 Our longstanding engagement with the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI, the preeminent patient advocacy organization addressing issues around bipolar disorder has shaped our study aims and our focus on measurable outcomes of particular concern to patients. We will solicit regular input from a local patient and family advisory panel assembled with NAMIs assistance on the refinement of methods, interpretation of study findings, shaping of recommendations, and dissemination of results. As study consultant, NAMI Medical Director Dr. Ken Duckworth will guide meetings of the patient panel and contribute perspectives from the broader community of patients and clinicians dealing with bipolar illness. Dr. Greg Simon, Director of the US Mental Health Research Network, will provide national expertise on patient experiences with serious mental illness in health plans. 