In July 2023, CORE-BD worked with the Daymark Foundation (a private family foundation based in Toronto Canada) to co-host the first-ever global gatherings focused on early intervention for bipolar disorder. Held in Lausanne, Switzerland, immediately following 14th International Conference on Early Intervention and Prevention in Mental Health (IEPA) conference, the global gathering brought together a range of stakeholders including clinicians, researchers, peer-support workers, caregivers, advocacy organisations, and funders. A smaller satellite meeting was also held alongside the 25th International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) conference in Chicago. Thirty-seven people from 7 countries participated in this rare opportunity where new connections were forged and insights shared.
Results from from CORE-BD director, Professor Sue Cotton’s latest research project exploring the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for early intervention in bipolar disorder lay the foundation for the meetings. Participants at the gatherings were tasked with brainstorming and prioritising ideas that they felt would make an impact in advancing early intervention for bipolar. The gatherings were both uplifting and productive, with four working groups continuing to meet to pursue concrete ideas for advancing bipolar disorder early intervention.
