To mark World Bipolar Day, Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies today acknowledged the groundbreaking work Australian researchers are doing to improve treatments for the mood disorder.

World Bipolar Day is marked each year on March 30 and aims to bring awareness and eliminate the social stigma associated with bipolar disorder.

Mrs Davies said the NSW Government has invested $2.46 million in a consortium of research institutes to use genome-sequencing techniques to get a genetic profile of people living with bipolar disorder.

“Australian researchers have a proud record in helping to solve the mystery behind bipolar disorder and are continuing the search for more effective treatments and a possible cure,” Mrs Davies said.

“From the pioneering efforts of Australian psychiatrist Dr John Cade, who in 1948 discovered lithium as the ‘gold standard’ treatment for bipolar disorder, through to contemporary researchers, work continues to find a cure for this disorder which afflicts about 250,000 Australians.”

“NSW is delivering promising research results already, with one of the consortium partners, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), identifying genes that may increase a person’s risk in developing the disorder.”

“There is much more to be done in this space and we will continue to support research and provide mental health support in line with the NSW Government’s commitment to improve the lives of those who depend on our critical services.”

Mrs Davies said the NSW Government is investing a record $1.9 billion in mental health in the 2017-18 Budget, an increase of $87 million from last year.