Maybe it’s bipolar? is coming to Brighton

The Maybe it’s bipolar? campaign is coming to Brighton this autumn, encouraging students and young adults to learn about common symptoms of bipolar.

The campaign so far

The Maybe it’s bipolar? campaign launched in November 2025, aiming to reduce the 9.5-year diagnosis delay, raise awareness of symptoms and encourage people who may be living with undiagnosed bipolar to take their first steps towards finding answers.

The campaign specifically focuses on the often-overlooked symptoms of hypomania such as lack of sleep, irritability, hypersexual behaviour, increased risk-taking and impulsive spending.

Since launching, the campaign has produced an award-winning short film, reached over 2 million people on social media and inspired over 90,000 people to take the bipolar test to learn more about whether they may be living with bipolar.

Why is the campaign important for younger people?

More than half of people living with bipolar first experience symptoms before the age of 21, yet the average age for people to get a diagnosis of bipolar is around 34 years old.

This means many young people are arriving at university experiencing symptoms, but without a diagnosis or the support they deserve to stay well and enjoy their studies.

Starting university naturally brings major changes to sleep, routine, responsibilities and finances. For someone living with bipolar, these changes may trigger symptoms or make existing symptoms more difficult to manage.

Hypomania can be particularly difficult to recognise, with symptoms such as lack of sleep, hypersexuality and impulsive spending often being dismissed as typical student behaviour.

Getting a diagnosis can help people better understand their experiences, access the right treatment and support, and take steps to manage their symptoms. Without that, the impact on education, relationships, work and wellbeing can be significant.

What are we doing in Brighton?

Outreach

Throughout September and October, we'll be bringing the campaign directly to students across Brighton, starting with the University of Sussex Freshers Fair.

We'll be meeting students, sharing resources and raising awareness of the campaign to help more young people understand what bipolar is, recognise symptoms and where to turn for support.

We’re also working directly with the university and the student union to make sure our resources are available in wellbeing spaces across campus, keeping students informed of the support available.

Advertising

In early October, we'll be launching the Maybe it's bipolar? advertising campaign across Brighton, with a particular focus on changes in sleep as a symptom of hypomania and mania.

While late nights are often seen as part of student life, a reduced need for sleep can be a key sign of bipolar. In a Bipolar UK survey, 80% of people living with bipolar told us that changes in sleep had triggered an episode or relapse, highlighting the important role that sleep plays in recognising and managing the condition.

The campaign will feature a new creative developed specifically for Brighton and will appear across the city’s bus stops, train stations and buses, as well as digital screens at the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton throughout October.

Keep an eye out and let us know if you spot the campaign around the city.

How can you support the campaign?

1. Sharing our campaign content on social media, particularly our Instagram series on bipolar and university
2. Watching and sharing our award-winning campaign film, Maybe it’s bipolar?
3. Taking the bipolar test or share it with someone who may be experiencing symptoms, to help them learn more about their experiences.