People struggling with bipolar disorder on the West Shore now have a new place to go to meet others and find support.

The Bipolar Support Group is set to bring together people of all ages and persuasions who have bipolar disorder to meet, talk and help one another. Healthy choices will be a focus, with members discussing lifestyles, drug and alcohol issues and other facets of living with mental illness.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes opening up to complete strangers is more therapeutic than opening up to people that you know really well,B次元官网网址� said Andrea Paquette, executive director of the Bipolar Disorder Society of B.C. B次元官网网址淵ou feel a sense of safety and eventually you form friendships and you feel comfortable. B次元官网网址� The dynamic is so powerful.B次元官网网址�

Paquette believes the group is the first to specifically focus on bipolar disorder on the West Shore. People with other mental illnesses are welcome, but the focus will be bipolar. The group is not a place for advice, but rather a listening ear.

The first meeting was held yesterday (Jan. 14) but the group is informal and people can to join or leave at any time. Paquette does ask people who wish to attend contact her ahead of time so she has an idea of numbers.

Paquette has been working towards helping people with bipolar disorder for about five years now, starting with a youth support group, called Teens 2 Twenties, run out of her home starting in 2009.

B次元官网网址淚 saw a need for youth to gather together to form friendships and talk about their challenges,B次元官网网址� Paquette said. B次元官网网址淎nd celebrate their successes.B次元官网网址�

Since those humble beginnings, Paquette has formed the Bipolar Disorder Society of B.C., which is a non-profit, registered charity providing four mental health programs. Along with the Teens 2 Twenties, the group offers classroom presentations, a womenB次元官网网址檚 support group and community presentations.

In a one-year period Paquette said the society presented to 1,800 youth all told.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been astounding,B次元官网网址� Paquette said of the feedback sheB次元官网网址檚 received. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e changing their attitudes around mental health, they see people in a positive light now, theyB次元官网网址檙e changing their perspective. ItB次元官网网址檚 just mind blowing.B次元官网网址�

With startup funding secured, Paquette said money will be needed to keep the group going. She will go to municipalities and individuals with an interest in mental health to drum up support.

he society has also been awarded a $159,000 grant for the Bipolar Youth Action Project, in conjunction with a research network based out of the University of British Columbia.

The project will see youth from 16 to 25 years old with bipolar disorder from throughout Vancouver Island converging in Victoria and Campbell River once every few months to take part in a research project where they research their own illness. The project will take place over two years and its findings will be presented to the public.

B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 neat about it is itB次元官网网址檚 not research top down,B次元官网网址� Paquette said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to make a positive impact for youth with bipolar disorder.B次元官网网址�

The West Shore support group is every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Centennial Centre (2805 Carlow Rd.), across from Spencer middle school. For more information visit bipolarbabe.com or email babe@bipolarbabe.com.