, is about living with bipolar disorder. She teaches creative writing and has taught in South Africa, America., Greece and the UK
Rebecca Fitton 🇦🇺
Mood Disorder Researcher LinkedIn I am a researcher at the Centre of Research Excellence in Bipolar Disorder (CORE-BD) in Melbourne, Australia. My main research focuses on the body clock, psychiatric treatment, and lifestyle-based interventions in serious mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder.
Dr. Rebekah Huber 🇺🇸
Psychologist & Researcher ohsu.edu Mood Disorder Investigations Throughout Neurodevelopment (MIND) Lab I’m a licensed psychologist and a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Center for Mental Health Innovation at Oregon Health & Science University. My research aims to inform evidence-based care and suicide prevention in youth with bipolar disorder.
Robert “Coach V” Villanueva 🇺🇸
Mental Health Advocate & Coach speakingbeyondstigma.org bipolarinthebay.com Lives with bipolar disorder My goal is simple: to make it easier for people to talk openly, ask questions, and see bipolar disorder as something that can be managed, not hidden. Retired Garbageman, High School Coach, Researcher, Mexican American. Watch “Bipolar in the Bay” for Robert’s story : youtu.be/0NehkAjWm9Q
Ruth Komathi 🇸🇬
Mental Health Counsellor Lives with bipolar disorder I am mental health counsellor and a mental health advocate. I am motivated to keep active and eat well as it has been a tool for me to stay well. I enjoy learning and exploring different perspectives to navigate life – especially the days that I am unmotivated! l I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences, and hearing yours too!
Prof. Samson Tse 🇭🇰
Counsellor, Teacher, Researcher, & Caregiver orcid.org/0000-0001-9003-1086 Passionate about strengths‑based recovery for people with bipolar and addiction challenges, especially gambling; I bring practical, culturally sensitive support.
Sarah Salice 🇺🇸
Art Psychotherapist & Licensed Professional Counselor Associate LinkedIn dbsalliance.org Lives with bipolar disorder Sarah Salice, MPS, ATR-BC, CLAT, LPCA, CGP is a registered, Board-Certified, & Licensed Art Therapist, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, and a Certified Group Psychotherapist in Connecticut. She currently works at Silver Hill Hospital. She serves as the president of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Associate Board. She is also the co-founder and co-leader of the Mood Pros Society through DBSA. Sarah has been living with Bipolar Disorder for over 20 years. She is passionate about advocacy, education, research, reducing the stigma, and art.
Sara Schley 🇺🇸
Author, Filmmaker & Activist saraschley.com / brainstormthefilm.com @brainstormthefilm LinkedIn Lives with bipolar disorder Sara Schley is the author of BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum and co-creator of the documentary film BrainStorm, inspired by her book. Sara has lived with Bipolar II for over forty years and finally chose to tell her story to save lives, end stigma, and promote healing for all who live with bipolar and those and their loved ones. Emerging from the shame and stigma, Sara is now a proud activist on behalf of the bipolar community.
Dr. Serge Beaulieu 🇨🇦
Psychiatrist & Researcher mcgill.ca I am a psychiatrist, researcher, and Medical Chief of the Bipolar Disorders Program at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. For over 40 years, I have been committed to treating and researching how to better understand the biological and environmental factors of bipolar disorders, with the goal of identifying them to improve and develop better treatments. Currently, my team is concentrating our efforts in a longitudental study investigating sleep patterns in Bipolar Disorder, as well as several clinical trials investigating the efficacy of different treatments in improving Bipolar depression. My main objective is to better understand bipolar disorders from the epidemiological, biological, chemical, psychological, social and genetic points of view.
Shaley Hoogendoorn 🇨🇦
Advocate, Podcaster & Content creator @this.is.bipolar thisisbipolar Podcast Lives with bipolar disorder Shaley Hoogendoorn is a speaker, content creator and mental health advocate who aims to dismantle the stigma around mental illness and create a safe community for those that struggle. She lives with bipolar ll, and is passionate about educating and empowering others about mental health disorders. She has contributed to publications for Sanctuary Ministries, Psych Central and BP Hope magazine. She hosted a series interviewing women living with mental illnesses at SheLoves Magazine in a series named “Sisters in Mental Illness.” Shaley currently hosts “This is Bipolar” vlog and podcast. Shaley is also an elementary school teacher and an event planner.
Dr. Sheri Johnson 🇺🇸
Psychologist calm.berkeley.edu I run the Cal Mania (CALM) program at UC Bekeley. We’re dedicated to using research to help folks find stability. We’re currently running studies (which can be done online) on daily rhythms (when is your power hour?) and healthy lifestyles as an adjunct to medication for bipolar disorder.
Dr. Tamsyn Van Rheenen 🇦🇺
Associate Professor & Researcher tamsynvanrheenen.com I am an Associate Professor and Head of the Mood-Psychosis Spectrum Group in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne in Australia. My research aims to understand cognitive functions (thinking skills like memory, attention, planning etc) in mental health conditions, particularly bipolar disorder, and understand why some people experience difficulties with these functions.
Dr. Thomas Richardson 🇬🇧
Clinical Psychologist southampton.ac.uk @DrTomRichardson @DrTomRichardson Lives with bipolar disorder Thomas is a clinical psychologist and CBT therapist. He is an associate professor of clinical psychology at the university of southampton, UK. He has lived experience of bipolar disorder.
Twyla Spoke 🇨🇦
Registered Nurse Lives with bipolar disorder I’m a Registered Nurse from a critical care background, now in Heart Failure management. I am also a mom of 3 very busy, amazing kiddos. Some of the “little things” that bring happiness these days are sunsets, coffee, conversations with friends, and poetry. Although it came late, my diagnosis of bipolar still brought clarity, and hope. I’m grateful for opportunities to hear from of people living their lives fully while managing this very complex condition. I’m also excited to be an AMA panelist again this year!
Dr. Wissam Nassrallah 🇨🇦
Ophthalmology Resident & PhD in Neuroscience I’m an ophthalmology resident with a PhD in neuroscience. I bring both clinical and personal insight via interactions with individuals living with bipolar disorder. Outside of medicine, I enjoy building computers, martial arts, weightlifting, and singing.What is World Bipolar Day
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