World Bipolar Day

What is World Bipolar Day?

The vision of World Bipolar Day (WBD) is to bring world awareness to bipolar conditions and to eliminate social stigma. Through international collaboration, the goal of WBD is to bring the world population information about bipolar conditions that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the condition.

WBD is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition. 2025 World Bipolar Day Links 

WBD is an initiative of the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) in collaboration with the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD) and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD).

For those living with bipolar disorder, World Bipolar Day offers an opportunity to connect with others as well as assistance gaining access to valuable resources and relationships that can improve their lives through treatment.

It is estimated that the global prevalence of bipolar disorder is around 2.8% and has been said to be as high as 5% and, according to the World Health Organization, is the 6th leading cause of disability in the world. In order to address this global problem, we need a global solution. With support from leading experts from around the world, groups like ANBD, IBPF, and ISBD are supporting efforts to investigate biological causes, targets for drug treatment, better treatments, better methods of diagnosis, the genetic components of the illness, and strategies for living well with bipolar disorder and this is just the beginning. Collaborations between research and advocacy groups are continuing to grow, and WBD is a tribute to the success of this strategy.

Whether you’re living with bipolar disorder, loving someone, or just supporting mental wellness, we’re all in this together. Join us to celebrate this year’s World Bipolar Day theme, #BipolarStrong, on March 30th!

This World Bipolar Day, connect and remind folks that they are not alone in what they’re going through. By sharing your story online with the hashtags, #BipolarStrong and #WorldBipolarDay, we can unite together to educate, empathize, and empower others.

Willem Nolen, of the ANBD, shares his enthusiasm about this initiative 

“”When the ANBD, who came up with the idea, approached the ISBD we immediately decided that we should support it actively. The initiative helps to achieve our goals to improve the lives of bipolar patients and their relatives. We immediately invited the IBPF to join in the initiative and are excited to work with such a great group of organizations. I am confident that World Bipolar Day will grow in the upcoming years and will help reduce stigma.”” 

Muffy Walker, Founder of IBPF, said the following when asked why she felt it important to be involved with WBD,

“”As Martin Luther King once said, I have a dream that one day our nations will rise up and create all men equal. And I have a dream that my son, who has lived most of his life with bipolar disorder, will one day live in a nation where he will not be judged by his illness, but rather by the content of his character. I believe that World Bipolar Day will help bring my dream to fruition.””

Manuel Sanchez de Carmona, with ISBD, believes that

  “WBD is an excellent opportunity for us [ISBD members] to reach out to patients, families and advocacy groups to invite them to work together on this global project to sensitize and bring awareness to bipolar disorders. WBD is a platform to think global and act local. Our vision will be attained with a motivated and strong local effort.””