How much do you know about bipolar disorder? Today, on World Bipolar Day we’re raising awareness for this sometimes-misunderstood mental health condition.
Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes in mood. These symptoms can be challenging to manage.
Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder vary for everyone, it can take a long time to get a diagnosis. If you have extreme changes in your mood that last a long time, and are having an effect on your life, relationships, or work then consider seeing your GP. Remember, help is available to manage bipolar disorder:
Bipolar UK has a mood scale and diary and more information that may be helpful.
Mind has more information on the different types of bipolar, and how to manage them.
A Scottish Government agreement with GPs to improve general practice has failed to deliver on several of its commitments, says spending watchdog Audit Scotland.
The 2018 General Medical Service (GMS) contract aimed to address the financial pressures and growing workloads facing GPs, and to improve patients’ access to care.
However, seven years on:
the estimated number of whole-time equivalent GPs has fallen
pressure on general practice has increased
proposals to support GP teams with more nurses, physiotherapists and other specialists have moved more slowly than planned
and people report finding it more difficult to access care.
The Scottish Government has not set out how it intends to invest in general practice over the medium-term. And it is unlikely to hit its target of 800 more GPs by 2027. Spending on general practice as a proportion of overall NHS spending has fallen slightly in recent years. And between 2021/22 and 2023/24 spending decreased by 6 per cent in real terms, putting more pressure on GP practices.
National data for primary care remains inadequate. There is a lack of robust information about general practice demand, workload, workforce, and quality of care. This limits the Scottish Government’s ability to say whether the GMS contract changes represent value for money or have improved patient care.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “The pandemic pushed back plans for general practice. But the new delivery deadlines that were put in place were missed, and there’s not been enough transparency about progress since then.
“The Scottish Government needs to clarify its plan for general practice and set out the actions, timescales and costs to deliver it.”
Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack has secured confirmation over the timetable for the new eye pavilion.
Deputy Chief Exec of NHS Lothian, Jim Crosbie revealed that the new eye pavilion would be delivered in 6 years during a roundtable hosted by Ms Boyack.
Ms Boyack secured the meeting following her open letter to Scottish Health Secretary, Neil Gray on the lack of clarity over the new hospital’s progress.
The roundtable was attended by MSPs from across Edinburgh and the Lothians as well as stakeholders from sight loss organisations and patient groups.
NHS Lothian promised to continue to keep MSPs and stakeholders updated about progress and the health board also committed to proper consultation with the sight loss community.
The current Eye Pavilion has been shut since last year since asbestos was discovered in the building. This has caused major disruption for those in the sight loss community who rely on the hospital.
An organisation of patients supporting a new hospital, KEEP, were present at the roundtable and highlighted some of the difficulties for patients trying to access basic facilities since the closure of the current pavilion.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Boyack said: “I am glad to finally have some clarity of when Edinburgh will finally see a new eye hospital.
“However, I can’t shake the feeling that this facility is way overdue.
“The current facility has not been fit for purpose since 2014, on the current timetable patients will be waiting another 6 before getting the standard of services they deserve.
“I will continue to hold the Scottish Government’s feet to the fire over this until the Eye Pavilion has been delivered.”
Decline in the number of specialist ASN teachers to a record low
More than doubling in the number of pupils with additional support needs since 2014
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has raised concerns over cuts in specialist support being provided to those with additional support needs (ASN).
The call comes as new figures from the Scottish Government’s annual teacher census indicate that the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen to a record low of 2,837 in 2024.1
In contrast, the number of those pupils with ASN has soared to a record high, now amounting to 40.5 per cent of the pupil population. 2 This includes those with mental health problems, learning disability, autism and dyslexia.
These numbers have been increasing for years. Indeed, more than doubling(102.4 per cent) over the last decade to 284,448 pupils, a rise from 140,501 in 2014, when those with ASN represented 20.8 per cent of all pupils.
Between 2014 and 2024 the number of ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,077 to 2,837, a record low and a decrease of 240 teachers.
In 2014, while each ASN teacher was supporting 40 pupils with ASN, by 2024 this figure had risen to each teacher now supporting 100 such pupils.
Against a background of spending cuts and reduction in specialist support, the SCSC has called for greater resourcing from both the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that those with ASN, who are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods, are getting the care and support that they need.
The coalition has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of a presumption of mainstreaming, meaning that all pupils are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, without the necessary support.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need. This is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap as we know that those with ASN are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods.
“With cuts in support, including in the number of specialist teachers, it is going to be extremely challenging to reduce the current inequalities faced by those with ASN.
“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, which means that all children and young people are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly given the fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those with ASN.
“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to provide the necessary resourcing to address the needs of those children and young people with ASN, who represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “
“The Haven passes the baton to SAMH, leaving behind a wonderful legacy, proving Scotland’s mental health crisis can be reversed.” – Roslyn Neely – CEO, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity
A walk-in wellbeing and resilience pilot, developed to tackle Scotland’s mental health crisis will come to an end in the summer, after demonstrating unquestionably that early intervention can reduce mental health challenges among children and young people.
