SEAN COSTELLO ~ April 16, 1979 – April 15, 2008

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund was founded in Sean’s name for two main reasons: to remove the stigma of the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and to support research to provide evidence-based care to creative persons, with a musician as our muse. 

 

I have written at length about the delay in diagnosis (7-10 years), the roll of the dice with medication, and the use of substances to deal with the confusion and challenges of moods (50% of people with bipolar disorder are addicted to alcohol). Unfortunately, not much in treatment has changed since Sean prematurely left this world. 

SEAN'S 1953 LES PAUL GOLDTOP DONATED TO GIBSON

As of August 2025, Sean Costello's iconic 1953 Les Paul Gold Top now resides at the Gibson "Vault" in Nashville, Tennessee. The instrument was placed there to reside with other notable guitars, with the special provision that it may be borrowed by artists touring in Nashville to ensure it continues to be played. The Gibson Garage Vault in Nashville is an exclusive, invitation-only space housing rare, historic, and collectible instruments. While the Gibson Garage is open to the public, access to the Vault itself is typically restricted to special guests or private events.

World Bipolar Day “Ask Me Anything”

March 30 was International Bipolar Day. The Fund's founder, Debbie Costello Smith, participated with eighty-two others at the invitation of the Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder (CREST.BD), in a two-day international online question and answer session about bipolar disorder. There were thousands of questions posed on a myriad of topics to providers who volunteered their time. The experience underscored the mission of the Fund: Research. This is why SCMFBR has supported evidence‑based studies that help creative people—especially musicians—receive better care. The AMA is available online via Reddit:

PolarUs: An App to Support Quality of Life

PolarUs is a mobile application that puts bipolar disorder research into the hands of the people who need it most. At the heart of the PolarUs app is evidence-backed and globally-recognized Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder scale, which helps people with bipolar disorder to measure and monitor their quality of life. It also empowers people to identify and apply the evidence-based self-management strategies, with the goal of guiding them towards health and quality of life.

 

PolarUs is developed by CREST.BD, The Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder, who are dedicated to working in tandem with people who live with bipolar disorder.

Sean Costello Songs on Vinyl

We've asked before, but continue to compile recommendations as The Estate of Sean Costello plans on creating a vinyl record to commemorate Sean.

 

What Sean Costello songs should be included on Sean's first vinyl record?