MDF The BiPolar Organisation
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MDF The Bipolar Organisation was established in 1983 to enable people affected by bipolar disorder to take control of their lives. They are unique in being the only organisation specialising in support for bipolar disorder and are one of the largest user-led organisations in the mental health sector, with 5,000 members.
Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a frightening and exhausting mental illness that affects nearly 2% of the population. It is a serious and lifelong illness for which there is no cure, and which has a suicide rate 10 times greater than that for the general population. There is enormous stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and mental illness in general, which contributes to the considerable burden with which people with bipolar live.
Over 20,000 people benefit from their services each year. These include a national network of 130 support groups in the UK, an interactive website, a legal advice line, information and publications, travel insurance and life assurance, and self management for people with bipolar disorder. They also campaign for more research into the causes of bipolar disorder and its treatment, and dispel the fear and stigma surrounding this condition and mental ill health in general.
