(image: Mind/Rethink Mental Illness)

Time to Talk Day is today and it is ‘the nation’s biggest mental health conversation’. This year’s theme is Brave the Big Talk, have conversations about mental health experiences that might feel a bit unspoken, with an aim to destigmatise mental health issues.

Today I would like to talk about living in remission with Bipolar 1 Disorder (I was diagnosed aged 16 in 2004 and am now 37!). I am lucky that although the illness I have when unmedicated is severe- I have had episodes of psychosis and mania and suicidal depression, and been hospitalised twice, I live in remission these days.

What does remission mean to me?

• It means my medication (Lithium and Quetaipine- a mood stabiliser and anti psychotic) stops the very high (manic) and very low (depressive) moods and I can cope better. I am still a work in progress but its way less severe!

• It means that although I have ongoing therapy to deal with past trauma, I don’t need to see a psychiatrist at present and am managed by my GP.

• It also means that I don’t have to worry too much about bipolar episodes, which is not the same for everyone with our illness! I do however still struggle with anxiety, which I have spoken about before and some days can be harder than others.

Time to Talk Day say, ‘ Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. It can even save lives. Talking can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it.‘

So whether you talk to a friend or an employee or listen to someone else, you can be making a big difference today. Find more about getting involved here: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/time-to-talk-day/

Thanks to Mind and Rethink Mental Illness for creating such an important day,

Eleanor