The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) launched its pioneering website,
www.bpkids.org, in 1999 when childhood bipolar illness awareness was in its infancy. Since then, scientific research from the past decade has fundamentally changed the understanding of bipolar disorder in children.
Our own research reveals that many children experience a number of “working labels” and there are often co-morbid conditions that cloud the picture. This makes a single condition name for the organization - like “bipolar” – limiting for families who seek support and answers for their children.
Due to these factors, CABF’s board of directors voted to expand our mission from a single condition to include all mood disorders: bipolar disorder, depression and a proposed new DSM-V diagnosis for children which will attempt to capture children who are currently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but do not meet full criteria.
It became apparent that we needed an updated CABF brand to reflect these changes without losing focus on our current membership. We conducted a survey of CABF families with over 800 responses, and held four focus groups in New York and Chicago. There was strong consensus around the labels, “balance” “mind” and “resource or foundation.” Families did not want a medical sounding name, which they found to be stigmatizing. They also wanted to know that “we are you” and that people who walk in their shoes run the organization.
Therefore, we are pleased to announce that CABF will become:
The Balanced Mind Foundation envisions a world where children living with mood disorders thrive because their families have the resources, community and support they need.
The Balanced Mind Foundation…Bringing Hope Home.