MP engages with the BipolarUK peer support group

WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols joined the Warrington Bipolar UK Support Group (WBSG) to celebrate nine-and-a-half years as an entity.

Sadly 9.5 years is also the average length of time it takes to receive a bipolar diagnosis of the chronic and debilitating illness that has no cure.
After the recent PIPs controversy, the WBSG invited Ms Nichols to participate in a typical meeting. That evening she wrote “Thank you to the Bipolar UK support group in Warrington for inviting me to join their meeting, and for everyone’s openness in speaking about their experiences of the condition and how it impacts their lives.
“The conversation was really wide-ranging, with people with a variety of different backgrounds, and in a really safe, supportive and welcoming environment.
1% to 2% of the population experience a lifetime prevalence of bipolar and recent research suggests as many as 5% of us are on the bipolar spectrum.
Ms Nichols said: ““That is about 1.3 million people in the UK, but despite this it isn’t well-understood and access to effective treatment and support can often be patchy. I was shocked to learn tonight that it takes on average 9.5 years to get a correct diagnosis of bipolar and there is a misdiagnosis an average of 3.5 times.”
Former Mayor of Warrington, Geoff Settle facilitates the bipolar group meetings that he started in 2016 using money from his mayoral charities. He said “My introduction to bipolar was at work. I had just finished a major IT project that seemed like a battle, and I became a zombie at home (depression). However, when I moved to a new project, I became over enthusiastic, (manic). My boss couldn’t cope, and he said, “Go and see your GP and don’t come back until you are well.” Fortunately, my wife had a colleague at Liverpool University in the Psychology Department who convinced her Professor Richard P. Bentall to see me as a favour. He is a renowned clinical psychologist, and it took him no time to diagnose me as living with bipolar. He recommended I take lithium and told me to read “An Unquiet Mind” by Professor Kay Redfield. This was lightning-fast diagnosis in days NOT 9.5 years.
“My boss had said take as long as you want off work and I did. There were no services at the time, so I went back to what I like, running, yoga, painting. In addition, I organised a couple of charity runs. I knew my employment rights and sought confirmation from my union. During my return to work interview my boss and the HR manager left the room to get coffee. There was a sheet of paper on the desk face down which outlined their strategy. By the time they returned I knew what they had been advised.”

Since then, Geoff has always sought mentors, Mary Clarke taught him an array of team building and facilitation skills. He was a guinea pig in Liz Tyler’s 12-month PhD research thesis at Lancaster University on how ‘Older People’ like him have coped well with the chronic lifelong illness. Professor Fiona Lobban took him through a version of CBT and communications skills.
He said “I became a facilitator because I wanted to share my experiences and help others. When new members join, they often say that they have never talked to another bipolar person and that no one understands how they feel. Some break down crying when they tell their story but when it’s time to leave they usually depart with a smile on their face.
The recent Bipolar UK commission found that 1 in 50 people are on the bipolar spectrum and that 1 in 5 bipolar people commit suicide. With those figures in mind, he signed up for a Papyrus “prevent suicide” course run by the Warrington based charity. He said “Suicide is the elephant in the room. Mental Health has always been low on the list of priorities and services, so I need to be prepared.
“If you search BBC’s Lifeline (iPlayer) there is currently a Bipolar feature www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002gjk3 via @bbciplayer is well worth a view.
“The bipolarUK.org web site contains a wealth of information sheets for families and friends, YouTube case studies and interviews, mood scale, mood diary/app, secure & monitored discussion forum, pier support and lots more. Contact BipolarUK via email [email protected] or call them on 0333 323 3880.”