About OBAD

Since 1998, the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder (OBAD) has been providing peer support for individuals living with mood disorders. What began as a weekly drop-in meeting in Calgary, facilitated by trained volunteers with lived experience, has grown into a supportive community grounded in understanding, acceptance, and hope.

Since 2022, OBAD’s peer support meetings have been facilitated by adults with lived experience who are trained, certified, and compensated for their work.

Today, OBAD offers multiple peer support sessions for individuals living with mood disorders, as well as for their families and friends.

Our Mission

We are committed to creating a supportive community where individuals can share their experiences, learn coping strategies, and openly express themselves. With a foundation rooted in lived experience, peer support is essential for wellness and recovery.

“Peer support programs can help alleviate some of the pressure on Canada’s strained healthcare system by reducing not only the need for hospitalization, but also the emotional distress experienced by patients. They also help people develop the skills they need to take charge of their lives. Yet despite these benefits, peer support is still undervalued by the mental health community… People can experience great improvements in their lives through relatively small investments in peer support but growing and sustaining such initiatives requires adequate funding.”

— Mental Health Commission of Canada