World Bipolar Day 30th March 2023

World Bipolar Day aims to raise awareness, increase understanding and tackle the stigma associated with this condition. The event takes place on 30^th March, the birthday of  Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition. Find out more about what bi-polar is, who has it and how it can impact someone’s life What is bipolar? (bipolaruk.org).

Working with bipolar disorder can pose significant challenges, but employment can also be beneficial. Working a supportive and rewarding job may help improve self esteem, give a sense of purpose, and offer opportunities for personal growth and social connection (Bipolar and Work: Problems, Accommodations, and Stress). Indeed, people with bipolar who understand their illness and who have found the appropriate self-management techniques can find that their work isn’t significantly affected.

All employers have a duty of care to support their employees’ wellbeing at the workplace. As part of its commitment to support the industry, the Recruitment Employment Confederation (REC) has partnered with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to deliver training courses for staff to become Mental Health First Aiders at work. Offering mental health first aid training helps staff and managers to spot the signs of stress and anxiety, and to signpost staff for support. REC recognised the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and dedicated a space on their website providing a wealth of resources including presentations and podcasts (Mental Health and Well-being: In focus :: The REC).

Acas (the Government’s Advisory Conciliary and Arbitration Service) provide information and guidance for supporting mental health at work and advise that poor mental health can be considered a disability even if they do not have symptoms all the time. By law (Equality Act 2010) someone with poor mental health can be considered to be disabled if:

• it has a 'substantial adverse effect' on their life – for example, they regularly cannot focus on a task, or it takes them longer to complete tasks
• it lasts, or is expected to last, at least 12 months
• it affects their ability to do their normal day-to-day activities – for example, interacting with people, following instructions or keeping to set working times

Acas recommend working with employees to agree adjustments to help them carry out their job without being at a disadvantage. Simple changes to working arrangements or responsibilities can make a difference, such as allowing more rest breaks or helping individuals to prioritise their daily workload (Understanding mental health and the law: Supporting mental health at work - Acas).

Bipolar UK have also produced a really helpful guide for employers to find appropriate management techniques and practical work-based strategies to support employees in order to help them successfully contribute to the organisation (https://www.bipolaruk.org - Download.ashx (bipolaruk.org).

How to mark World Bipolar Day and raise awareness:

• Encourage understanding by watching and sharing this free eLearning course
• Share posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #letstalkbipolar
• Donate
• Fundraise

Lizzy Turek

Client Research Associate