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Home > BD² Updates > Bridging Science, Care, and Hope: Highlights from the BD² Integrated Network Meeting in Chicago

Bridging Science, Care, and Hope: Highlights from the BD² Integrated Network Meeting in Chicago

By Emily Baxi, PhD, BD² Integrated Network Program Director

Last week in Chicago, we had an energetic and productive meeting with our BD² Integrated Network site teams and partners. The gathering underscored our core mission to break new ground in the understanding of bipolar disorder through a collaborative approach that is committed to fast-tracking improvements in care, a journey that typically spans decades.

The BD² Integrated Network is a tangible expression of this commitment. Through our work, we’re actively bridging the gap between research and real-world care. We recognize that thriving with bipolar disorder is far beyond simple management; it’s about building pathways to wellness and fulfillment—a mission that drives every aspect of our work. This is a journey that goes beyond science; it’s about translating findings into compassionate, transformative care.

As part of this journey, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), an organization with deep roots in Chicago and a history of over 40 years in national advocacy. DBSA will join us to provide crucial peer support and wellness resources to individuals participating in our research study. Starting in March 2025, DBSA will play a key role in the BD² Integrated Network, fostering community among study participants, supporting retention in the cohort study, and providing insights on how peer support can impact outcomes.

The BD² Integrated Network is a groundbreaking, two-pronged approach connecting bipolar disorder research and care. It combines a traditional longitudinal cohort study of 4,000 participants, designed to generate in-depth phenotypes of bipolar disorder over time, and a learning health network, designed to iteratively improve outcomes for people with bipolar disorder. Through our collaboration with DBSA, we’re embedding peer support directly into this structure, promoting connection, encouragement, and resilience among participants. Together, we’re building a network that not only studies bipolar disorder but actively nurtures those affected by it.

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