Borderline Personality Disorder often co-occurs with other mental illnesses. For many, the associated behaviors develop as coping mechanisms to deal with inherent symptoms of an existing, biologically-driven illness. NAMI spokespoeple have said this about the cause of BPD:

“At this point in time, clinical theorists believe that biogenetic and environmental components are both necessary for the disorder to develop.  These factors are varied and complex.  Many different environments may further contribute to the development of the disorder.  Families providing reasonably nurturing and caring environments may nevertheless see their relative develop the illness. In other situations, childhood abuse has exacerbated the condition. The best explanation appears to be that there is a confluence of environmental factors and a neurobiological propensity that leads to a sensitive, emotionally labile child.”  

Just two days ago, representatives from some of the nation’s premiere mental health research and advocacy organizations met on capitol hill to share new information regarding Borderline Personality Disorder. Here is an excerpt from a NAMI press release regarding that session:

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder co-sponsored a congressional briefing on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) on May 19.

Borderline Personality Disorder affects more than two million people and is just as common as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. People living with BPD can face additional challenges due to the complicated nature of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. The high risk of self-injury and suicide make proper treatment all the more urgent.

Do your part to end the stigma associated with Borderline Personality Disorder-
Leading mental health experts, including Thomas Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and John Oldan, M.D., president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), spoke with the congressional group about the challenges people living with BPD face and treatment options.

At the briefing, NAMI Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick said:

Borderline Personality Disorder is a serious mental illness that can cause a lot of challenges, carries a significant risk of suicide and requires an accurate diagnosis along with targeted treatment.

We know that treatment works, but too often stigma discourages people living with mental illness from getting the help that they need. Untreated mental illness has significant personal, social and economic implications. We urge Congress to increase funding of research, treatment and services for those living with BPD and their families.

Click here for more information about Borderline Personality Disorder.

For even more information, click here for a downloadable PDF pamphlet.

Openness by Friends, Family and Celebrities Reduces the Stigma of Mental Illness

This is the finding of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), as elaborated in the article below, taken from their site:

Stigma associated with mental illnesses continues, though more than a third of Americans **surveyed on behalf of the American Psychiatric Association  said that, in their view, stigma has declined, and openness about personal experiences by friends, family and public figures was influential.

Increased openness about personal experience with mental illnesses on the part of friends and family members was identified by most respondents (79 percent) as at least moderately influential in reducing the stigma sometimes associated with mental illnesses, according to the online survey conducted for the APA by Harris Interactive in April among 2,285 adults age 18 and older.

Other factors at least moderately influential are:

• the increase in the amount of mental health information available online, 75 percent

• accurate portrayals of mental illnesses on television and in movies, 72 percent

• public figures or celebrities talking about their experiences with mental illnesses, 71 percent

• social networking sites related to the topic of mental illnesses, 61 percent

When asked how concerned they are about the possibility that they would ever be diagnosed with a mental disorder, 38 percent were at least somewhat concerned while 48 percent said they were at least somewhat concerned for a family member.

Two-thirds of Americans surveyed agree that people with mental illnesses can get better.

The APA conducted the survey as part of its Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives. campaign, which was established to improve understanding of mental illnesses, psychiatry and successful treatment options, as well as to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking mental health care.

If you have a story to share regarding mental illness, the media and/or stigma, please share it with us in the comments section here!

I sometimes consider shutting down this site to focus on other writings, particularly when I look at cost. I’ve resisted monetizing through ads because I want to remain unbiased. I don’t want my readers to think I endorse particular drugs or treatment approaches, and pharmaceutical companies are the only big money donors interested in “pay per click” support for sites like this.  But every time I think I’ll just pull the plug, I get a letter like the one below: and I realize that every bit of advocacy and support contributes to improvements in treatments and in the lives of others. And so for now, we’ll continue.

Please read on…

and if you have a positive story of tale of support to share email me!

Hi Kate!

I’m a 28-year old doctor from the Philippines & I have a sister who has bipolar disorder. I’d just like to say thank you for creating this website & thank you for pursuing your advocacy.

Viewing this site brought tears to my eyes & I deeply feel that something has to be changed about the stigma of mental health. Seeing the videos here made me realize that society must be liberated by this stigma, as much as there was also discrimination for people before w/ leprosy or even for black people.

