Grant: Operating Grant: Knowledge to Action

Bipolar disorder (BD), a condition characterized by repeated episodes of depression and over-elated mood, affects over half a million Canadians and results in substantial costs to the healthcare system. While many people with BD take medications to stay well, medications alone are always enough to ensure optimal quality of life. One growing area of research relates to the role of 'self-management strategies' (the decisions and actions a person can take to better cope with their health condition) for BD. This project will be conducted by the Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in BD (CREST.BD; www.crestbd.ca), a unique CIHR-funded network that brings together researchers, clinicians, people with BD and their supports to research and exchange knowledge on BD. We have conducted two key studies in this area. First, we examined the strategies used by people living successfully with BD. Second, we collected more generalizable evidence on effective strategies in an international sample. Our studies used a broad definition of 'evidence', important because people with BD can have significant knowledge about how best to manage BD in real life. In this study, we will share this knowledge with two user groups, people with BD and BD healthcare providers. We will: 1. Build and test the effectiveness of an online Wellness Centre containing evidence on self-management strategies for BD; 2. Design and test methods to help the user groups use the evidence in the Wellness Centre (e.g. workshops or a 'Living Library' where users access a CREST.BD member for self-management support). Our participatory research approach will ensure that both user groups will be involved in each step of the research. Study findings will help improve the health and quality of life of Canadians with BD by giving them knowledge and empowering them to manage their condition more effectively and help healthcare providers better support and care for people with BD.