| Many bipolar people are very talented but fail to | | | | attached to the bipolar label and we need to attract |
| reach their full potential. By providing cash awards for | | | | as many applicants as possible." |
| students in higher education, scholarships for people | | | | Another exciting trend is the creation of scholarships |
| with bipolar disorder give practical support to the | | | | that cater to the creativity of people with bipolar. For |
| bipolar community. | | | | example, inviting submissions using multimedia formats |
| However, relatively few such scholarships exist, and | | | | and YouTube videos, as well as conventional essays. |
| it can be difficult to discover information about them. | | | | The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) |
| According to the donor of a newly established bipolar | | | | suggest students with bipolar disorder concentrate |
| scholarship, "Bipolar disorder is in the news constantly | | | | their search at the state and local level, as this is |
| right now. This has done a lot of good in terms of | | | | where the majority of scholarship opportunities exist. |
| raising awareness and shattering some of the myths | | | | It is also a good idea to focus on the college the |
| about bipolar. However, this new awareness needs to | | | | student wishes to attend, and apply for a broad |
| be matched by practical measures that encourage | | | | range of scholarships, instead of just those relevant |
| and support the bipolar community. Many people with | | | | to consumers of mental health services. In this way |
| bipolar disorder are highly gifted, but show a pattern | | | | they can talk about conquering bipolar in the context |
| of under achieving. Higher education seems like the | | | | of a larger life story, instead of being defined by the |
| right place to focus on. There is a definite shortage | | | | bipolar label. |
| of higher education scholarships for consumers of | | | | Some commentators fear that recent tragedies such |
| mental health services." | | | | as the campus shooting in Virginia will further |
| Some pharmaceutical companies that produce | | | | marginalize students who are identified as having |
| medications for treating bipolar offer scholarships, and | | | | mental health issues. However, the reality is that |
| a few others are available from private foundations. | | | | bipolar students are more likely to be victims of |
| Some are also offered by private donors. Ideally, | | | | violent crime than to commit such crimes. |
| such scholarships would encourage research, | | | | Too many brilliant but bipolar individuals are not as |
| reflection, and creativity in communicating important | | | | fulfilled and productive as they could be, due to the |
| information about bipolar disorder. | | | | disruption of mood episodes, but also because of |
| A problem with some of the few scholarships | | | | frustration from lack of education and self |
| available for consumers of mental health services is | | | | actualization. |
| lack of privacy and stigma. Particularly welcome would | | | | Today some excellent online guides to scholarships |
| be more scholarships that do not require detailed | | | | for students with bipolar disorder exist. Anyone who |
| disclosure of any medical details, or publicity for the | | | | feels they may be eligible should research these |
| recipient. This trend seems to be changing, according | | | | opportunities and take advantage of the support on |
| to the organizer of one of the recently established | | | | offer. |
| new bipolar scholarships, "Too often, shame is | | | | |