Bipolar disorder (BD) is a serious mental illness that can cause unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. An estimated 2.8% of U.S. adults (around 7 million people) had BD in the past year. In observance of World Bipolar Day (March 30), this webinar will review BD symptoms and treatment with a goal to decreasing misconceptions and increasing timely help seeking. It will also discuss factors that may present as barriers to early intervention in the Black community.
Jemima Kankam, MD, DLFAPA is a board-certified psychiatrist and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. She is the Medical Director for Outpatient Psychiatric Services at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Kankam received her medical training at the University of Ghana Medical School (Accra, Ghana, Africa), and later completed her psychiatric residency at University of Maryland Medical System in 1990. Before her current position began, she was in private practice for 25 years. Dr. Kankam received the American Psychiatric Association 2020 Assembly Award for Excellence in Service and Advocacy. She is also a member of the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America. Her areas of special interest are promoting public education to increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma, and improving mental health awareness in the general medical community.
Annelle Primm MD, MPH is the Senior Medical Director of the Steve Fund, an organization focused on the mental health of young people of color. She is also a member of the Black Psychiatrists of America Council of Elders.
This webinar is part of the Health Equity Webinar Series, an ongoing collaboration between the Central East MHTTC and the Black Psychiatrists of America to increase education and awareness surrounding mental health in the Black community.
