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  1. FAQs

Family, carers and friends

A diagnosis of bipolar can be disorientating for family and friends. Being a carer can be demanding - read other people's stories and learn how to help and support your loved one who is living with bipolar.

Family and Friends

Helpful links to other websites and organisations that can offer help and support to family, friends and carers.

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Carers UK
Help and support for people who are looking after other people.


Young Minds
Support and information for people caring for a young person with a mental health condition


Family Action
provides specialist mental health and wellbeing services for adults, working with the individual directly affected as well as their children and families.


SOBS - Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Aims to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend.


Cruse Bereavement Care
Offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies, and to enhance society's care of bereaved people.


Home-Start
Helps families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them. They support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.


Family Lives
Runs a 24 hour Confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222, Live online chat, Email support service, Parentchannel.tv, Forums, Online parenting courses, In your area


National Family Mediation
Provide free family mediation now available for separating couples. Help and support everyone involved.


Relate
Counselling for adults with relationship difficulties.


Carers Trust
Dedicated support for unpaid carers including young carers through a network of local carer organisations.


Last updated: 25 January 2023

Published: 1st September, 2015

Updated: 25th January, 2023

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Do I have to tell others?

Should I tell anyone about my bipolar diagnosis?

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Bipolar affects every aspect of your life and your relationships, family and friends can all be put under stress.

To understand how bipolar affects you, and to manage the illness, you will need support. If you can speak to a family member, partner or close friend as this will assist you.

As part of your support network it's ideal if family members and loved ones can be involved in planning treatment. It can also help you if mental health professionals can consult them (unless you don't want them to).

Other questions in this section focus on when you might consider telling others outside of your immediate family and friends.

Published: 1st October, 2014

Updated: 14th August, 2021

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If I am ill what powers do my family have?

Who can help with decisions when you are unwell

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Under the Mental Health Act we all have a nearest relative who will be involved in decisions about whether we are hospitalised. We do not get to choose our nearest relative.

If you or your nearest relative are both unhappy about them taking on this role, they can write a letter naming another individual to act as your nearest relative. They should inform at least one of your doctors or other people responsible for your care.

Your nearest relative has several powers and responsibilities:

  • They can apply for you to be admitted to hospital.
  • The approved social worker must tell the nearest relative if they have applied (or are applying) for you to be detained under section 2.
  • The approved social worker must talk to the nearest relative if they plan to detain you under section 3 (unless it is not practical to do this or would cause unreasonable delay). Your nearest relative can object to the application to detain you. However the approved social worker can ask the court to appoint someone else as your nearest relative if the objection is unreasonable.
  • Your nearest relative can apply for you to be discharged from hospital. However the doctor in charge of the treatment can stop this.

Published: 1st October, 2015

Updated: 14th August, 2021

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If I am detained in hospital can my friends and family visit me?

Who can see me when I am under section in hospital? Your rights as an inpatient explained

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You have the right to visits from your family and friends. If the hospital or doctor do not think it is beneficial for you to receive visitors, they must have a very good reason related to your health and safety to stop visits.

If visits are stopped, the decision should be recorded and the record should be made available to the Mental Health Act Commission.

Published: 1st October, 2015

Updated: 14th August, 2021

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Showing 10 of 4

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