STEPHEN FRY

Katy Sara here: to sign up if you want at: http://www.bipolar-foundation.org/mod_product/register.aspx?o=1288

WELCOME TO THE FIRST NEWSLETTER OF 2010

We are delighted that you are reading this. For us it means that you are interested in what we continue to plan to do together.

In terms of our plans, the crash and recession commencing in September 2008 had significant implications. At that point we had confirmation of a three-year period of funding support from a private trust and were waiting for agreement about the final level of support. Unfortunately immediately after the stock market crash the funders were forced to delay decisions and have not been able to make any firm commitments yet.

In addition to this specific case the crash suddenly made fundraising from usual sources a particular challenge.

Despite this, at the start of January we filed our annual report for the year ending in January 2009 with considerable achievements recorded. A link to the summary of our achievements is available in this newsletter.

We would invite all of you who read this newsletter to consider how you may be able to continue to support the work of Equilibrium- we have so many more opportunities to make a difference to people affected by Bipolar Disorder. 
Our online donation page, is active and easy to use.

In the coming year we need to continue to develop and update our website to be able to keep it up to date and leading edge.

To implement our plans for psycho education of those recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

To develop our international links

We hope you will find the news items below interesting and informative and wish you well in the next twelve months.

We particularly desire support:

* to continue to develop and update our website be able to keep it up to date and leading edge.
* implement our plans for psychoeducation of those recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
* develop our international links
* supporting research regarding diagnosis and treatment

We would be most grateful if you can forward this newsletter to anyone you think may have an interest.

We hope you will find the news items below interesting and informative and wish you well in the next twelve months.

Alan Ogilvie on behalf of the Equilibrium team
International
Bipolar Execution Follow-up

On the 29th of December, Akmal Shaik's attempt to launch his song 'Come Little Rabbit' in China ended with his execution. New information suggests that the Chinese judiciary ignored expert advice from a Chinese expert panel which had advised a psychological/psychiatric assessment of the man who there was strong suspicion suffered from bipolar disorder which may have impaired his judgement leading to his drug smuggling offence. The tragic case epitomises as an extreme example the way those affected by mental disorder such as bipolar disorder may suffer very severe consequences from lack of public understanding of the nature and consequences of mental illness:

[More]
Media
45% discount on ' Stephen Fry's the Secret Life of the Manic-Depressive' DVD

Launching on DVD on 8th of February - must pre-order by 8th of February for Exclusive 45% discount on DVD of Stephen Fry’s two part documentary “the Secret Life of the Manic-Depressive” appeared on the BBC in 2006, and has won an International Emmy Award. £8.99 instead of £15.99.
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Special Announcement
Experience the International Bipolar Disorder Conference Now Online

Experience the 2009 International Bipolar Disorder Conference with almost full video content, audio and slides. Made available via the University of Pittsburgh. A feast of the latest knowledge... [More]
Equilibrium News
Hugh Grant backs Bipolar Disorder Experience Website

The British actor Hugh Grant is backing a new health advice website that encourages patients to share their stories. Equilibrium has been approached to work together on a unique project documenting the experiences of people with bipolar disorder. Hugh Grant has been involved supporting the work of Healthtalk online and recently spoke on the BBC about the importance and impact of 'evidence based experience sharing'.

In the interview Hugh Grant makes the important point that so much experiential information is available on the internet but that it is important that there is somewhere which does not simply portray the extremes of experience. When newly diagnosed with any health problem It is easy on the Internet to find the stories of those who have had the most awful experiences or who have experienced 'miraculous cures'. What is much more helpful is to be able to sample more of the common experiences in the middle of the absolute extremes.

We are seeking significant support for this project- the recent projects such as on Pancreatic Carcinoma cost around £100,000 but the website has around 2 million visits per month.
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Equilibrium Priorities Set

Priorities Identified for Equilibrium by more than 3000 people with bipolar disorder:

The top three priorities identified from 14 areas were:

1. education and information for those recently diagnosed
2. improved training of professionals
3. addressing issues relating to public understanding and stigma
4. supporting research related to treatment and diagnostic methods

[More]
250km Gobi Desert Marathon in Aid of Equilibrium

250km Gobi Desert Marathon in Aid of Equilibrium

The Gobi March is a six-day, 250-kilometer rough country footrace across the Gobi Desert of China. It was established in 2003 with just 42 participants. Jerome Cartellier is taking part in support of Equilibrium.....
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Annual Report 2008-2009

Annual Report 2008-2009

At the start of January we filed our annual report for the year ending in January 2009 with considerable achievements recorded. An brief summary of achievement outlined in this can be read here.
[More]
Special Feature Articles
Over the Sea to Skye- a shared experience of the impact change in lifestyle can make in bipolar disorder

Many of us living with bipolar disorder feel instinctively that the environment in which we live contributes to our capacity to cope with the ups and downs of life, in particular, that closeness to Nature can have a healing effect. One person who attests to the truth of this is Serena Smart, who wrote to Equilibrium to tell us of the curative influence of living on the beautiful Scottish island of Skye.

[More]

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