Resources for Bipolar Disorder
This page is a running list of recommended resources for information on and support for bipolar disorder. If you’d like to submit a resource to be added to this list, please click here.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
ISBD Patient Resources — A concise overview of bipolar disorder from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, including definitions, symptoms, and downloadable tip sheets on topics like suicide prevention, pregnancy, and co-occurring conditions. Available in multiple languages. isbd.org/patients
Black Dog Institute — Bipolar Disorder Resources — Evidence-based information on bipolar disorder from an Australian medical research institute, covering symptoms, treatments, and self-help strategies. blackdoginstitute.org.au
DepressionEducation.org — A free educational website helping people understand the different types of depression — including bipolar spectrum conditions — and navigate treatment options ranging from self-care and therapy to medications. depressioneducation.org
Crisis Support
If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency services (911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia, 111 in NZ).
United States & Canada
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential 24/7 support. Call or text 988. Available in both the US and Canada.
United Kingdom
Samaritans — Free, confidential 24/7 emotional support for anyone in distress. Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
NHS Mental Health Services — Guidance on how to access mental health support in the UK, including urgent and crisis care. nhs.uk
Australia
Beyond Blue — Free 24/7 phone and webchat support for anxiety, depression, and crisis. beyondblue.org.au
Mind Australia — Mental health support and services across Australia. mindaustralia.org.au
Headspace — Mental health support for young people. headspace.org.au
New Zealand
Mental Health Foundation of NZ — Support groups and mental health resources across New Zealand. mentalhealth.org.nz/groups
Canada — Additional Resources
Hope for Wellness Help Line — 24/7 mental health counselling for Indigenous peoples, available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Call 1-855-242-3310 or chat at hopeforwellness.ca
Trans Lifeline — Peer support run by and for trans people. Call 1-877-330-6366
LifeLine Canada — Crisis Centres by Province — A province-by-province directory of crisis centres across Canada. thelifelinecanada.ca/canadian-crisis-centres
International
Befrienders Worldwide — An international network of emotional support centres in over 30 countries providing confidential support to people in distress. befrienders.org
Finding a Provider
For bipolar disorder, it is important to have an MD as a core part of your treatment team. Many people find it helpful to also have a therapist and/or a support group. If you have an insurer, check with them for a list of mental health providers they will cover.
Once you find a potential provider, it can be helpful to prepare a list of questions to help decide if they are a good fit. Examples include:
- What experience do you have working with bipolar disorder?
- What types of treatments do you offer that are specialized for bipolar disorder?
- Can you describe what we would do during treatment?
- How often would we meet, and what would it cost?
Treatment works best when you have a good relationship with your mental health professional. If you aren’t comfortable or feel the treatment isn’t helping, it’s OK to share your concerns with your provider — this is often the best strategy for improving the relationship. At times, you may also consider finding a different provider or another type of treatment.
Note: The provider-finding resources below are weighted toward the US. If you are outside the US, the regional resources listed below and the organizations in the Organizations & Support Groups section — particularly ISBD, Black Dog Institute, Bipolar UK, and CREST.BD — can help point you toward providers and services in your area.
United States
Specialty & general
US Network of Specialty Mood Disorder Centers — A directory of US clinics specializing in mood disorders including bipolar disorder. nndc.org
ABCT Therapist Directory — Find a US therapist offering empirically-supported treatments for mood and anxiety disorders. services.abct.org/find-a-therapist
Sleep specialists
International Directory of CBT-I Providers — A worldwide directory of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia providers, covering the US, Canada, Europe, Oceania, Asia, Africa, South America, and telemedicine. cbti.directory
Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine Provider Directory — A directory of sleep medicine providers, primarily US-focused with some international listings. behavioralsleep.org
For Veterans
VA Mental Health Services — Information and a facility locator for Veterans seeking mental health care through the VA. va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health
Veterans Crisis Line — Free, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Call 988 then press 1, or text 838255. veteranscrisisline.net
Inclusive & identity-based directories
Clinicians of Color — A directory of BIPOC mental health providers across the US. cliniciansofcolor.org/find-a-therapist
Inclusive Therapists — A directory of therapists specializing in serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and disabled communities. inclusivetherapists.com
Low-cost & free options
SAMHSA Treatment Locator — Find community mental health centers and low-cost treatment providers near you. findtreatment.gov/locator
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics — Locate a free or charitable clinic in your area. nafcclinics.org
211 — United Way’s national database connecting people to local resources including mental health services, financial assistance, and more. Dial 211 or visit 211.org
Other options to look for locally: university and college graduate training clinics, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) through work, and counseling at places of worship or organizations like Jewish Family Services.
