The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation improves the lives of families raising children and teens living with bipolar disorder and related conditions.

Healthcare Reform Goals



   1. Affordable healthcare coverage for all children, youth and young adults up to age 26, that covers prevention, early identification and intervention with effective treatment, services and for mental and substance use disorders.



   2. Health plans that do not impose restrictions on pre-existing conditions, do not terminate coverage when individuals are sick, and that require parity for mental health assessment and treatment with general health care.



   3. A healthcare system that requires plans to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to address racial and ethical disparities, as well as disability-based health disparities.



   4. Incentives for the integration and coordination of primary care with specialty mental health services.



   5. Incentives to produce a competent and accessible mental health workforce, prioritizing the need to address child mental health workforce shortages.



Public Health Goals



   1. Increased funding for research on the causes, nature, and best treatment for early-onset bipolar disorder.

   2. Public service announcements to inform the public about mood disorders in the young.

   3. Access to appropriate evaluation and treatment for all children and adolescents with mood disorders.

   4. Epidemiological studies on mood disorders in children and adolescents.

   5. Education for school children about brain disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, and screening for emerging brain disorders in children.

   6. Non-discriminatory insurance coverage for bipolar and other brain disorders equal to coverage for other medical conditions.

   7. Mandatory reporting by hospital and public safety personnel of anonymous statistical data on suicide attempts by children and adolescents.

   8. Adherence by researchers to the highest ethical standards for drug trials of psychiatric medications in children and adolescents





Public Awareness Facts



   1. Bipolar disorder can and does occur in childhood and adolescence.



   2. Bipolar disorder resembles, or often co-occurs with, ADHD and other neurobiological conditions.



   3. Qualified professionals can identify children at risk for early-onset bipolar disorder and diagnose bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.



   4. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be reduced or managed with appropriate treatment.



   5. Early diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents may prevent a worsening course of illness, school avoidance, substance abuse, and impulsive acts of aggression against loved ones, self, and others.



   6. Medications commonly used to treat bipolar disorder in adults, such as lithium and other mood stabilizers, may be effective in many children, but more research on effective treatments is needed.

   7. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder often need, and are entitled to, flexible accommodations at school (including Individual Educational Plans) to meet their unique educational needs.



   8. Children with bipolar disorder respond best to parenting and educational methods that take account of their neurobiological condition.