Our Mission
The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation is dedicated to fostering awareness, understanding and research for Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder. The Foundation is on a QUEST FOR THE TEST™ to find an empirical, biomarker test for Bipolar Disorder so that early detection and early intervention become a reality.
Ryan's Story
The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation was founded in memory of Ryan Licht Sang who passed away at the age of 24. Ryan had Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder — a serious medical illness of the brain that manifests itself with recurring episodes of mania and depression. At the time of his death, he was in the most productive and promising phase of his life.
The Creativity and Stigma of Bipolar Disorder
STIGMA - Through the Eyes of A Bipolar Artist by INSIGHTS IV Grantee artist David Feingold, Ed.D., LCSW with Rebecca K. Buchalter, B.A. A thoughtful insight into the mind of an artist with bipolar disorder accompanied by his stunning digital art. Available at no charge as a Flip Book here.
A Memoir of Bipolar Disorder
Nobody Believes Crazy is an authentic memoir of Bipolar Disorder by a millennial who tears down the barriers to understanding the mania, the depression and the stigma with his true story.
Margaret Trudeau
Margaret Trudeau, Canadian icon, author and mother of Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, spoke at the Foundation's 2020 Palm Beach Bipolar Medical Briefing Luncheon about her life having Bipolar Disorder and the impact that it had on her family, her friends and her community.
Bipolar Awareness Ribbon
The Bipolar Awareness Ribbon is the symbol for The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. The black and white colors of the Bipolar Awareness Ribbon represent the opposite poles of depression and mania associated with Bipolar Disorder. The Ribbon was designed for the Foundation by Ryan's mother.
Butterfly Bipolar Awareness Pin
News from the National Institute of Mental Health
- 2021 Youth Mental Health Disparities Conference: Identifying Opportunities and Priorities in Youth Mental Health Disparities Research
- Mental Health Minute: Bipolar Disorder in Adults
- Sleep and Neurodevelopment Symposium: The Earliest Years
- Persistent, Distressing Psychotic-like Experiences Associated with Impairment in Youth
- The NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker Series: Lessons from My Journey as a Black Scientist, NIH-funded Investigator, DEI Leader, and Mental Health Advocate
INSIGHTS Art Exhibitions
The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation hosts an annual Art Exhibition entitled INSIGHTS. The Exhibition was designed to highlight the creativity of artists with Bipolar Disorder.
The INSIGHTS III Art Exhibition was held at the Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago, IL, from October 24-26, 2019.
The INSIGHTS IV Juried Art Competition, limited to Self-Portraits, in any medium, by artists with Bipolar Disorder was open for submissions from December 2, 2019 to March 31, 2020. Announcement of Grants was emailed to artists on May 19, 2020.
The INSIGHTS IV Art Exhibition was held at the Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, 325 W. Huron Street, Chicago, IL, from October 21-24, 2021.
The INSIGHTS V Art Exhibition competition is now open for submissions. Please see the listing on Juried Art Services here.
Announcements
Visit smile.amazon.com and name The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation as your charity. For every qualified purchase you make, the Foundation will receive 0.5% as a donation from Amazon.
Be social with us on Facebook and Instagram where we will be sharing about art, creativity, science and beyond in a safe space where everyone can connect.
Thanks Jersey Mike's for a Great 2021 Fundraiser
Stores that participated in the July Fundraiser:
Dog of the Year Fundraiser
Congratulations to WALDEN E. CRUMBWORTHY of Team Lockshin (left photo) on being named DOG OF THE YEAR (2020) for raising the most funds for the Foundation during this special campaign. And congratulations to BAGEL of Team Bagel (right photo) on being chosen by New York Times bestselling author Susan Wilson for having the most heartwarming story. To read Walden E. Crumbworthy and Bagel's stories, click here. Both are featured in the Winter edition of Stay Thirsty Magazine. The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation thanks all who entered this competition for their important efforts to help change the course of Bipolar Disorder.