World Bipolar Day: Fed member urging others to speak out about mental health

30 March 2023

A Hertfordshire Police Federation member is opening up about his bipolar diagnosis to help raise awareness of the condition as we mark this year’s World Bipolar Day.

Will Parsons is urging colleagues to open up and be honest if they feel they are struggling, having only been diagnosed with bipolar six years ago. 

The 34-year-old, who also experiences depression and has recently been assessed for autism, hopes that sharing his story will help to ‘normalise the abnormal’.

“Although a lot of work is being done to raise awareness of mental health, there is still a lot of stigma around it,” said Will, who is now a mental health first aider and wellbeing champion.

“I think people don’t always want to talk about mental health, and in particular conditions like bipolar. I know from experience, I didn’t feel like I could talk to my colleagues because I didn’t want to appear vulnerable. 

“I want to normalise the abnormal. I want people to know they can talk about mental health without it becoming a weird, awkward conversation.”

World Bipolar Day falls each year on 30 March, with the aim to raise awareness of bipolar, while eliminating social stigmas surrounding the condition.

Having always wanted to be a police officer - and dreamt of becoming a detective - Will joined Hertfordshire Constabulary straight after university, but initially in the human resources team and then as a civilian investigator, before becoming a regular in 2013.

Will Parsons has opened up about his diagnosis

“I had no issues at first, I loved it,” Will continued, “I had a career plan and I knew where I wanted my policing to take me.

“In 2016 I began having deep periods of bad depression. These periods would last three to four weeks at a time. I’d have to take time off and it became so bad that I didn’t have the energy to get out of bed and actually needed help dressing myself.

“I was also having periods of what I now know was mania. At times, I would have huge amounts of energy, and I felt invincible like I could do anything.”

Will, who was living with his family at the time, said that they started to notice a drastic change in him.

“They eventually took me to one side and raised their concerns. I then spoke to my GP and explained my symptoms, which led to me getting diagnosed with bipolar,” he said.

“When I look back on my earlier years and childhood, the bipolar explains a lot and has definitely helped to connect the dots.

“I have to admit, it wasn’t a relief when they told me. In fact, I was mortified. I was worried that my policing career would be over - being diagnosed felt like a life sentence.”

Will said that the support he received from the Force was invaluable, with his ‘brilliant’ sergeant making contact within an hour of hearing about his diagnosis.

“I was lucky that I had so many good people around me,” continued Will, who now has medication to treat his bipolar.

“My sergeant took me off frontline duties but gave me a role in the station that meant I was still able to contribute to the team and feel useful.

“I also had fantastic support from occupational health. My doctor said that I wasn’t able to fulfil frontline duties due to the speed at which the depression hits and that could impact my decision-making, which I acknowledged.”

Will was soon placed within the Victim Service Team, in a role that he really enjoys.

“Yes, it is distressing when you’re first told you are living with a mental health condition but once you have come to terms with it, you soon realise there are so many opportunities out there - even in the police. You just need to find the best environment for you.

“My team are hugely supportive, and I am able to manage disorder alongside my work.”

Having accepted his condition, Will is now urging others who feel they are suffering with their mental health to speak out.

“I think, naturally, you start to develop your own coping mechanisms to hide how you’re feeling,” he added.

“But being officially diagnosed allows you to get the support you need and the right treatment.

“Finally, as officers and colleagues, we need to keep an eye out for each other. If you notice a friend or colleague’s behaviour is changing - there’s nothing to stop you asking if they are OK. We think it’s impolite but if someone had pulled me aside during my darker days, I would’ve appreciated it.”