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

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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Heather Stewart 🇨🇦

Sewist
 @heathersewist

 Lives with bipolar disorder

Diagnosed with Bipolar I 20 years ago, I can now be found #SewingWithBipolarDisorder most days

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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).

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. 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.

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!

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.

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.