New Online Registry Making A Difference For Individuals Living with Mental Illness

Posted: Oct 30, 2012 at 1:54 PM [Oct 30, 2012]

WeSearchTogether, a partnership between the University of Michigan Depression Center and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), announces the national launch of a website devoted to connecting people living with mood disorders to research studies in need of participants: www.WeSearchTogether.org.   Participating in a research study can benefit those living with mood disorders by helping scientists answer questions about early detection, treatment and prevention of these disorders. Although more than 21 million Americans live with mood disorders (such as / the most significant being depression or bipolar disorder), many of these individuals receive inadequate care for their illness, and less than 2% participate in research studies.  This shortage of mental health study participants poses a tremendous barrier to finding new treatments and cures for depression and bipolar.   Being in a mental health research study is a great way to help discover better treatments for people living with mental illness, learn about different mental health conditions, and earn some extra cash. WeSearchTogether lets you do just that.   WeSearchTogether matches people with and without mood disorders to studies that are in need of participants. On the website, you can also find answers to your questions about mental health research, learn more about the research process, and hear stories from real research volunteers. You can sign up at www.WeSearchTogether.org From the homepage,   1.) Click “Join the Search” on the top menu 2.) Select "I would like to participate in a study!" 3.) From here, you will create your username, password. When you’re finished, click the "Create" button. 4.) You will be asked to login again.  Once you are logged in, click on "Update Profile" and fill out the health information section and click the "Update" button once you have finished. (Note that all information provided is completely secure and the system uses this information to match you with studies that you qualify for.) 5.) You are now registered and you can feel free to search for studies that you match for from the "Manage Your Account" page.   If you have any questions about WeSearchTogether or participating in research, please email info@WeSearchTogether.org or call our toll-free number 866-487-0510.   - The WeSearchTogether Team