Bi-polarbears has a manifesto, that we use to guide our information sharing.  I’ve been asked recently how I created the manifesto, and what it means to people around me, and you, my readers.

The Manifesto

It’s very easy to look at the list of things we talk about and wonder what we mean, and easier still to misconstrue them (as some comments have highlighted ) so I thought I’d explain what I mean.

Bi-polarbears aims to:

Offer support, and honest, open views on the current state of the global view on mental health.

(we share information that isn’t ‘controlled’ or ‘influenced’ by sponsorship and can be readily translated into slightly more understandable language where possible, and are not geographically limited to what we talk about)

We aim to encourage and empower people to understand that mental health is not a stigma, just another way of relating to people, and that variety is an integral part of being human.

(Not a stigma = there is no shame in the diagnosis we all have – and if you’re doing everything you can to support yourself, no shame in letting others know.  Variety is integral part of humanity = genetically speaking, we can’t all be perfect, and personally speaking, it’s not any-one’s fault )

Offer the understanding and knowledge of when to get help

(A lot of the people I encounter expect to have to cope alone and don’t seek help when they need it – or worse, hide because they think accepting help is a form of weakness – on the flip-side, there are people out there that ‘use’ mental health as an excuse and self diagnose.  Neither is a great way to live, so we offer support for both)
Offer the experiences of others on and off of all forms of medication

Offer a venue of interactivity through essays and posts (blog) and an informal meeting place to discuss anything about mental health (forum)

(the forums are gone now and may never be back because we took so long looking after them that we couldn’t write articles – but we intend to share what we learn in accessible ways and hopefully promote discussion)

Above all though, we’re here for you.

(so, if there’s something you want me to write about or explain, let me know!)

Kai

Kai is a writer, author and avid reader.  A mental health advocate, Ludosport athlete and coder. She’s the mother of two young adults, owned by two cats, and lives with her beloved in the Cotswolds.