News

Where to find OSSiBD

OSSiBD is being deployed in hospitals, treatment centers, and private practices across the globe. Work is underway to develop foreign language versions and bring hope and healing to even more individuals with bipolar disorder.

January 2024

Recruitment has begun for a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of OSSiBD. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Iowa State University's Self-Stigma Research Collaborative.

October 2023

OSSiBD was mentioned on the Carlat Psychiatry Podcast in their review of the 2023 ISBD conference. Thank you to Chris Aiken and Kellie Newsome for sharing!

June 2023

OSSiBD will be featured in a symposium at the 2023 Conference of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. Andrea Vassilev will present alongside Dr. Helene Richard-Lepouriel, MD, who will speak on self-stigma in BD.

May 2023

OSSiBD was featured in an article in the journal Behavioral Health News.

February 2023

Two new OSSiBD groups start this week thanks to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of California.

January 2023

Thanks to www.psycheducation.org for featuring OSSiBD in a blog post.

September 2022

OSSiBD is being piloted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of California. 

Testimonials

Testimonials

“I have worked with and led support groups for the past 15 years with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. I know the devastating effects of self-stigma. It is a killer. I took the facilitator training and am excited to share what I learned from Andrea. Having recently completed the 8-week training in OSSiBD, I walked away with much more than I expected. Andrea’s program is easy to understand and apply to everyday living. Much emphasis is on understanding the difference between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how little language changes help us reframe stigmatizing thoughts. I am eternally grateful to Andrea Vassilev, her story, and her pursuit and passion for reducing stigma for everyone.”
-Jeffrey A. Fox President, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of California
“The OSSiBD facilitator training was very eye-opening, thought-provoking and comprehensive. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone who lives with bipolar disorder and experiences self-stigma. I was honored to participate in the pilot training and look forward to offering the OSSiBD workshop.”
-OSSiBD trained peer facilitator
“Very much rounded and eye-opening sessions. Andrea is a great listener and understands the topic of stigma and can easily communicate her command on the subject. I recommend anyone who is struggling with identity and having doubts about themselves and or their diagnoses take her course.”
-OSSiBD trained peer facilitator

Testimonials

“The OSSiBD facilitator training was very eye-opening, thought-provoking and comprehensive. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone who lives with bipolar disorder and experiences self-stigma. I was honored to participate in the pilot training and look forward to offering the OSSiBD workshop.”
-OSSiBD trained peer facilitator
“Very much rounded and eye-opening sessions. Andrea is a great listener and understands the topic of stigma and can easily communicate her command on the subject. I recommend anyone who is struggling with identity and having doubts about themselves and or their diagnoses take her course.”
-OSSiBD trained peer facilitator

Special Thanks

Dr. Vassilev would like to extend her gratitude to the following individuals and groups for their roles in inspiring, developing, supporting, and advancing OSSiBD:

Dr. Devika Bhushan,
Dr. Döndü Çuhadar,
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of California,
Dr. Sophie Favre,
Dr. Ruth Firmin,
Dr. Jillian Hardin,
Dr. Claire Hayes,
Dr. Alicia Luckstead,
Mary Miller & the International Society for Bipolar Disorders,
Dr. Hélène Richard-Lepouriel,
Dr. Thomas Richardson,
Dr. Luisa Rotenberg,
Sara Schley and the BrainStorm the Film team,
Dr. Lindsay Sheenan,
Dr. Adam Sternberg,
and Dr. Philip Yanos.