Bipolar Disorder Education Program

Module 1: Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

Presented by:
Professor Gordon Parker

Professor Gordon Parker is Scientia Professor at the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, and Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute. He has a keen commitment to advancing research into the mood disorders and, in particular, to improving their classification, detection and management. He has written a number of books, including 'Dealing with Depression: A Common Sense Guide to Mood Disorders'.

• Start Module 1
• Interview with Professor Parker
• A personal perspective - Fay Jackson

Print version - Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder [PDF, 187KB]

Module 2: The causes of Bipolar Disorder

Presented by:
Professor Gin Malhi

Professor Gin Malhi is Chair of Psychological Medicine at the University of Sydney and consultant psychiatrist at the Black Dog Institute. He is a specialist in the application of neuroimaging techniques that help in the treatment of severe depressive disorders, Bipolar Disorder, psychomotor function and treatment-resistant depression.

• Start Module 2
• Interview with Dr Malhi

Print version - The causes of Bipolar Disorder [PDF, 394KB]

Module 3: Bipolar Disorder medications

Presented by:
Professor Philip Mitchell

Professor Philip Mitchell is Head of the School of Psychiatry and Convenor of Brain Sciences at the University of NSW. He has published widely on both Bipolar Disorder and depression. He is Chair of the NSW Mental Health Priority Taskforce, the ministerial advisory committee tasked with advising the NSW government on future directions in mental health services.

• Start Module 3
• Interview with Professor Mitchell
• A personal perspective - Fay Jackson

Print version - Bipolar Disorder medications [PDF, 143KB]

Module 4: Psychological treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Presented by:
Dr Margo Orum

Dr Margo Orum is a psychologist in private practice at Rozelle, who has successfully managed her own bipolar illness for the last 13 years. She is author of 'Fairytales in Reality: My Victory over Manic Depression', published by Macmillan in 1996.

• Start Module 4
• Interview with Dr Orum
• A personal perspective - Fay Jackson

Print version - Psychological treatments for Bipolar Disorder [PDF, 92KB]

Module 5: Staying well with a stay well plan

Presented by:
Dr Sarah Russell

Dr Sarah Russell is the Principal Researcher of Research Matters in Melbourne, Australia. She was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 25 years ago. Sarah has published numerous academic articles and frequently writes letters and opinion pieces for newspapers. 'A Lifelong Journey: Staying Well with Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder' is her first book.

• Start Module 5
• Interview with Dr Russell

Print version - Staying well with a stay well plan [PDF, 70KB]

Module 6: Issues for carers

Presented by:
Associate Professor Meg Smith, OAM

Meg was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder when she was 32. This led her into a career of teaching, community work and networking amongst people who have also experienced Bipolar Disorder. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Applied Social and Human Sciences at the University of Western Sydney, President of the Mental Health Association NSW and board member of the Black Dog Institute.

• Start Module 6
• Interview with Associate Professor Smith

Print version - Issues for carers [PDF, 128KB]

Module 7: Omega-3 as a treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Presented by:
Dr Anne-Marie Rees

Dr Anne-Marie Rees is a psychiatrist and senior research fellow working at the Black Dog Institute and School of Psychiatry, University of NSW. Her clinical interests are in mood disorders and women's mental health. Her research over the last few years has involved looking at the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of mood disorders.

• Start Module 7
• Interview with Dr Rees

Print version - Omega-3 as a treatment for Bipolar Disorder [PDF, 130KB]

Module 8: Person first, illness last

Presented by:
Fay Jackson

Having been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 37, Fay Jackson, CEO of Vision In Mind, is now a renowned national motivational speaker, educator, advocate and voice for mental health. She is a national media representative consulting to Rotary Health Research Fund, SANE Australia, beyondblue, and the NSW Centre for Mental Health. Fay was the Director of Consumer, Carer and Community Affairs for a large area health service for 4 years.

• Start Module 8

Print version - Person first, illness last [PDF, 68KB]

Module 9: Conclusion to the Program

Presented by:
Associate Professor Neil Cole

Neil Cole was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 1993. He is currently a researcher at the Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre at Monash Medical School, Victoria. Previously, he worked at the Mental Health Research Institute as the Head of the Depression Awareness Research Project. Neil was formerly a lawyer, a member of the Victorian State Parliament for over a decade and, in the 1990s, was the Victorian Shadow Attorney-General.

• Start Module 9

Print version - Conclusion to the program [PDF, 29KB]