BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

In-person peer support groups in Nanaimo New Westminster Vancouver Victoria. These groups are free to attendees and are open to people with BPD (with or without a formal diagnosis) as well as family members partners friends and other supports of people with BPD. The groups provide information validation shared experience helpful skills and hope. The groups are a safe non-judgmental place to discuss hard topics such as suicidal ideation self harm isolation relationship/family issues etc. We commonly hear from attendees that they no longer feel alone have been able to build better relationships and many have realized a decrease in suicidal thoughts self harm and addiction issues. Attendees are referred by health care professionals hospitals treatment facilities other health-related organizations word-of-mouth and self-referral. On-line peer support group. This group follows the same format as the in-person groups but is delivered via Zoom with attendees from within BC and across Canada. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Multi-Skills delivered virtually. These are delivered by contracted clinical leaders trained in DBT. Over a 24-week period ten attendees meet weekly in a group format as well as individually with the clinical leads. The 10 attendees learn and practice DBT skills (considered to be the gold-standard treatment for BPD). Although attendees pay a fee to participate in these groups the fee is heavily subsidized through the BPD Society's fundraising events and donations making this treatment much more accessible than what is available through for-profit resources. Awareness campaigns/Speakers Bureau. The BPD Society delivers information sessions to health professionals educational programs community organizations and to the public and participates in mental health awareness events. The BPD Awareness Day was founded by the BPD Society in 2019. In May of each year we present an on-line event with featured speakers from a variety of backgrounds including those living with BPD family members health professionals etc. and various in-person events hosted in communities around BC. The BPD Society partners with other community and non-profit organizations to bring awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness addiction and suicide prevention.