United Kingdom
Mind — How to Find a Therapist — Guidance on accessing therapy through the NHS, charities, or privately, plus a network of local Mind centres offering free services across England and Wales. mind.org.uk
NHS Mental Health Services — Information on accessing NHS mental health care including referrals, waiting lists, and urgent support. nhs.uk
Pink Therapy — A directory of LGBTQ+ affirming therapists, primarily UK-based. pinktherapy.com
Canada
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) — Find your local CMHA branch for community mental health services, programs, and referrals across Canada. cmha.ca/find-help
Australia
Beyond Blue — Find a Mental Health Professional — Guidance on what different mental health professionals do and how to find one near you in Australia. beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-mental-health-professional
International
International Directory of CBT-I Providers — A worldwide directory of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia providers including telemedicine options. cbti.directory
ISBD Global Resources — A country-by-country list of bipolar disorder resources and organizations worldwide. isbd.org/Global_resourcesdaily signal with trusted loved ones, so supporters know when to check in without requiring the user to find the words to explain. Created from lived experience. Available on iOS and Android. liveinthezone.eu
Organizations & Support Groups
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) – A US-based organization focused on depression and bipolar disorder, offering peer-led support groups (both in-person and online), trusted educational resources, and free wellness tools for individuals with mood disorders and their loved ones. dbsalliance.org
International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) – A nonprofit offering free education, support, and advocacy for individuals living with bipolar disorder and their caregivers. Founded in 2007, IBPF reaches people in over 150 countries through its online programs. ibpf.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — A US-based grassroots organization offering education, support groups, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness, including bipolar disorder. nami.org
CREST.BD — A multidisciplinary network of researchers, people living with bipolar disorder, healthcare providers, and family members dedicated to collaborative research and knowledge exchange about psychological and social factors in bipolar disorder. crestbd.ca
International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) — A nonprofit organization that fosters international collaboration in education, research, and clinical care to improve the lives of those with bipolar disorder and related conditions. Primarily geared toward researchers and clinicians. isbd.org
Bipolar UK — The only national charity in the UK dedicated to building a better world for everyone affected by bipolar disorder, offering peer support groups, an online community, research, and campaigning, with peer support at the heart of everything they do for over 40 years. bipolaruk.org
Black Dog Institute — An Australian medical research institute dedicated to understanding, preventing, and treating mental health conditions including bipolar disorder, translating research into accessible, evidence-based solutions. blackdoginstitute.org.au
Apps & Tools
In The Zone (ITZ) — A mobile app for people living with bipolar, their loved ones, and their care team. The app helps people share easy, clear, and private daily signals with up to 5 people they trust, their ‘tribe.’ People can swipe that they are ‘not OK’ without explaining everything. This helps their tribe know when to check in, reducing hesitation. People can say less, signal more, and get support sooner. Created from lived experience. Available on iOS and Android. liveinthezone.eu
CBT-i Coach — A free app developed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Guides users through learning about sleep, developing positive sleep routines, and improving their sleep environment. Can be used alongside a provider or on its own. iOS | Android
Stanley-Brown Safety Plan — A free iOS app that guides you through creating a personalized safety plan for dealing with thoughts of suicide and self-harm, walking through the 6 steps of the evidence-based Stanley-Brown safety planning approach. Available to share with loved ones. iOS only (Android users can use the MoodTools Suicide Safety Plan as an alternative)
AIMS (Anger & Irritability Management Skills) — A free app developed by the VA’s National Center for PTSD, providing education about anger, tools to create a personalized anger management plan, anger tracking, and customizable strategies for managing angry reactions. Designed for Veterans and service members but available to anyone. iOS | Android
LifeLine Canada App — A free national suicide prevention and awareness app for Canadians, offering guidance and support for those in crisis, those who have lost a loved one to suicide, and those struggling with anxiety or depression. Also includes a province-by-province crisis centre directory. thelifelinecanada.ca
Online Screening Tools
Bipolar Disorder Screening (Mental Health America) — A free, confidential online screening tool for bipolar disorder. screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/bipolar
Mental Health Screening (Black Dog Institute) — A broader mental health screening tool covering depression, anxiety, and other conditions. onlineclinic.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Books & Media
For bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Caponigro, Lee, Johnson & Kring — A practical book that helps readers process their diagnosis, decide who to tell, and discover treatments and lifestyle changes that can help manage their symptoms. Find at a library near you
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by David J. Miklowitz — A comprehensive, science-based guide sharing proven strategies for managing bipolar disorder for individuals and their families. Covers coping with mood episodes, reducing recurrences, getting the most from treatment, resolving family conflicts, and making lifestyle changes to stay well. Find at a library near you
Coping with Bipolar Disorder: A CBT-Informed Guide to Living with Manic Depression by Jones, Hayward & Lam — Drawing on the combined expertise of three leading specialists, this practical guide uses cognitive behavioural therapy to help with managing bipolar disorder, covering mood monitoring, managing money, housing and social support, and sustaining relationships. Find at a library near you
The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder by Dr. Holly A. Swartz — A workbook drawn from proven-effective social rhythm therapy (SRT), filled with tools and skills for creating a consistent schedule for sleeping, eating, and interacting with others to help reset your body clock, overcome shifts in mood, and find relief from bipolar symptoms. Find at a library near you
For anxiety
Anxiety Free: Unravel Your Fears Before They Unravel You by Robert L. Leahy — A step-by-step guide to common anxiety disorders — including panic, OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and PTSD — exploring how our fears and unchallenged assumptions keep us anxious and offering practical methods based on evidence-based treatments to work toward a life free from anxiety. Find at a library near you
The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You by Robert L. Leahy — An empowering seven-step program to help identify productive and unproductive worry, challenge worried thinking, and take control of anxiety across common areas of concern including relationships, health, money, and work. Find at a library near you
For depression
Beat the Blues Before They Beat You by Robert L. Leahy — A collection of the most powerful cognitive therapy tools to help understand depression, identify mood triggers, and develop a plan to overcome feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Find at a library near you
The 12-Week DBT Workbook: Practical Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills to Regain Emotional Stability by Valerie Dunn McBee, LCSW — A structured 12-week program walking through the four core principles of DBT — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — to help build healthier relationships, stronger self-worth, and emotional balance. Find at a library near you
Media
BrainStorm (Documentary Film) — A documentary following six people living with bipolar in their journey from devastation to recovery, connecting their experiences with the latest bipolar brain science to shed light on potential causes and successful treatments. Available for online screenings. brainstormthefilm.co
CREST.BD World Bipolar Day Reddit AMA — On World Bipolar Day, 80+ bipolar disorder experts came together to answer questions from the public in a Reddit Ask Me Anything. The submission period has closed, but all questions and answers remain available to read. View the AMA