The first week of October (1-7 October) has been declared BPD Awareness Week in Australia to raise awareness about the stigmatised and often discriminated against complex mental illness known as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Please support us to refresh the website and develop this year's resources. See www.bpdawareness.com.au for previous campaigns.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common mental illness impacting between 2-5% of the population. People experience a pattern of behaviours and symptoms that can be recognised by trained, experienced health professionals. It is a condition of the brain and mind, is not their fault, and they did not cause it.

A diagnosis of BPD often results in much personal suffering, in addition to distress to their family, friends and colleagues and substantial medical and welfare costs. People can experience:

• struggles with a sense of self and difficulty feeling comfortable in themselves
• living with high levels of self-hatred, worthlessness, and hopelessness
• challenges in relationships
• high levels of distress and anger (may be internalised or externalised)
• challenges in controlling their intense emotions and impulses
• self-harming behaviours and/or have thoughts of suicide.