Family and Friends Helpful links to other websites and organisations that can offer help and support to family, friends and carers. Expand Carers UKHelp and support for people who are looking after other people. Young MindsSupport and information for people caring for a young person with a mental health condition Family Actionprovides 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 SuicideAims to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. Cruse Bereavement CareOffer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies, and to enhance society's care of bereaved people. Home-StartHelps 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 LivesRuns 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 MediationProvide free family mediation now available for separating couples. Help and support everyone involved. Relate Counselling for adults with relationship difficulties.
Do I have to tell others? Should I tell anyone about my bipolar diagnosis? Expand 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.
If I am ill what powers do my family have? Who can help with decisions when you are unwell Expand 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.
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 Expand 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.
I’m a carer for someone who lives with bipolar, am I eligible for the vaccine? NHS arrangements for Covid-19 vaccinations Expand If you are an unpaid carer for someone who lives with bipolar you should also be offered a vaccine. An unpaid carer is defined as: “Those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.” You can find out more on the Carers UK website