The History And Global Significance Of World Bipolar Day
World Bipolar Day derives from the mental illness bipolar disorder, which is a chronic mental health condition that involves a series of mood swings consisting of mania or depression. This global day is designed to bring awareness, encourage those living with the mental illness, educate people who aren’t aware or misguided, and shatter stigmas surrounding bipolar disorder.
It is important to shed light on the history of World Bipolar Day, the origins, the purpose, and what the day looks like going forward.
When Is World Bipolar Day?
World Bipolar Day is a day of recognition and awareness, observed annually on March 30th. The goal is to eliminate negative stigmas and discrimination, while educating and informing the masses about what bipolar disorder is and the conditions that are a part of it.
World Bipolar Day is also a day of celebration, victory, and resilience for the brave people who live with this particular mental illness. It’s important to highlight these individuals as they are often hidden in the shadows, made to feel shame, and are often misunderstood due to people’s lack of knowledge.
How Did World Bipolar Day Get Started?
World Bipolar Day began in 2014 through a collaboration between the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD).
According to the IBPF, it was inaugurated on that date to coincide with the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having bipolar disorder.
How Do People Celebrate World Bipolar Day?
World Bipolar Day is an opportunity to spread awareness, appreciation, and liberation. People celebrate in many ways, which makes the day special and meaningful.
A popular way that people celebrate is by utilizing online platforms to share stories and experiences. They also use hashtags like #WorldBipolarDay, #BipolarStrong, and #BipolarBubbles to drive traffic to the cause and highlight the day.
Bipolar Bubbles is a popular initiative that involves videos shared online that represent joy and recovery in the form of blowing bubbles. While others attend events that educate through webinars, art shows, fundraisers, bipolar walks, and so forth.
An imperative way to celebrate, especially for people who live with bipolar disorder, is practicing self-care. A great way to utilize World Bipolar Day is by focusing on yourself and happiness, and doing peaceful activities. Participants also enjoy wellness activities such as massages, meditation, and the creative arts, such as coloring, painting, crafting, and more.
What Can Be Learned From This Day?
Empathy and understanding are major lessons that can be taken away from World Bipolar Day. Oftentimes, it can be hard to connect with someone’s situation because you can’t relate, don’t have prior knowledge, or may have the wrong idea from someone else.
World Bipolar Day brings awareness to educate and inform those who aren’t familiar with bipolar disorder. This mental illness affects many, but many do not speak out.
Although bipolar disorder is a chronic brain disorder that affects the population, if the person is willing to seek help through a psychiatrist, medication, and a therapist, that person can still lead a positive, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Though medication helps, it is not a saving grace; a person has to force themselves 10 times more than the average person, which is why World Bipolar Day is a day of celebration.
The stigma that people with mental illnesses are dangerous, worthless, and incapable of anything is a myth and unfounded. Anyone living with this mental illness can do anything they desire; it will take determination and extreme will to push past the struggles that a mental illness brings, but it is possible.
