Bipolar Disorder and other serious brain diseases are an extreme challenge not only for the person afflicted, but for the entire family. It helps a great deal to be able to talk with other people who have, or are, going though the same things that you are - to share tips and local resources in coping, and to work together in getting the best possible treatment in your city or area. Below is are good sources on for finding such a support group. Also listed are the National Mental Health Offices that should be able to help with regard to the governmental services for mental health. If there isn't a support group in your area start one - the national offices of each of these organizations are usually more than willing to help! Also - for quick and immediate support - join in the BipolarBlog.com support group discussion areas listed on the home page. If we've missed a group below - please let us know (szwebmaster@yahoo.com)

• In the USA - We recommend you contact you local office of NAMI: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
  • For a listing of local NAMI chapters check here: NAMI list of Local Chapters/Affiliates
  • Some of the good local chapter web sites include: New York Metro NAMI, and California NAMI
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance ( previously called the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association)
  • US Department of Health and Social Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Local Office Locator
  • National Mental Health Association - Local Office Locator
    
  • New York Support Consumer-Published Publication - New York City Voices
• In Canada, Join a chapter of The Schizophrenia Society of Canada and provincial chapters
  • Here is a good example of a more progressive approach to providing information to the public, from the British Columbia Schizphrenia Society: PsychosisSucks
  • Canadian Mental Health Association - Office Locator
• In the UK see the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (RETHINK) and also SANE
• In Australia there are the National Schizophrenia Fellowships or SANE Australia organizations
• In Italy visit Psiche2000, or SOS Psiche, and IDEA
• European Association of Families of Mentally Ill People (EU FAMI)
• In Japan, there is the group: KKG (English KKG Here)
  • A good Japanese Sibling (Brother/Sisters) Group: Infosib - www.et.sakura.ne.jp/~infosib/main.html
    • and the following family-oriented support organization is just starting: NAMI India
• For other countries please visit: Worldwide Support Organizations List
• Visit the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders - it is a worldwide support organization for family-oriented support groups.

Free Support Courses on Brain Diseases for Family Members: We also highly recommend that you take a course offered by NAMI (if its available in your area) called Family to Family - a 12 week course that helps family members deal with serious brain disorders.

• We encourage you to take this class because Patient And Family Education Improves Management Of Schizophrenia
• Information about "Family to Family" course - Should you take it?

• What Parents Can/Can't Do for Siblings
• Marriage to a Person that has Schizophrenia - A Husband's Perspective
• Coping with Schizophrenia - Frederick J. Frese
• Estate Planning when a family member has Schizophrenia
• Tips for handling a Crisis
•  Managing the 5 most common Symptoms of Schizophrenia
•  Understanding and responding to symptoms of schizophrenia

• Recognizing Relapse
• Personal Therapy Helps Patients Avoid Relapse

• Help with getting SSI for your family member with a brain disease
• Dealing With Stress on the Job and Elsewhere