Borderline Personality Disorder services
BPD Co offers a range of specialised clinical services focussing on people with severe and complex BPD.
Supporting people with Borderline Personality Disorder
If you live with or support someone who has BPD, caring for them as they manage work, study or other commitments can be a challenge. There are places that can help you to learn more about how best to support the person you care for, as well as looking after your own wellbeing. A carer can be anyone who is involved with caring, or supporting someone with BPD and does not have to be an official title.
Crisis support
For a medical emergency, dial 000 and ask for ambulance.
For support in a mental health crisis, dial 13 14 65.
This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days and week and is staff by experienced mental health clinicians.
information and support for carers:
- BPDSA provides a central point for information for consumers, carers, family members and health providers about Borderline Personality Disorder and the support services including referral requirements, available in South Australia.
- Carers SA provides links to carers groups, and counselling to offer advice and support.
- Carer Gateway the pathway for carer support in South Australia from May 2020.
- Australian BPD Foundation is a useful website offering resources and information, as well as links to engage with local services state by state, for both carers and people with BPD.
- Sanctuary SA offers a peer led support group in Adelaide, meeting regularly, for carers of people living with BPD.
- Family Connections a short course designed for people who support or care for someone with BPD. Participants learn skills to navigate symptoms of BPD and learn about treatment theories and practices, with a focus on carer wellbeing.
- NEABPD The overarching organisation linked to Family Connections, many useful resources from webinars, covering psychoeducation and how to respond better to someone you care about who has BPD.
- Young Carers Network website links to support services, financial help, stories and events.
- Youth Beyond Blue provides tips for young people
- Children of Parents with a Mental illness not only has information for children, but also family members supporting them and their parents.
Practical assistance
You may be eligible for assistance with caring for someone, contact the below agencies to find out more and specific eligibility requirements.
- Centrelink – financial assistance, for more information:
- National
Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS), psychosocial support may be available as someone with a diagnosis of BPD. Carers may often need to assist in compiling the information to apply, although the process needs to be commenced by the person receiving the service directly.
- Carers Australia have useful information in how to apply and the process
- Checklist for mental health carers in preparing for applying to NDIS
- A guide for mental health carers in how to communicate more effectively regarding psychosocial disability can be found here
- Checklist for mental health carers in preparing for applying to NDIS
- Carers Australia have useful information in how to apply and the process
- National Psychosocial Support (NPS) is available through Adelaide Primary Healthcare Network (PHN) for those who may not be eligible for NDIS, but still require a level of psychosocial support. Details can be found on the Psychosocial support for people with severe mental illness Department of Health webpage. In South Australia, the National Psychosocial Support Measure (NPSM) is being led by Neami National.
- Links to Wellbeing may also be a useful service to contact in sourcing supports
Your wellbeing
It is important as a carer to look after your own wellbeing. Looking after your own health first will mean you are better able to support your loved one when they need it.
If you’re wanting tools to help you look after your health and wellbeing, Reachout has a compiled list of the 60 best tools and apps for young people, rated by young people and clinicians.
The Lived Experience Telephone Support Service has developed lots of peer informed (consumers and carers) self-help resources.
Telephone helplines for support run by non-government services (when not in crisis):
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 (24 hours) or chat online (3pm to 12am)
- Suicide call back service – 1300 659 467 or online counselling
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 or webchat.
- Lived Experience Telephone Support Service (LETSS) - 1800 013 755 (5pm-1130pm)
For more information on crisis services, please visit the Help in crisis situations web page.
Resources
Below is a list of useful fact sheets for families, partners and carers, courtesy of Project Air, which can be found on their Fact Sheets webpage:
- The basics – for families, partners and carers
- Effective communication – for families, partners and carers
- Understanding self-harm and suicidal thinking – for families, partners and carers
- Strategies for effective communication and healthy relationships – for families, partners and carers
- Helpful tips for challenging relationships – for families, partners and carers
- Managing anger – for families, partners and carers
- Looking after yourself – for families, partners and carers.
