groundbreaking partnership to help many thousands of Australians, and their families, whose lives are scarred by bipolar disorder

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1 Dear Supporter, As the leaders of the Black Dog Institute and NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia) we are excited that high quality research is helping us better understand causes and treatments of bipolar disorder. Together, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in supporting our organisations in the past. It is also with pleasure that we share with you a groundbreaking partnership that brings together two of Australia s renowned research organisations. We are working together to help many thousands of Australians, and their families, whose lives are scarred by bipolar disorder. Black Dog, Australia s only translational research organisation in depression and bipolar disorder, has joined with NeuRA, leaders in brain and nervous system research, to undertake unique research into identifying the genetic risks of bipolar disorder. You ll find a short information leaflet on both our organisations accompanying this letter. We are at an enormously exciting time for medical research. As technology advances, we are more able to understand the very basis of how bipolar disorder develops. This knowledge will give us the power to identify who is at risk before they display signs of the condition, and enable us to target treatment to the cause, not just manage the symptoms. Professor Peter R Schofield Together, Black Dog and NeuRA are working on a study that aims to identify the triggers of bipolar disorder through studying young people (aged 12 to 30) who have a parent or sibling living with the disorder. This type of genetic research pioneers a new way of looking at bipolar disorder. It will make possible early intervention programs and better treatment outcomes, even prevention. We d like to ask you to take a moment and imagine this: one minute you re on top of the world. You re planning, laughing, exploring, risk-taking, operating on little sleep and nothing seems impossible. Days later it s a different story you re sad, depressed, sluggish, desperate, and feel so hopeless that suicide is never far from your thoughts. Justin Hanby, a respected criminal lawyer, knows all too well just how crippling bipolar disorder is. From a young age it was clear Justin s future was bright. He achieved great success in both the classroom and sporting arena, and to those around him he appeared the picture of health. Yet it was in these early years of his life that he first experienced dramatic mood swings that follow him to this day. Going back even further to his toddler years, he had the heart-breaking experience of losing his father to suicide after a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (then called manic depression). Professor Peter R Schofield Professor Helen Christensen

2 Bipolar disorder is a debilitating illness that affects around 1 in 75 Australians and causes individuals to experience unpredictable, exaggerated mood swings that cripple one s quality of life. People with this illness suffer recurrent episodes of high (or elevated) moods and depression. Bipolar disorder has been ranked in the top 20 most disabling disorders in the world, and children of bipolar disorder patients are 10 times more likely to also become ill. Frustratingly though, we have no tools to predict which of these genetically at-risk young individuals will eventually develop symptoms. One of the difficulties in treating bipolar disorder is accurately diagnosing it. Despite many years of severe mood swings, Justin, has only just been diagnosed with the illness. Now aged 44 and now with the right treatments, he finally feels in control of his life. Imagine if, through our partnership, we could identify the markers of bipolar disorder much earlier and intervene to reduce or even prevent the illness from occurring! We would greatly appreciate you supporting this vital joint research initiative, which focuses on identifying early clinical or biological markers of bipolar disorder. Your gift will also help our organisations continue our clinical services and wider research to benefit people with bipolar disorder. Together, Black Dog and NeuRA s research can build a better future for people like Justin, allowing them access to earlier identification and the tools to stay well so they can live life to its full potential but we need your help. Over the last 25 years I have seen first-hand the positive impact of successful research on improving mental health treatment. Black Dog and NeuRA partnering together is an exciting time in our understanding of the brain and mind. Our knowledge is expanding and our collaboration will work towards minimising the impact of bipolar disorder and possibly even preventing bipolar disorder occurring in the first place. Professor Helen Christensen Please, will you help us to support people with bipolar disorder? Our researchers are committed to the long-term task of conquering this terrible disease. Please consider a gift today. Yours sincerely, Professor Helen Christensen Director, Black Dog Institute Professor Peter R Schofield PhD DSc Executive Director and CEO, NeuRA P.S. Please complete the enclosed donation form or give online at: everydayhero.com.au/event/blackdogneura today. Note: Your personal details have not been shared with our partner NeuRA and will only be shared if you choose to donate to this joint appeal.

3 Bipolar explained Bipolar disorder is the name used to describe a set of exaggerated mood swings. People living with bipolar experience unpredictable mood swings from elevated mood to depression, which can disrupt quality of life. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are not always straightforward, however we do know that there are two starting points. Bipolar disorder can start with clinical depression, feeling low and disconnected. It can also start with highs where mood levels are more elevated than usual, or where an individual feels more hyper. Individuals living with bipolar disorder can experience different patterns of mood disturbance, with cycles lasting days, weeks or months. Individuals can also present as being mainly manic or depressive. There are a number of factors that are believed to play a role in developing bipolar disorder including genetics, brain chemicals, environmental factors and sometimes medical illnesses. Learn more about bipolar disorder: everydayhero.com.au/event/blackdogneura

4 Black Dog Institute The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit translational research organisation working to deliver scientific research findings into accessible outcomes for the community. Black Dog has four important goals to diagnose mood disorders like bipolar disorder accurately and early; treat them using innovative, effective and accessible strategies; prevent their onset by understanding why and who they affect, and reduce the impact of mental illness to save lives. Combining world-class expertise in clinical management with cutting edge research, Black Dog delivers better treatment outcomes, better education and a better life for those affected by depression, bipolar disorder, or suicide. To learn more about Black Dog visit blackdoginstitute.org.au In the past, we only diagnosed and treated heart disease after a heart attack. Now we know the risk factors for heart disease and aim to prevent it. Currently, we only treat bipolar disorder once someone becomes manic. Our research into young people at risk of bipolar disorder will give us the opportunity to identify the risk factors and early signs, and allow us to intervene early to reduce the impact of this condition. Professor Philip Mitchell (Chief investigator, kids and sibs bipolar disorder study). NeuRA NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia) is an independent, not-for-profit research institute, whose mission is to prevent, treat and cure brain and nervous system diseases, disorders and injuries through medical research. NeuRA conducts research in five areas mental illness; ageing and neurodegeneration; brain structure and function; neural injury and sensation, movement, balance and falls. Its researchers have gained international renown through discoveries about diseases including dementia, Parkinson s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; public health outcomes including changes to child restraint laws; and innovative rehabilitative therapies using computer games assisting people after stroke. To learn more about NeuRA visit neura.edu.au

5 Precision in diagnosis, especially in these formative years, will have a profound impact on the course of a young person s life. My diagnosis came a lot later on; being able to reach this turning point earlier would be wonderful not only to the sufferer but also those significant others. Justin Hanby

6 Justin was plagued with mood swings throughout his youth and early adulthood. The ups and downs impacted greatly on his life and he spent many years trying to find answers. Aged 44, Justin has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now that I am getting proper treatment, I feel calm, in control and am gaining enormous satisfaction from life. Justin Hanby