City Bridge Trust – Monitoring Visit Report Organisation: Grant ref: Programme area: MDF The BiPolar 9999 03. Improving Londoners' Organisation Mental Health\b) Children & young people Amount, date and purpose of grant: 09/09/2010: £105,000 over three years (3 x £35,000) for the salary costs of a Youth Co-ordinator for London. Visiting Grants Officer: John Merivale Date of meeting: 19th August 2011 Met with: Suzanne Hudson, Chief Executive; Richard Ellis, Postholder 1. Introduction to the organisation: Established in the mid-eighties, MDF The BiPolar Organisation is a national user-led charity for people affected by bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorder (often referred to as manic depression) is a serious mental health problem involving extreme swings of mood (highs and lows). Both men and women of any age from adolescence onwards, and from any social background, may develop the condition. It often first occurs when work, study, family or emotional pressures are at their greatest. In women it can also be triggered by childbirth or menopause. The illness is episodic, i.e. occurs in phases, but it is possible to remain well for long periods. Typically, the key to coping is an early diagnosis by a qualified mental health specialist, and acceptance of the condition. Severe and/or untreated episodes can be very damaging to the sufferer and to their families and friends. MDF has recently moved to a new base in Victoria, a building it occupies with many other charities. It has other offices in Crewe and Newport. Importantly, it runs a national network of self-help groups stretching from Jersey to Northern Ireland – these provide advice on living with the condition, organise self-management training programmes, and support people with employment issues. It currently has in the region of 4,500 members. A year ago, MDF faced serious financial challenges, having been over-dependent on trusts and foundations and drawn heavily upon its reserves. A new Chief Executive joined this summer, and there is a new fundraising strategy and support from a few Corporates including a health company. Its funding campaign has been supported by Stephen Fry, whose award-winning documentary – The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive – was very effective in raising public awareness. 2. The project funded: This application was for support to London‟s student population which numbers around ¼ million in the 18-25 age range. A 2005 survey estimated that one in four students would experience some form of mental distress while at university. Given the relationship between bipolar disorder and incidences of stress or emotional upheaval, the need for an effective support system is unsurprising – and MDF knew through its advice lines and web interface that other support for young people is patchy, and often lacking. Under a project named London Youth, a Co-ordinator has been appointed to target London colleges and universities with information about bipolar disorder – how to identify and manage symptoms – and where to get help. The plan then is to help and train people to set up self-help groups and to learn techniques to self-manage the condition. Payroll information was checked, and the grant from City Bridge Trust will be separately shown in the charity‟s accounts. 3. Work delivered to date: The first key is the relationship with colleges. There are 22 Universities in London, and 18 of them had been contacted, both on the Staff side and the Student Union side. So far, five (Kingston, City, King‟s College, Queen Mary‟s & Croydon) are actively engaged, with groups that will start this autumn term. In this first year of the project, MDF has: Supported over 140 young people through these groups Reached out to many more – for example, information has been sent to over 600 individuals affected, and to community groups and NHS Trusts Responded to 2-3 direct enquiries per week – these have been prompted by the promotional literature and a “health-special” in the London and South East editions of the Big Issue Developed from scratch a social media presence on Twitter – with Facebook to follow Established a central London self-help group, open to all in age group 18-25, not just those in higher education – 12 people have joined this Developed a comprehensive Group Facilitators‟ Handbook. All this is on target with the original intentions, while the Central London self-help group is an unexpected addition. 4. Difference made: Feedback to date shows firm appreciation for the information and for a safe place in which to meet others and share experience. Contact with parents & relatives has also provided relief from anxiety. It has proven particularly helpful for young people to discuss concerns in the first instance with another who is informed and empathic, but not a GP or medical professional. Nevertheless, there is a „slow burn‟ until people pick up the courage to attend a group meeting. University Counsellors have been very glad of the support – they are generally over- stretched and there is no risk of duplication on this topic. Even so, the university timetables, high staff turnover, and the short length of terms have caused delays in setting up some campus groups. 5. Concluding comments: Most of us will experience mood swings. On a scale of 1 to 10, we hover around the 4-6 mark, but a Bipolar sufferer may experience violent cyclical changes, or a prevalence of lows. The good news is that the illness can be managed. Medication plays a part, but it is mainly about understanding, early diagnosis, holistic and complementary therapies, and self-management. London Youth is proving a valuable pathway of support for individuals affected, and for their families. .