Mental Illness Awareness Week: Publisher of bipolar and depression magazines honored

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 2-8) focuses attention on efforts to educate the public and rally support for people living with mental health challenges.

It's also an excellent opportunity to bring attention to publisher JoAnne Doan and her ground-breaking publications dedicated to people living with bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. Doan was recognized this year with a Folio: Top Women in Media award in the Entrepreneurs category for meeting the challenges of growing a pioneering publication for this readership.

When Doan launched bp Magazine in 2004, there was no consumer publication dedicated to serving the 5.7 million Americans with bipolar disorder.  

"I wanted to create the equivalent of a newsstand women's magazine so that someone reading bp on a plane or on their lunch hour wouldn't feel stigmatized," Doan says.

It is still the only publication of its kind providing accessible information and inspiration on living well with bipolar.

With esperanza (Spanish for "hope"), Doan extended her mission to individuals living with depression and anxiety disorders. That magazine is celebrating its 8^th year this fall.

Doan has responded to changes in the mental health and media environments by launching websites' redesign last year which host forums, videos and award-winning blogs with social media being primary traffic drivers.

Folio, a trade organization for magazine publishing professionals, recognized Doan at an awards luncheon at the Yale Club in New York City in June. A small independent publisher, she was honored alongside professionals from industry heavy-hitters such as Condé Nast and Hearst Magazine.

Both bp Magazine and esperanza exemplify the message of Mental Illness Awareness Week. As Doan says, our magazines and websites "create a sense of community, helping people know they are not alone, that bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety are common brain illnesses that can be successfully treated."

Published four times a year, the magazines offer celebrity profiles (Richard Dreyfuss, Kristen Bell, Demi Lovato, Lady Gaga, Howie Mandel, Carrie Fisher and many more), first-person success stories, columns by people with lived experience, and healthy lifestyle articles.

The magazines go to doctor's offices, with a rate base of 50,000. One and two-year print and digital subscriptions are available through www.bphope.com  (for bp Magazine) and www.hopetocope.com (for esperanza).

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Office:
374 Delaware Ave.
#240
Buffalo, NY 14202

SOURCE bp Magazine

Related Links

http://www.bphope.com