IBPF

Will you support children experiencing a psychiatric crisis and their caregivers who are facing what could be the most challenging time of their lives?

Celebrate and support International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) on this International giving day! We serve worldwide by providing mental health advocacy, education, support, and awareness—fostering a caring community and stigma-free world where mental health is equitably acknowledged and treated. Click here to learn more about how our programs support the community to wellness.

Children Impacted by IBPF's HUGS Program Speak Out:

Harmony was 11 years old when she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and was told to return any comfort items before leaving the facility.

This happened... and IBPF is working to change this for vulnerable children who have been through what can be the most traumatic event in their young life. Studies show that feeling cared for buffers against stress, increases positive emotions, and promotes resilience.

Our HUGS for Kids program provides comfort kits for ALL children admitted to Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, San Diego. When a child is in crisis, there is no packed bag waiting by the front door when heading to the psychiatric hospital.

Hugs for Kids is the first and only outside community support that Sharp Mesa Vista’s Child and Adolescent Unit has ever received. Historically, children hospitalized for psychiatric reasons have not received the abundance of community support that children hospitalized for other reasons do. We know that when mental health is equitably treated, the long-term impacts are positive for individuals and society. Sharp staff states that “The kids have better self-confidence, and they are able to face their peer group better” with HUGS. They have also noted that HUGS fulfills a crucial functional need as many kids are admitted without a change of clothing; some are coming directly from emergency departments dressed in hospital gowns. Having clothing available creates a solution for staff, and provides dignity and warmth for patients. A child who recently received HUGS said, “When I’m physically comfortable, it brings me emotional comfort.” 

Each child receives a sweatshirt, sweatpants, socks, a note card with a message of hope from IBPF and room for caregivers to leave a message, and snuggly teddy bears for the very young. Caregivers receive a San Diego Resource Guide containing critical resources, those with bipolar disorder will receive a copy of our healthy living book, and an invitation to our Caregiver Connections meetings which provides an inviting, stigma-free space to talk and relate to others who are on a similar journey. Research shows that patients and families who receive connection and support have better outcomes when it comes to healing, recovery and continued wellness.  

You can wrap your arms around a child, a family, in crisis.

Dr. Alisha shares the impact of IBPF's HUGS for Kids Program:

Research shows that patients and families who receive connection and support have better outcomes when it comes to healing, recovery and continued wellness. We know that when mental health is equitably treated, the long-term impacts are positive for individuals and society.