Bipolar & Depression Outcomes Research Institute

Ethics and Oversight of BDORI Projects

Bipolar & Depression Outcomes Research Institute (BDORI) is a nonprofit focused on understanding real world outcomes for people living with bipolar and related conditions. Our projects use psychoeducation and self assessment tools, and they do not involve experimental medications or changes to anyone’s clinical care.

What BDORI does and does not do

BDORI’s work focuses on education, self monitoring, and outcomes tracking. We may invite people to participate in research or evaluation projects related to these tools.

BDORI does not provide medical care, does not diagnose, and does not replace a person’s clinician. Participation in any BDORI project should not be used as a reason to change medication or treatment without a clinician’s guidance.

Core participant protections

Across BDORI projects, we follow standard research ethics principles:

  • Participation is voluntary, and people can stop at any time
  • Participation does not affect access to the educational program itself
  • Compensation, when offered, is clearly explained in advance
  • We encourage participants to continue working with their own clinicians and not to change medication or treatment based solely on program content

Privacy and data handling

Protecting participants’ privacy is central to how we design the platform.

  • The program can be used without providing identifying information unless a participant chooses to share it.
  • Data used for research is de-identified wherever possible and analyzed in aggregate
  • Access to raw data is limited to authorized team members and research partners under appropriate agreements

Ethics review and oversight

Some BDORI projects may be internal evaluations of an educational program and platform. Other projects may be conducted in collaboration with academic or clinical partners.

When a project requires formal ethics review, it will be submitted through the appropriate university or hospital ethics committee (IRB or equivalent). When that stage is reached, the responsible institution and oversight body will be clearly identified in the study materials and consent process.

Questions or concerns

If you have questions about ethics, safety, privacy, or data use in any BDORI project, please contact us through the BDORI contact page so we can review and respond directly. We welcome serious questions and concerns and are committed to handling them transparently and respectfully.