Aware, the national charity supporting people impacted by depression and bipolar disorder, has launched an Adult Education Programme for 2022.
The courses have been designed to empower people living with these conditions in Ireland, as well as their support network, and the general population, with the knowledge and skills to build positive mental health and resilience into the future.
There are three courses to choose from; the 'Life Skills Programme', for anyone seeking to protect or improve their mental health and for people with mild to moderate depression or anxiety; the 'Living Well with Bipolar Programme', for people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder; and the 'Relatives & Friends Programme', to help people supporting someone with depression with the skills they need to look after both themselves and their loved one.
According to Stephen McBride, Director of Services at Aware, bipolar disorder is currently estimated to impact approximately 1% of our population, some 50,000 people in Ireland.
According to McBride, those living with bipolar disorder can experience extreme mood swings with very high highs (mania, the elated phase of bipolar disorder) and very low lows (depression) that can last several weeks or months.
Those suffering with the disorder are more likely to seek help when their mood is low as "it’s having a negative impact on their health and wellbeing, which can at times lead to a misdiagnosis".
"During a high mood phase, people can feel exceptionally well," he explains. "However, a medical professional, most typically a psychiatrist, will be in a position to assess a person’s condition and accurately diagnosis them with bipolar disorder if this is the condition that they are living with."
"Bipolar disorder can impact on the lives of those living with the condition in many different ways," he adds. "This could include excessive energy, having no desire to sleep, feeling very creative, experiencing extreme shifts in mood, making impulsive decisions, experiencing sudden irritability, and at times experiencing feelings of hopelessness."
The 'Living Well with Bipolar Disorder Programme', which is the only support of its kind in Ireland, will provide people diagnosed with the condition with information and support to understand and manage bipolar disorder effectively.
"At a societal level, the understanding of bipolar disorder remains very limited in Ireland, and Aware is committed to helping people living with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to learn methods that will help them to more effectively manage their condition."
The courses are free but places are limited. Register your interest before 28th January.
