When describing something erratic or changeable ‘schizophrenic’ has long been used out of medical context. This is now happening with bipolar disorder. On 29.5.08 The Herald Sun published ‘Bipolar saints have lost their verve’.

The article described the performance of the St Kilda ‘saints’ football team. StigmaWatch contacted The Herald Sun to pass on StigmaWatchers’ feedback that using bipolar disorder out of context may trivialise the illness and impact badly on some community members.

As always, StigmaWatch acknowledges that no harm was intended but seeks to raise awareness of this issue.