Hi new to this not sure what to say, I was diagnosed with bipolar in 2000, lost everything my business, house and so called friends. Since then I have done my svq3 in social care and then went to university and did my BA Hons in Social Work. However, encouraging and intriguing to people with mental health issue this may be, I am disappointed to have to tell you that even after all this I am finding it almost impossible to gain full time work as a social worker due to the discrimination and stigma facing people with mental health illnesses.