Useful Websites
Eleanor Worsley (the author of Life With Bipolar Type Two) has curated a range of potentially useful websites for people with bipolar disorders and our loved ones. These useful websites have been grouped by general topic (for ease of reference): Crisis Support; Bipolar-Specific Information; Support Groups; General Mental Health; Laws & Legality.
Crisis Support:
Crisis Support websites and contact information for anyone who finds themselves in a crisis situation, e.g., feeling suicidal; in an abusive situation; having risky impulses; etc.
www.findahelpline.com – Find A Helpline allows you to do a world-wide search for websites, phone numbers, text numbers, instant messaging contacts, etc. by country/locality and by topic. Find A Helpline offers contact info and links for support for a range of crises and difficulties, including but not limited to: anxiety; bullying; stress; parenting; gambling; dementia; suicide; eating/body image; pregnancy and abortion; substance use; grief/loss; gender and sexual identity; trauma and PTSD; supporting others; and more. A go-to if you want/need support quickly and don’t know where to find it.
www.samaritans.org – Samaritans website. Samaritans is a UK-based charity for suicide prevention. They have a 24-hr helpline, an instant messaging service, and in-person branches.
www.giveusashout.org – Shout website. Shout is a 24-hr confidential text-messaging help service based in the UK. Shout is about offering a listening ear and impartial sign-posting/guidance for a range of mental health and social challenges, including: loneliness, self-harm, bullying, anxiety, suicide and stress.
www.aihw.gov.au/suicide-self-harm-monitoring/resources/crisis-helplines-support-services – Australian Institute of Health & Welfare webpage for suicide & self-harm monitoring. Has links and contact info for various crisis hotlines and instant messaging services.
www.988lifeline.org – USA lifeline website. For suicide prevention, mental health and emotional crisis support, addiction support.
www.988.ca – Canadian suicide and mental health crisis hotline.
Bipolar-Specific Information:
www.bipolaruk.co.uk – Bipolar UK website. Bipolar UK is an organisation which supports people with Bipolar Disorders (and our loved ones) living in the United Kingdom. They facilitate support groups (in-person and online), back scientific research, fund-raise for bipolar research and community outreach, educate and spread awareness, host an online community, and much much more. Bipolar UK offers a free email subscription where you can receive invitations to participate in research, learn about Bipolar UK initiatives, get updates on recent scientific developments, and more.
www.bphope.com – bpHope website. bpHope is an editorial website (stemming from the bp Magazine) which primarily shares articles about bipolar disorder. This website is a vast resource of information, advice, and practical guidance for anyone living with a bipolar disorder, who supports/loves someone with bipolar, wants to learn about bipolar disorders, and/or is involved in the (mental) healthcare of bipolar patients. bpHoppe is partnered with some of the bipolar research communities biggest organisations, including: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program. They host articles written by a range of authors including one of my bipolar idols, Julie A. Fast. bpHope has an email newsletter you can subscribe to and a range of digital back-issues of the bp Magazine free to download. (I love this website and I am subscribed to their email newsletter.)
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/bipolar-disorder/ – Mind’s webpage for Bipolar Disorder. Mind is a UK-based mental health charity. Mind offers support groups, counselling services, self-help and education courses, signposting to other organisations, and more. On this webpage you will find information about treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, support groups, self-help advice, guidance for loved ones, crisis contacts, and several other useful/informative sections.
www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/bipolar-disorder/ – NHS webpage for Bipolar Disorder. The (UK) National Health Service information page for Bipolar Disorder is fairly generic but has helpful links and advice for anyone with or who suspects they may have a Bipolar Disorder.
www.medresearch.umich.edu/labs-departments/centers/prechter-program – Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar ReseachProgram website. The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program is a medical/scientific research group based out of University of Michigan Medical School. Their ultimate aim is to understand the causes of bipolar disorder, in order to be able to establish better treatments and help people with bipolar disorders live fuller, happier, more stable lives. They offer an email subscription to keep informed about the latest research findings and developments in bipolar treatment.
www.dbsalliance.org – Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) website. The DBSA is an American organisation which aims to support people with mood disorders and our loved ones. DBSA facilitates support groups, provides education and information resources, and offers help and guidance to Americans with bipolar disorders or depression. DBSA has a range of free downloadable brochures and info sheets, and offer a free monthly email (Synapse) which you can customise what types of information you want to receive.
www.ibpf.org – International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) website. The IBPF focuses on awareness and education about bipolar disorder. They have an email newsletter and a wealth of digital resources to help individuals and organisations learn about, adapt to, and live with bipolar disorders. IBPF offers advocacy, empowerment, support, and education.
Support Groups:
www.bipolaruk.org/get-support/find-a-support-group/ – Bipolar UK Support Group finding webpage.
www.bipolaruk.org/get-support/online-community/ – Bipolar UK eCommunity access webpage. Bipolar UK hosts an online community of discussion boards for people with bipolar disorders and our support networks. This truly is an endless resource of 24/7 community support. (I found this especially helpful when I was first diagnosed and I was scared and so confused.)
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/peer-support-groups/how-to-find-a-support-group/ – Mind webpage for guidance on finding a support group. This webpage offers advice for finding in-person groups for various mental health conditions, personal difficulties, and social situations.
www.dbsalliance.org/support/ – Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) webpage for finding support groups (in-person and online) in the USA.
General Mental Health:
www.rethink.org – Rethink Mental Illness website. Rethink Mental Illness is an organisation aimed at improving the lives of people with mental health issues and our support networks. Rethink understands that psychiatric and psychological wellbeing are intricately connected to physical wellness, housing security, community support, employment and education, the criminal-justice system and more; as such they offer a range of services to both individuals and organisations in all the above sectors, as well as advocacy programs, peer-support, and carers’ advice, among much more.
www.nami.org – National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) website. NAMI is a USA organisation which spans across the States aiming to spread awareness, assist and support those living with mental health conditions and their loved ones, dispel stigma, and expand education and understanding.
www.mhanational.org – Mental Health America (MHA) website. MHA is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to promote mental wellness for Americans. They offer education, support, advocacy and more.
www.sane.org – Sane (Australia) website. Sane is an Australian organisation aimed at supporting people with complex mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and PTSD.
Laws and Legality:
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/contents – UK Mental Health Act (1983).
www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-bill-2025-fact-sheet/mental-health-bill-2025-fact-sheet – UK Mental Health Bill (2025).
www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person – UK Disability Rights.
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents – UK Equality Act (2010).
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/50/contents – UK Disability Discrimination Act (1995).
www.ada.gov – USA Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/fact-sheets/employment-laws-disability-and-discrimination – USA Employment Rights and Disability Discrimination.
www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/rights-people-disabilities.html – Canada Disability Rights.
www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04426/2018-04-12/text – Australia Disability Discrimination Act (1992).