Maybe it’s bipolar? campaign wins Silver People’s Choice Award

Thanks to the support of our amazing community, the Maybe it’s bipolar? campaign film has won the Silver People’s Choice Award at the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards.

The Smiley Charity Film Awards takes place each year and recognises the most powerful and impactful charity filmmaking across the UK. The People’s Choice award is voted for by the public and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who watched, voted and supported the film.

Shaped by lived experience

The award-winning film was co-created by Bipolar UK ambassadors Rosie Viva and April Kelley, and follows a day in the life of someone living with undiagnosed bipolar. Shown in a split-screen format, we see both the highs and lows of the condition, with a powerful spoken-word voiceover further illustrating the inner struggle.

The film was brought to life by a cast and crew with lived experience of bipolar. From concept to the final cut, their real lives shaped every piece of the creative process.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to everyone involved in the production.

Why the Maybe it’s bipolar? campaign matters

It’s estimated that 1 million people in the UK have bipolar. However, 56% don’t yet have a diagnosis.

On average, it takes 9.5 years to receive a diagnosis of bipolar, preventing access to life-changing treatment and specialist support. In this time, misdiagnosis is common and relationships, friendships, careers and daily lives can be seriously affected.

The Maybe it’s bipolar? campaign exists to change that. The earlier someone with bipolar gets a diagnosis and can access specialist treatment, the better their long-term outcome.

It’s about helping people recognise the potential signs of bipolar earlier, feel less alone in what they’re experiencing, and encouraging them to take their first step towards understanding.

The impact since launch

Since the campaign launched in November 2025, the bipolar test has been taken over 50,000 times. This tells us that more people than ever before are spotting the signs of bipolar, reflecting on their experiences and thinking about a potential diagnosis.

In addition to winning this award, since the launch of the campaign:

• we’ve reached over 15 million people through our PR activity, with articles in both national and regional publications
• we’ve reached 1.6 million people through social media, raising awareness of the often over-looked signs of hypomania
• over 3,000 people have downloaded the Bipolar Diagnosis Journal, an interactable handbook for people starting out on their diagnosis journey

Winning the Silver People's Choice Award is a meaningful moment for the Maybe it's bipolar? campaign and we'd like to once again thank everyone who casted their vote. Our focus remains on continuing the conversation, reaching even more people who may be living with undiagnosed bipolar and reducing the appalling 9.5 year diagnosis delay.