About

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research is the first 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the scientific investigation of the link between bipolar disorder and artistic, literary & musical creativity.

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research upholds our pioneer credential by pursuing four objectives that are close to our heart:

1) Immortalize the memory of American blues musician Sean Costello (1979–2008);

2) Support research that seeks to expand our understanding of the significance of the correlation between bipolar disorder and creative ability;

3) Advocate for those living with bipolar disorder—especially teenagers, women and men ages 14 to 45, including vulnerable members of the blues & other music communities; and

4) Fight the social stigma that often nips at the heels of people—and the families of those—battling bipolar disorder.

Advocates — Interested in advocating for those living with bipolar disorder and believe the Fund to be a good fit? We need supporters like you!

Researchers — If you find that our mission piques your scientific curiosity, Deborah Ann Smith, our founder, chairwoman emeritus and Sean’s mom, would love to hear from you.

Mental health professionals — Are you engaged in diagnosing, treating and/or mitigating the stigma associated with bipolar disorder? If so, we would appreciate making your acquaintance and exploring opportunities to extend further help to people living with bipolar disorder.

WHO BENEFITS?

Our research, advocacy & stigma-reduction initiatives benefit three distinct but intertwined groups, besides bipolar individuals themselves:

i) The support community that rallies spontaneously behind the person battling bipolar disorder.

This group represents the individual’s microculture and may include loved ones, friends, colleagues, community members, band mates, mentors, and the like.

ii) The creative society of artists, authors, and musicians.

This community wields tremendous cultural influence that potentially can be roped in to:

• spotlight bipolar disorder and those living with it;

• bust the many misconceptions that surround it;

• fight the stigma associated with the condition; and

• pave the way for the wider integration of bipolar individuals into the community.

iii) Public representatives and mental health professionals.

The decisions legislators make can cast a very long shadow on mental health policies and practices, not to mention the often underrepresented and underfunded mental health profession.

If you (or someone you know)

have been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder or need more information about the condition and its link with creative ability, we invite you to explore our website’s Education or Creativity section.

PLEASE NOTE: If you (or someone you know) believe you are in urgent need of help or are experiencing a mental health crisis, we urge you to call 911 and inform the operator about your psychiatric emergency.

You can otherwise call (Mon–Fri; 10 a.m.–6 p.m.), text, or email the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for help:
1-800-950-NAMI (6264) | Text ‘NAMI’ to 74174 | Email info@nami.org | Visit nami.org

EVEN A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY

To support our mission financially, we would appreciate your personal donation. If you are a business, please write us for information about becoming one of our donors, sponsors or partners.

DONATE

So far, we have mobilized resources for our research, advocacy & anti-stigma activities generally via social media, benefit concerts, and the generosity of private individuals.

By making a donation, buying our merchandise and spreading the word (on social media, your website, your social networks, etc.) about us as well as the important work we do, individuals like you help us magnify our impact and influence in measurable ways.