I guess this is a good-a-way as any to start the conversation about a condition I still don't know enough about let alone sit here and tell you all I have been diagnosed with BPD. Here goes...
Borderline Arts uses the arts to raise awareness of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - a severe and enduring mental health condition. Through increasing understanding of the condition, we of course educate people, but also break down the stigma surrounding it.
1% of the population have a diagnosis of BPD and 1 in 10 individuals with BPD die from suicide. Despite this, very few people know what BPD is or how to effectively support those with the condition. There is no charity in England that specifically raises awareness and reduces the stigma surrounding BPD. So we founded Borderline to change this!
Through our work, we aim to:
- Raise Awareness of BPD to the general public to help reduce stigma to improve attitudes to individuals with the condition
- Encourage social inclusion for sufferers
- Educate carers & professionals, thereby improving the quality of care and relationships for those with BPD
- Strengthen and enrich the local community through the arts
We aim to empower individuals with the condition to express their experience of the condition in creative ways - this not only helps to raise awareness, but also gives them a voice and a realisation that having the illness is not something to be ashamed of at all. This in itself increases their self-esteem and confidence and to feel validated and accepted in who they are. Borderline Arts also aims to improve the quantity and quality of care provided for those with BPD by educating carers and professionals about the condition and how to help those with it.
Borderline Arts is ran entirely by volunteers, so all funds are used for the vital and life saving work that is done.
The overnight art a thon is raising money for this essential work and so any donations are incredibly appriciated and valued!!
