Grant: Operating Grant: Knowledge to Action

Bipolar disorder (BD), formerly known as manic-depression, is a complicated and disabling psychiatric condition characterised by repeated episodes of depression and elated mood (known as mania or hypomania). The disorder is relatively common, and results in marked disability, both for the individual and society. Historically, research into BD has focused upon the biological causes of the condition, and using medications to treat it. Only recently have we seen more scientific interest in looking at the role of psychological and social factors in regards BD. Also, research has shown stigma has an important role to play in determining quality of life in BD. Our team, the Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder or CREST.BD has now been functioning for three years. In the group we have research sites across Canada, and significant expertise in BD, stigma and a variety of research methods. Importantly, the team also contains consumers who have a diagnosis of BD, and our program of research is collaborative in nature and uses community-based research methods. In this application we are asking for funds from the CIHR Knowledge to Action (KTA) program to further support CREST.BD in their knowledge translation activities. CREST.BD has taken a collaborative, integrated research approach since it was started, involving people with BD, their family members and research and clinical communities in a variety of research activities. For example, we ask people with BD to help us to choose research questions and methods, collect data, make new questionnaires, explain findings and help share results. In this application, we are proposing a program of KT activities to highlight the importance of assessing quality of life and stigma in bipolar disorder.