Media

Tomorrow (November 20, 2018), the Federal Health Minister, mental health champions and researchers will issue a joint call for 5,000 adults who have been treated for bipolar disorder to volunteer for the world’s largest investigation into the chronic mental illness¹.

Identifying the genes that predispose people to bipolar disorder (which results in strong changes in mood and energy levels) will revolutionise future research into its causes, treatment and prevention¹.

Approximately one in 50 Australians (1.8 per cent) will experience bipolar disorder during their lifetime². The complex disorder which occurs commonly in families, typically results from a combination of genetic and environmental influences². Those living with bipolar disorder also carry a 15 times greater risk of suicide than the general population, accounting for up to 25 per cent of all suicides². To learn why Australians should volunteer for the Australian Genetics of Bipolar Disorder Study, tee up an interview with a mental health champion, study investigator, expert and/or study participant tomorrow.

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MENTAL HEALTH CHAMPIONS
Dan Hunt, Former NRL Player, mental health advocate & founder, Mental Health Movement Company, proudly managing bipolar II disorder, SYDNEY
Enrique “TOPO” Rodriguez, Former Wallaby, author & Managing Director, Australian-Argentine Business Council, who has lived with bipolar II disorder since the 80s, SYDNEY
Neil Cole, Award-winning playwright, researcher & former Shadow Attorney-General who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the early 90s, MELBOURNE

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AUSTRALIAN GENETICS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER STUDY INVESTIGATORS
Prof Ian Hickie, AM,Co-Investigator, Australian Genetics of Bipolar Disorder Study & Co-Director for Health & Policy, Brain & Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, SYDNEY
Prof Sarah Medland, Lead Investigator, Australian Genetics of Bipolar Disorder Study & Head of the Psychiatric Genetics Research Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, BRISBANE
Neil Cole, Co-Investigator, Australian Genetics of Bipolar Disorder Study & Head of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, BRISBANE

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OTHER EXPERTS
Prof Nick Glozier, Professor of Psychological Medicine Psychiatry, Sydney Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, SYDNEY
A/Prof James Scott, Child & adolescent psychiatrist & clinical researcher, Metro North Mental Health Service, BRISBANE
Prof Michael Berk, Prof. of Psychiatry, Deakin University & Barwon Health & Director, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, GEELONG
Prof Ken Kirkby, Prof. of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania & Consultant Psychiatrist, Royal Hobart Hospital, HOBART
Dr Natalie Mills, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, ADELAIDE
Dr Darryl Bassett, Consultant Psychiatrist & Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, PERTH

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STUDY PARTICIPANTS
Alex, 21, Childcare worker & musician who was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder at just 16 years of age, SYDNEY
Jess, 24, Uni student & sales assistant who has been experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder since childhood, SYDNEY
Jo, 39, Freelance journalist & mother of two who battled bipolar disorder for 10 years pre-diagnosis, NEWCASTLE
Bek, 46, Freelance journalist & mother of two who battled bipolar disorder for 10 years pre-diagnosis, NEWCASTLE
Anita, 43, Mother, writer, mental health advocate & veterinarian who has lived with bipolar I disorder for the past 12 years, BRISBANE
David, 57, Father of four & research coordinator who has battled symptoms of bipolar disorder since her teens, MELBOURNE
Kate, 48, Teacher, mother & budding artist who has lived with bipolar disorder symptoms since adolescence, MELBOURNE
Justin, 31, Aquaculture technician, avid camper & four-wheel driver who has lived with bipolar disorder since his late teens, HOBART
Scott, 45, Father, handyman & former SES volunteer who struggled with undiagnosed bipolar disorder for many years, ADELAIDE
Petra, 46, Mother of two & volunteer who has grappled with bipolar disorder symptoms since her teens, PERTH
Tameka, 49, Mother, carer & photography enthusiast who has experienced symptoms of bipolar disorder for most of her life, PERTH

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