CEO of Bipolar UK, Simon Kitchen, responds to Baroness Merron’s World Bipolar Day announcement

Today (30 March 2026), Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, has posted to LinkedIn an acknowledgement of World Bipolar Day, highlighting its importance and using it as an opportunity to announce that NHS England (NHSE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) are both signing up to Bipolar UK’s Bipolar Friendly Workplace Scheme. 

World Bipolar Day provides the perfect opportunity to learn about what bipolar is and isn’t in a bid to improve sensitivity, reduce stigma and highlight the needs of the community. By adopting our bipolar-friendly workplace training, NHSE and the DHSC are ensuring they are making the most of the talents that people affected by bipolar can bring to their workplace, removing any barriers faced by those living with the condition.  

While many people within our community are extremely resilient and strong, they are also tired of fighting for their right to be heard and for the support they need and deserve, especially in the workplace. Our workplace scheme equips businesses and establishments with the knowledge to improve their practices and change cultures to ensure people affected by bipolar can fulfil their potential at work.  

This commitment towards a bipolar-inclusive civil service, along with the executives making strategic decisions regarding our national health service, is monumental for our community. It is expected to foster a bipolar-friendly and empathetic work environment, which has the potential to trickle down and positively influence patient care in the long term.  

It is estimated that over a million people in the UK live with bipolar, and many manage the condition well. However, we regularly hear from people who are struggling at work or falling out of employment altogether, not because they can’t or don’t want to work, but because the right care isn’t in place.  

There are several reasonable adjustments that can help people with bipolar better able to manage in the workplace. Many of these are neither expensive nor difficult to implement, such as flexible working arrangements, time off for medical appointments, and support plans following episodes of illness.  

The benefits of empowering people with bipolar are enormous, for individuals, their families, employers, the NHS and the wider economy. The charity has worked with, and continues to support, thousands of people with bipolar who are working successfully across a wide range of sectors. 

Building bipolar‑friendly workplaces benefits everyone and we look forward to sharing our knowledge with both DHSC and NHS England so they can establish a new standard for workplaces across the UK, encouraging more businesses to sign up and join the movement to create a workplace culture that truly benefits the bipolar community.  

Learn more about Bipolar UK’s Bipolar-friendly Workplace Scheme.  

You can read Baroness Merron’s full post below: 

"Today is World Bipolar Day.  

"Over one million people in the UK live with bipolar, a condition that can have a profound impact on people’s daily lives and work. Sadly, it takes an average of 9.5 years to get an accurate diagnosis of bipolar in the UK.  

"We all have a role to play in improving our understanding and the support available so that people with bipolar can live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives. I'm so pleased that both NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are taking a positive first step by joining Bipolar UK’s Bipolar Friendly Workplace initiative. I strongly encourage other employers and organisations to sign up to this important initiative.  

"This World Bipolar Day, Bipolar UK are also running a series of online events to help everyone understand more about what bipolar is and to eradicate the harmful stigma that many people with bipolar sadly still experience. I encourage you to take a look at the Bipolar UK website for further information."