Recent studies have shown that mental illness affects more people every year than cancer or heart disease.
If one lives with bipolar disorder, quality care can be difficult to access. People living with bipolar disorder are often branded as being uniquely different, leaving them feeling isolated and alone.
Insurance firm GasanMamo is supporting the Be Positive Bipolar Self Help, Malta group in its quest to help people suffering from bipolar disorder. The company is endorsing a national awareness campaign to provide a friendly, safe and positive environment for these people and their carers to express themselves, share experiences and be more aware of this condition and how best to deal with it.
Bipolar disorder is a severe mental health condition characterised by significant mood swings, including manic highs and depressive lows. Many individuals with this condition experience alternating episodes of mania and depression. Be Positive Bipolar Self Help, Malta is a non-profit organisation founded by Albert and Lina McCarthy in 2015 aimed at breaking the stigma about mental health and helping others suffering from the same condition and their carers.
The group organises self-help groups for people suffering from this disorder. The meetings are confidential and members meet to share and discuss their experiences as they deem fit. Through these groups, people empower themselves to improve their quality of life and of those around them.
“At GasanMamo we felt the need to join this campaign and encourage people to be open about bipolar disorder. The condition itself is a contradiction. While people living with a mood disorder can be creative, outgoing and friendly, many times the public perception focuses on outward manifestations, such as unpredictable behaviour, erratic thoughts and impulsive decisions. Regrettably, people living with bipolar disorder still confront a society that can be cold and uncaring, and we feel it’s our responsibility to give a helping hand and advocate positive change,” said general manager Mark Mamo.
The company supported various events organised by Be Positive Bipolar Self Help, Malta to celebrate World Bipolar Day on March 30.