Story By PETER McLoughlin, SENIOR PARTNERSHIP OFFICER, BIPOLAR UK

World Bipolar Day takes place on the 30 March every year and is a great ​opportunity to encourage understanding of bipolar and reduce stigma of ​this much misunderstood mental health condition.

As a partner of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, Bipolar UK is inviting Rotary ​members and clubs to join them in marking the day and helping to raise ​awareness in their communities.

1 in 50 people are living with bipolar in the UK and it’s estimated that for every ​person living with the condition, a further five people are closely affected ​through family and friends. That means that many people living in our local ​communities and within our Rotary networks will be affected.

Bipolar UK offers comprehensive online and local in-person peer support ​through their peer support line, email service, eCommunity and peer support ​group network as well as free online resources and tools to help people get a ​diagnosis and manage the condition well. The good news is that, with the right ​treatment and support, people can and do lead good lives when they’re living ​with bipolar.

However, Bipolar UK faces an ongoing challenge. 56% of people with bipolar are ​undiagnosed and not getting the treatment and support that could help them ​stay well. It takes a shocking average of 9.5 years to get a diagnosis, and during ​this ‘lost decade’ people are at risk of untreated symptoms which can result in ​losing their job, relationships, homes and, tragically, their lives. Recent research ​indicates that up to 1 in 5 people living with bipolar will go on to take their own ​life.

With Rotary’s help, Bipolar UK is highlighting the symptoms of bipolar and ​signposting to information and support that could save lives.

During our first year of partnership, Bipolar UK has spoken at Rotary clubs, districts and multi-district events. Rotary clubs have committed to help, organising awareness-raising events, joining Bipolar UK’s Pole to Pole challenge and distributing educational resources in their communities.

Rotary has also launched of the very first cause-based bipolar eClub, where Bipolar UK’s CEO, Simon Kitchen, is the President.

The Rotary Bipolar eClub is now inviting clubs across Great Britain and Ireland to join them and support ‘Rotary for World Bipolar Day’.

In the North East, Simon will be joining with Rotary clubs in the area for an epic walk covering the distance of 9.5 half marathons over 9.5 days (9.5 representing the years it takes to get a diagnosis).

In the South, Stratford and Cuckfield Lindfield & Haywards Heath will be hosting stalls in their local shopping centres, with the latter encouraging the public to clock up kms on static bikes to help us achieve our Pole-to-Pole challenge.

In Sutton, Rotary will be working with Sutton Mental Health Foundation to provide a drop-in session. Many other clubs are getting involved by dedicating their Easter events to World Bipolar Day.

To get involved in any way, big or small, please join us and take part in World

Bipolar Day by contacting Peter Mcloughlin, Senior Partnership Officer at rotary@bipolaruk.org.

We would also like to invite you to join Bipolar UK’s online conference on 30 March, World Bipolar Day itself, to hear more about the work of Bipolar UK.