A Bipolar sufferer who runs a long-established support and crisis centre in Gloucestershire has made it her mission to offer one-to-one support for members of the community.

Former teacher and Bipolar sufferer Joy Hibbins runs the Suicide Crisis Centre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, which has offered caring and empathetic support for Bipolar sufferers for the past two and a half years.

Ms Hibbins also works hard to raise awareness of the symptoms of Bipolar in her community, so that sufferers do not go undiagnosed.

Today, March 30, is World Bipolar day, and also marks the first anniversary of Ms Hibbins’ diagnosis with the mental health condition.

“In 2012 I attempted suicide twice, and I found that mental health services didn’t work for me.

“I knew that we needed to have a small team that could get to know people individually,” she said.

“Our Suicide Crisis centre offers a caring and empathetic approach that can reach through the barriers that people put around themselves when they are suicidal.

“We give face to face ongoing support and really get to know the clients and let them know that we care about them and their survival.”

The primary focus for World Bipolar Day this year is about highlighting how much people with Bipolar disorder can achieve. Ms Hibbins is currently contacted by around 25 people seeking much-needed advice every week.