The Haven opened at The Fraser Centre, Tranent in September 2023 under Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s ‘No Time To Wait’ strategy. It later moved to bigger premises in Haddington due to demand, and since opening the service has attracted 3,461 visits. Of these, 2,041 were children and young people and 1,420 were their affected family members.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We are incredibly sad that our pilot wellbeing and resilience service is coming to an end, but that was always our intention, as a charity we couldn’t fund this forever.
“However we will close our doors with a huge sense of pride in what The Haven has achieved and a promise to all families receiving support that we will not turn our backs on them, we will continue to provide vital assistance, ensuring that the care and connection established through The Haven remain a core part of our work.”
Scotland’s national mental health charity, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), has recently announced The Nook, a network of mental health support hubs, which will build on the foundations laid by ECHC and the team at The Haven, marking a significant step forward for mental health support in Scotland, and beyond.
Roslyn Neelycontinued: “We are delighted that our work will now contribute to a long-term, sustainable national approach to Scotland’s mental health crisis.
“The Haven passes the baton to SAMH, leaving behind a wonderful legacy, proving Scotland’s mental health crisis can be reversed, and we celebrate the fact that a major organisation like SAMH is stepping in to continue this important work.
“Their ability to advocate for long-term government support means that children’s mental health remains firmly on the national agenda, and we wholeheartedly support this.”
The Haven is a groundbreaking two-year pilot which has successfully supported hundreds of families who have a child struggling with their mental health. Critically, it uses a walk-in format with no waiting lists.
The Haven takes a unique whole family approach, supporting not just the individual struggling with mental health challenges, but their parents, grandparents, siblings and carers.
Scotland’s first Festival of Movement will soon come to Linlithgow! We are delighted to now reveal the full programme for the day.
Join us across Linlithgow, from the West Lothian Cycle Route to The Cross, on Saturday 29 March for a free, fun-filled day of opportunities to get moving, from in-line skating to led cycles, as well as talks, discussions and creative workshops for all ages and abilities.
For Debt Awareness Week, we’re highlighting how debt affects mental health – and the support that is available to help.
Throughout the cost-of-living-crisis many people have had to turn to lenders and may be struggling to keep up with their repayments. The mental health toll can be really challenging, with increased feelings of anxiety keeping you up at night or making it harder to enjoy your relationships. It can make existing mental health problems like depression worse and all together, feel overwhelming.
The mental health effects of debt can make navigating it an even more isolating and lonely experience. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and that there is support available to you.
Want to know more? Join us for our Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’ 26-28 March r/ukpersonalfinance. We’ll be joined by StepChange to answer all your questions on mental health and debt.
GRANTON INFORMATION CENTRE: FEEDBACK SURVEY
There is only one week remaining to compete our 24/25 client feedback survey. If you have used our service since April 2024, and haven’t already done so, please take a couple of minutes to complete our questionnaire:
The British Dental Association has applauded a video message from Nick Whelan, the student who nearly died of sepsis for want of a dental appointment.
Nick was forced to undergo life-saving surgery after he was admitted to Ninewells Hospital with septicaemia in 2021. Nick, 22, said he had been struggling to get a dentist appointment after his toothache began at the tail-end of the first lockdown in September 2020.
In a video message marking World Oral Health Day, Nick says: “I have a simple message for everyone out there across the UK and beyond.
“To every patient waiting in pain, to every politician and policymaker, and to every dentist worried about what might come through that door next.
Dental health matters. It is not an optional extra. It is a vital part of our lives.
“Dental care is healthcare.
“Nobody should have to go through what I did, but I know until dentistry is taken seriously they will.”
Across the UK the BDA has been pressing for urgent reform to give NHS dentistry a sustainable future.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said:“Nick has offered a message that every Health Minister in every part of the UK needs to hear.
“The tone is very much ‘Horrible Histories’. The real scandal is this is the reality facing patients in a wealthy 21st century nation.”
As FND National Awareness Day (March 25th) approaches, Edinburgh Leisure highlights its commitment to creating accessible and inclusive facilities for those living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a complex neurological condition that affects brain functioning.
Edinburgh Leisure’s dedication is exemplified through the story of Ruth Desire, a 56-year-old care assistant whose life was transformed when she found her “happy place” in Edinburgh Leisure’s swimming pools after being diagnosed with FND following a fall in 2008.
“Learning to expect the unexpected has become my mantra,” says Ruth, who experiences a range of challenging symptoms including drop attacks, mobility issues, dissociative seizures, and visual disturbances.
“Before my diagnosis, I enjoyed cycling and swimming. While cycling is no longer possible for me, Edinburgh Leisure has helped me stay active in other ways.”
Tailored Support Making a Difference
Edinburgh Leisure’s approach to supporting customers with complex needs like FND demonstrates how small accommodations can make significant impacts. For Ruth, these include:
Dimming lights around pool areas to prevent seizure triggers
Access to disabled facilities with emergency alarms for safety
Adaptive class environments with modified lighting
Staff trained to recognise and respond to FND episodes
Ruth attends aquafit classes 4-5 times weekly across multiple Edinburgh Leisure venues including Dalry, Ainslie Park, Leith Victoria, Portobello Baths, and Meadowbank Sports Centre, describing how “aquafit helps loosen my joints, which is beneficial for the muscle aches caused by FND-related spasms.”
