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Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation wins $250,000 in Pepsi Refresh Project

Making a Difference with Juvenile Bipolar Disorder

Recognizing and treating the early symptoms of juvenile bipolar disorder is crucial for supporting the children, youth and families who are affected. That’s why today we want to take a moment to acknowledge the excellent work of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, and to congratulate them for winning $250,000 in the Pepsi Refresh project.Bipolar disorder is a biological condition that has both physical and psychological features that affects one’s functioning.

It was once believed that bipolar disorder commenced in early adulthood. However, growing research suggests that if individuals are identified with the childhood/adolescent features of mood instability, commencing treatment immediately can reduce the lifetime effects of bipolar disorder.

Features of juvenile-onset bipolar disorder may include:

  • abrupt swings of mood and energy that occur multiple times within a day
  • intense outbursts of temper,
  • poor frustration tolerance
  • oppositional defiant behaviors

These children veer from irritable, easily annoyed, angry mood states to silly, goofy, giddy elation, and then just as easily descend into low energy periods of intense boredom, depression and social withdrawal, fraught with self-recriminations and suicidal thoughts. (Learn more, and find out how SWA can help.)

The $250,000 grant will help the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation meet these goals:

  • Expand awareness of depression and bipolar disorder in youth
  • Educate parents about symptoms and treatments
  • Enlighten the public about teen suicide
  • Eliminate the stigma associated with childhood mental illness
  • Extend hope to families raising children with a mental health issue

They group says they plan to use the money for an outreach campaign that includes online ads, webinars, podcasts and social networking, as well as distributing printed brochures and letters to psychiatrists.

Here is the video that helped them win votes and secure this funding:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAHmx0_1TKY