Challenges We Must Conquer With Urgency And Utmost Compassion
Bipolar disorder is a dynamic and serious condition that has a lifelong impact on a person's overall health status, quality of life, and functioning. It is currently estimated that 4 to 6% of the population has some form of bipolar disorder. Each year, 5.7 million adults, 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older are impacted. Here are the facts:
although only 10% of all people with depression have bipolar depression, estimated accounts for nearly half of all suicides in U.S. each year
risk of suicide is 20 to 30 times greater than general population and significantly higher than other depressive disorders
50% attempt suicide, with 11% to 20% dying by suicide
80% suffer from suicidal ideation for which there is currently no effective treatment
83% of cases are considered “severe” and 51% are not receiving healthcare treatment
considered among ten most disabling medical conditions worldwide and is sixth leading cause of disability
treatment most costly of all mental health conditions, costing U.S. healthcare system estimated $30 billion in direct expenditures and $120 billion in indirect costs each year
We Are On A Mission to Heal with Hope
We're on a mission to give those with bipolar disorder reasons to not only hold on to hope but to life itself. Our team also has a strategic vision to one up the conversation about mental illness in order to shift perceptions so mental illness is viewed for what it is — a physical illness. To truly help people on their path to mental wellness, we must replace "i" in mental illness with "we." It is up to each and everyone of us to step up. No one deserves to go through life feeling life alone or battling the shame of stigma. We all deserve someone who is willing to reach out and serve as a light in the darkest of moments.
In our HOPE Mentors program, our peer mentoring team reaches into the darkness and extends their hands, offering light, and healing with hope. We also believe that the path to wellness does not end with hope alone. Access to needed mental health treatment and life-sustaining support is absolutely critical. In our HOPE Advocates program, aided by our HOPE Emergency Fund, our team of mental health advocates knocks down roadblocks and cuts through red tape to ensure those who reach out to us make it to the end of the tunnel where light and hope beacon.
Anchored by a volunteer executive team, strategic advisors, and interns — all of whom care very deeply about community and mental wellness — our Hope Xchange family is also very active in mental health and suicide prevention advocacy.
Will You Extend Your Hand and Help Us Give People a Reason to Stay?
Gift hope and life for those in the darkness. Switch on the light for someone in need and consider making a tax-deductible donation today to one of our free programs or our general fund. We are an all-volunteer organization so your donations will go to help those in need.