This is a start & I am positive that change is coming & little by little, we’ll all grow as a better society by accepting this change.

Thank you again so much & never tire of doing good, cuz you never know how many lives you have touched every single day.

Kudos & God bless!

About Hear Me NOW:

A Celebration of Resiliency Through the Performing Arts

Tonight, Thursday, May 7, 2009, 7 p.m. ET | Washington, DC

The Awareness Day national event will be held at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Center for the Arts on Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. ET. Featuring co-hosts Sabrina Bryan of Disney Channel’s “Cheetah Girls” and Solomon Trimble of the film “Twilight,” the goal for the event is to inspire, and most important, teach their peers and others that youth with mental health needs can and do thrive at home, at school, and in the community The event will feature performances by systems of care youth from across the country.

The theme for 2010 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is:

Promoting Positive Mental Health from Birth to Adulthood

Let’s join forces to send the following messages across the nation:

• Mental health is essential to overall health and well being.

• Serious emotional and mental health disorders in children and youth are real and treatable.

• Children and youth with mental health challenges and their families deserve access to services and supports that are family driven, youth guided and culturally appropriate.

• Values of acceptance, dignity and social inclusion should be promoted throughout all communities for children, youth and families.

• Family and youth voice is a valued asset in determining appropriate services and interventions.

For more information, click the icons below:

BUST IT (“IT” being stigma) is the youth demonstration designed to draw attention to the mental health needs of children and youth throughout the United States. The objective is to provide a “contact” experience that reinforces the fact that children’s mental health is an issue that impacts all youth in one way or another, with the longer term goal of reducing the stigma that is often associated with having a mental health need.

Studies have shown that stigma is the greatest barrier to children and youth with mental health needs and their families seeking help. BUST IT actions across the country will serve to demonstrate solidarity among children and youth who have, or are at risk of having, a mental health need.

BUST IT will take place on Awareness Day and comprise the following components:

Youth groups in all time zones across the country will conduct their BUST IT activity simultaneously on Thursday, May 7, at 1 p.m. EDT/12 p.m. CDT/11 a.m. MDT/10 a.m. PDT.

BUST IT will begin with groups of youth standing in silence for 30 seconds. During this time the youth will display signs that detail myths about mental health challenges. For instance, a sign might read, “It’s just a phase,” while another might read, “He’s just trying to get attention.”

Then the youth will turn the signs around to display facts about children’s mental health, featuring data that demonstrate how youth can and do thrive when they receive comprehensive mental health services.

The final activity will feature youth blowing bubbles, which symbolize stigma. Once the bubbles pop, the youth will shout, “BUST IT!”

Why get involved?

BUST IT is a way for communities show support for the total well-being of all children and youth and to rally against the stigma associated with having a mental health need. Since the activities are scheduled to take place during school hours, it creates a unique opportunity for communities to partner with their local schools, youth groups, and organizations that serve children and youth in the community on Awareness Day.

Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant sites are joining system of care communities in staging this youth action for Awareness Day across the country.

For more information, click on the logo below:

This year, Awareness Day will mark its 5th anniversary, as well as a first-time focus on the topic of early childhood. Communities across the country will observe the day with events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and increase understanding of the mental health needs of children and their families.

Awareness Day 2010 will specifically focus on increasing basic awareness of the importance positive mental health has on a child’s healthy development, with the key message that “positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth.”

Awareness Day efforts will encourage the following actions

1. Integrate mental health into every environment that impacts child development from birth
2. Nurture the social and emotional well-being of children from birth
3. Look for and discuss milestones of a child’s social and emotional development from birth

For additional resources on child and adolescent mental health, click the link below:

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (Awareness Day) is a day for everyone to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. Awareness Day raises awareness of effective programs for children’s mental health needs; demonstrates how children’s mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery, and resilience; and shows how children with mental health needs thrive in their communities.

On Thursday, May 6, 2010, Awareness Day will mark its 5th anniversary, as well as a first-time focus on the topic of early childhood. Communities across the country will observe the day with events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and increase understanding of the mental health needs of children and their families.