Aged 18, I was admitted to a psychiatric ward, feeling frightened and confused. The stigma was so great that I felt embarrassed and ashamed. My confidence was broken. I didn’t admit to anyone I had bipolar disorder. Years later, whilst I was recovering again in hospital, the national newspapers reported that Frank Bruno was fighting his own battles with bipolar disorder. I had been a fan of Frank Bruno for years. I was full of admiration for his courage and honesty in speaking about his own experiences. As someone with a high profile and a strong voice, Frank became a great ambassador for mental health (particularly bipolar disorder). Recently, I had the privilege to meet Frank and thanked him for breaking down the stigma around this condition. It changed my own outlook and I grew in confidence talking about living with bipolar disorder to others. Thank you Frank for your inspiration, I can now celebrate World Bipolar Day with pride.
