AN award-winning mental health champion who lives with bipolar disorder has backed a plan by the Mayor of Warrington to set up a support group.

Rita Long, aged 49, spoke of her twenty year journey with the condition when she joined Cllr Geoff Settle at the Golden Square Shopping Centre to mark Bipolar Awareness Day.

Bipolar UK is one of Cllr Settle’s nominated charities

Cllr Settle said: “I know several people who have bipolar and I was inspired to support this charity and raise awareness on their behalf.

"With one in four people suffering from mental illness during their lifetime I have chosen Wellbeing of the Mind as my mayoral theme.

"It is something we all can relate to in some form or other.

“Unfortunately there is still such a massive stigma that surrounds mental health issues across the board."

Rita lives with her husband in Stockport where she has set up a bipolar support group with the help of the Bipolar UK charity.

She credits the monthly meetings with having a significant positive impact on her life.

She said: “My problems started in my teens but I didn’t know it.

"I knew something was wrong but I didn’t know what.

“I had lots of periods of low mood which I managed through exercise and a healthy lifestyle but it gradually got worse.

“I started on anti-depressants in my 30s but that just elevated my mood higher and higher until I ended up in hospital because I was manic.

“Once I got diagnosed it was a catalyst for me finding help and support so I could understand my own behaviours."

Now an expert at spotting the warning signs of her bipolar episodes, Rita is determined to raise the profile of the options available for those living with the condition.

Visit bipolaruk.org.uk.