FROM THE BOOK
Resources
If you scanned a code or followed a link to get here, it probably means something in the book pointed you this way. Welcome. This is the page I keep current so the information you actually need doesn’t go stale the way a printed list would. Support and advocacy organizations, crisis lines by country, recommended reading, podcasts, and communities are all below, and I update them as things change.
If you need help right now
You don’t have to wait for anything on this page. If you’re in crisis, reach out now.
- United States — call or text 988 (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741.
- United Kingdom & Ireland — call 116 123 (Samaritans)
- Canada — call or text 988 (9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline)
- Australia — call 13 11 14 (Lifeline)
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.
Support & advocacy organizations
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) — peer-led support groups, online and in person, plus free wellness tools. dbsalliance.org
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — education, local affiliates, and a HelpLine for information and support (call 800-950-6264 or text “Helpline” to 62640, Mon–Fri 10am–10pm ET). Note: the HelpLine is not a crisis line. nami.org
- International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) — free education, webinars, and caregiver resources, available globally. ibpf.org
- International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) — patient and family guides, plus a global directory of resources by country. isbd.org
- Bipolar UK — support, peer communities, and an eCommunity forum for the UK. bipolaruk.org
Recommended reading
- An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison — a psychologist and leading bipolar researcher writes about living with the illness herself. The closest thing to a classic this subject has.
- The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by David J. Miklowitz — the practical, science-based manual for managing the illness and supporting a loved one. Now in its third edition.
- Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston — written for partners and family, the people Chapter 15 is about.
- Manic: A Memoir by Terri Cheney — another firsthand account, unflinching about the highs and the lows.
Podcasts
- Inside Bipolar — Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington, talking through the illness with candor and humor. The bipolar-specific show.
- Inside Mental Health — Gabe Howard’s broader weekly show on mental health and psychology, accessible and conversational.
Communities
- DBSA online support groups — dbsalliance.org/support
- Bipolar UK eCommunity — a moderated peer forum, free to join, open beyond the UK. bipolaruk.org/ecommunity
- bp Magazine / bphope — articles, personal stories, and community from people living with bipolar. bphope.com
Resource Submission
Do you have a relevant resource that we should know about and list on this page? Provide the details below and we’ll check it out.
