MP attends Warrington support group meeting for those with bipolar
Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North, attended the Warrington Bipolar UK Support Group (WBSG) to mark its nine and a half years of supporting individuals with bipolar disorder.
The visit followed recent discussions around Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and gave Ms Nichols the chance to take part in a typical group meeting.
(Image: Supplied) Ms Nichols said: "Thank you to the Bipolar UK support group in Warrington for inviting me to join their meeting tonight, 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.
"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."
The group was founded in 2016 by former mayor of Warrington Geoff Settle, who used funds from his mayoral charities.
Mr Settle 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."
He has taken courses to better support members, including suicide prevention training with Warrington-based charity Papyrus.
Mr Settle 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."
(Image: Supplied) The group meets regularly to provide a safe space for individuals to share experiences and support one another.
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."
More information and resources for those affected by bipolar are available at bipolaruk.org.
Support is also available by emailing info@bipolaruk.org or calling 0333 323 3880.
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