Staff Going Above and Beyond
The organisation’s commitment extends beyond facility adaptations to include compassionate staff who understand the variable nature of FND.
Kate Cramb, Operations Manager at Portobello Swim Centre said: “We’re proud of our team members who have taken the time to understand Ruth’s condition and provide personalised support. Our goal is for everyone to feel welcome and safe while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of staying active.”
Ruth particularly acknowledges several staff members who have been instrumental in her journey, including Maggie (LA), Robbie (Supervisor), and Val (Coach) at Portobello; Emma, who coaches both Aquafit at Portobello and Active Life classes at Meadowbank and is particularly vigilant, having witnessed Ruth’s FND in various forms; and Susan McIntosh (Leisure Attendant), Stuart Cavers (Supervisor) and all the staff at Leith Victoria Swim Centre who have assisted Ruth with various FND episodes.
FND Awareness Day – March 25th
Functional Neurological Disorder is a brain network disorder that can affect anyone of any age. Despite its prevalence, with neurologists seeing cases frequently in their clinics, there remains limited awareness and knowledge about the condition.
FND National Awareness Day on March 25th provides an opportunity for communities to unite as #Voices4FND to influence positive change. The day highlights the urgent need for accessible specialist care for those diagnosed with FND, many of whom are currently left to navigate their condition without adequate support.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Healthy Active Minds programme, which provided Ruth with a specialised membership following her GP referral for stress, anxiety, and depression, exemplifies how targeted health initiatives can significantly improve quality of life for those with complex conditions.
About Edinburgh Leisure
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active, and achieve more. With facilities across the city, the organisation is committed to inclusive programming that benefits the physical and mental wellbeing of all Edinburgh residents.
There are moments that will stay with you for the rest of your life. For millions of people across our country, that was five years ago today, Sunday 23 March (writes TUC’s Natahn Oswin).
‘From this evening, I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home’ – Prime Minister Boris Johnson
The essential workers who kept the country running
‘From this evening, I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home’ – Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
But for many this simply wasn’t possible – due to their jobs being so essential to the country they were declared key workers and kept going into work, risking their lives and livelihoods to keep our society running.
They were the people we stood outside our doorsteps for every Thursday, clapping, banging pots and generally attempting to show our appreciation for what they kept on facing.
Honoring the NHS and social care heroes
It wasn’t just nurses and doctors, it was physios and cleaners in our hospitals, porters and midwives. So many NHS staff faced unimaginable scenarios and kept going, as best they could, to save as many lives as possible.
Meanwhile, social care – a workforce often underappreciated, grappling with zero hour contracts and minimum wages – battled to stem the tide and protect vulnerable residents from the virus, now labelled Covid-19.
The hidden struggles of key workers during Covid-19
Transport workers continued to make our national infrastructure run and many lost their lives ensuring NHS workers and social care staff could make it into their workplace.
Education staff tried their utmost to look after children and protect them whilst facing off against a government who simply did not care about their welfare, with Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson rejecting calls for masks in schools because they were in “no surrender mode” towards trade unions.
Food manufacturing workers, textiles workers, retail staff, refuse collectors, fire staff, police staff, civil servants and many, many more played a vital role.
Many watched as colleagues lost their lives to the pandemic.
The emotional and mental health impact of the Pandemic
The consequences for many have been severe.
I vividly remember a friend who served in our NHS during the pandemic breaking down in tears during a remembrance service, “I hadn’t realised how little I had processed it all” she said.
For many the emotional scars of the trauma they experienced as key workers will last a lifetime, the mental health impact is hard to calculate and the continuing effects of Long Covid are devastating for millions of people.
They knowingly marched into danger, often terrified, but with heads held high to tackle the biggest crisis our country, and the world, has faced since World War II.
It is a debt we can never truly repay, but that does not mean we should not try.
Why we must improve workers’ rights and protections
A decent level of statutory sick pay from day one, banning exploitative zero hour contracts and tackling the scourge of poverty pay would ensure that a future pandemic could not thrive when people are faced with the impossible choice of going into work ill or being able to feed their families, boosting our national resilience.
The dangers of underfunding public services
The pandemic was a stark reminder of how crucial public services are, revealing the dangers of underinvestment – the UK went into the pandemic unprepared and our public services were under-resourced.
Lessons from the pandemic: the need for insourcing
Recognising the risks of outsourcing is another key lesson which this government is already getting to grips with. A fragmented social care system failed thousands of care recipients and care workers.
Insourcing public services like social care will rebuild the state and allow resources to be redirected to frontline delivery, rather than corporate profits.
Join the fight for justice: share your Covid-19 experience
Long Covid should be recognised as an industrial disease.
We want to hear about your experiences of the pandemic to make sure the Inquiry knows the challenges working people faced and hope you will fill in our survey to make sure the Inquiry hears your voice.
Bipolar UK has a mood scale and diary and more information that may be helpful.
Scotland’s first Festival of Movement will soon come to Linlithgow! We are delighted to now reveal the full programme for the day.
