HealthInfo Canterbury
Getting help with bipolar disorder
Whai āwhina mō te mate rangirua
Many people with bipolar disorder need help with managing their condition, as well as education on ways to help themselves.
Talking to your general practice team is a good place to start. They can discuss treatment options with you and refer you to specialist services if needed.
Medications
Medications can be used to help with the depressive or manic symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Mood-stabilising medications such as lithium are used longer term to prevent mood swings.
Talking therapy (psychological treatments)
Talking therapies help you cope with your condition and manage symptoms of bipolar disorder such as depression. You can get talking therapy and emotional support from a psychologist or counsellor or a brief intervention counselling service (BIS) worker.
Your general practice team can help you find a therapist or refer you for some free counselling. You can find counsellors, therapists and psychiatrists in the Family Services Directory, or the Mental Health Resource Centre (MHERC) can help. Some therapy options will cost, but your general practice team can talk through the approximate cost with you.
Specialist services
Specialist Mental Health Services
The Specialist Mental Health Service, a division of Te Whatu Ora Waitaha is the major provider of mental health services in Canterbury.
Youth Speciality Services
This is a specialist outpatient service for 13- to 18-year-olds (or older if still at school) with moderate to severe mental illness and their whānau (families). If a young person has mood issues or psychotic symptoms that could be the start of bipolar disorder, the service's early intervention team can provide the best help for them. Read more about Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Child, Adolescent and Family Community Services.
Totara House Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Totara House helps 18- to 30-year-olds who are having psychotic symptoms for the first time. Some of these young adults will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Counsellor or therapist
You can find a counsellor, therapist or psychiatrist in the Family Services Directory.
Community support
Mental Health Advocacy and Peer Support (MHAPS)
MHAPS is a peer-led and peer-delivered mental health and addictions service. All its peer workers have their own lived experience of mental distress or addiction and of meaningful recovery. Their experience helps them to listen to you carefully.
It offers peer advocacy, peer support in groups or for individuals, change programmes, workshops and activity and social programmes.
Phone (03) 365-9479.
Mental Health Education and Resource Centre (MHERC)
The Canterbury Mental Health Education and Resource Centre Trust (MHERC) provides information, education and support to people in Canterbury with mental health and addiction issues, whānau, caregivers, agencies and the community.
Phone 0800-424-399.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2023.
SourcesReview key: HIBIP-52193
