Bipolar support group send message of congratulations to Sir Steven Fry

THE Warrington Bipolar support group has sent Sir Steven Fry their heartiest congratulations on his New Year’s Honour and to all who have received honours in the town for their great service.

They say Sir Steven fry has done so much to champion mental health awareness over the years especially for those like him who suffer from the chronic illness of bipolar and its manic episodes, high and low.

Geoff Settle, facilitator of the Warrington Bipolar Support Group said it’s because of people like Sir Steven Fry that support groups exist in places such as Warrington where people talk. Stephen Fry opens up about his battle with mental health | Watch

Geoff said: “I was able to set the group up at the Gateway nine years ago using a portion of the funds raised during my mayoral year 2015/16. As someone who has knowingly lived with the illness since 1997 it wasn’t until 2016 that I became a facilitator and shared my experiences with the group for a two-hour session on the first Tuesday of each month.
“I have learnt so much from group members lived experiences as well as doing research at Lancaster and Manchester Universities to learn about what triggers bipolar episodes and how to recover from them. I’ve even shared my experiences with clinical psychology students in lectures I have given at Chester and Manchester Universities. I think that it is because Sir Stephen Fry talks openly and honestly that I have been able to follow his lead.
“There have been many different types of people and their friends/family who have walked through the doors of the Gateway, where we hold our meetings. For most it is the first time in their lives that they have spoken about their diagnosis, and it is a very powerful moment for them. They soon realise that what they thought was just happening to them is happening to many more people.
Geoff added: “Sir Steven is obviously a very high profile celebratory who has communicated his bipolar lived experiences though his books, TV documentaries and conversations on the Bipolar web site Bipolar UK National UK Charity attempting to remove the perceived stigma. In the nine years that I have been open about my condition I have noted a positive change in mental health awareness as more and more celebrities, especially in the arts, tell their stories.”