Relevant Organisations

• International Society for Bipolar Disorders
• SANE Australia
• BeyondBlue
• Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria)
• Orygen Youth Health
• Black Dog Institute
• DoD Mental Health Online
• Mensline Australia
• Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists – Guides for the Public
• Mental Health Association of Australia
• Mental Health Foundation, New Zealand
• Bipolar Australia  (an organisation representing consumers, carers and friends)
• GP Psych Support (a resource for general practitioners only)
• Balance Aotearoa (NZ Bipolar & Depression Network)
• The Phobic Trust of New Zealand (mostly about anxiety disorders rather than bipolar disorders)
• Supporting Families in Mental Illness (New Zealand) – assists those who have a loved one with mental illness
• This is my Reality (notifications of research and consumer/carer information)
•  Bipolar Life (was Melbourne Bipolar Network) – support groups around   Melbourne

Web Resources

• Bipolarcaregivers.org – an online evidence based resource for close family and friends of people with bipolar disorder, offering information about the illness, treatment and ways family/carers can deal with it.
• MOODswings – an online self-help tool for people with bipolar disorder
• Mood Gym – a free self-help program that uses cognitive behavioural therapy to help people vulnerable to depression.
• BlueBoard – an online community bulletin board for people affected by depression or anxiety, friends and carers, and those who are concerned that they may have depression or anxiety and want support.

Publications

PLEASE NOTE:  ASBDD does not endorse any publications listed on this website. However, it does provide a list of publications that may be of interest to clinicians, consumers and carers.

My Happy Sad Mummy

Author:   Michelle Vasiliu          Art by award winning illustrator:   Lucia Masciullo

My Happy Sad Mummy, was written for the thousands of young children all over the world living with a parent or guardian who has a mental illness.

It was written for these same parents and guardians, who may need some kind of frame work to help explain their illness to the children in their care. Simply put, it is a tool they can use to begin an on-going dialogue about why they sometimes behave in strange or distressing ways.

And finally, it was written as a resource for childcare workers, kindergarten teachers, librarians, psychologists, counselors … indeed anyone working with young children who may benefit from such a book.

This book can be purchased from www.woodslane.com.au  or  for discounted signed copies, please contact the author at michelle@michellevasiliu.com  or  phone 0438 006 852

My Family is a Team

Author:  Kelly Goodsir     Illustrator:  Dina theodoropoulos

Hard Cover Children’s Picture Book – Ages 3-6 years

This book is for any teachers, educators, parents or family members who know of any person who has had a mental illness in their life.

It is vital that we talk about mental health with children and their families.   through this book you will find the language to articulate and communicate the important messages related to mental health..

My Family is a Team can be purchased for $22.95 (plus postage) from info@kellygoodsir.com.au or by phoning Kelly Goodsir on 0410 103 775.