Topic Tuesday: What would you say to public policy makers?

You are so right-virtually no services. I have to rely of Accident and Emergency and the MHU if I get into strife

Hi I'm from the BPD Community. I believe our issues may differ from the concerns of other mental illnesses, although there is much in common.

1. access to services is our primary concern. Recovery from BPD is possible but getting a diagnosis is very difficult, getting treatment is more than very difficult.

2. education and support for carers is especially important in the BPD world. BPD can be inter generational and even those without a BPD diagnosis can experience the BPD traits because they have grown in a BPD world. Also, given the nature of the disorder the role of the carer can be thought of as more challenging than other disorders. Where stigma and discrimination exists in the commmunity for all mental illness, BPD suffers from stigma and discrimination in the clinical professions also.

3.suicide prevention and support is critical. About 10% of those with BPD will successfully suicide. Many others self harm. Those with BPD suffer at the hands of the emergency health staff. Stories are legion of the negative experiences of those with BPD. Most recently I know of a young woman who admitted herself because of her fear she would suicide. After 3 days she was discharged with some sleeping tablets and no follow up. She has since been diagnosed with BPD. Unfortunately the health professionals to whom she has been referred for support, have it seems discouraged the family member who was advocating for her and now we don't know what treatment or support she is eligible for or receiving.

4. physical health. Eating disorders and drug abuse are often a part of the person with BPDs life. As is depression and anxiety. These co morbidities lead to damaged physical health. A healrthy lifestyle is a valuable part of recovery. There are I believe studies that measure the poorer physical health of people with BPD.

5. Loneliness. Difficulty in maintaining relationships is a key component of the diagnostic criteria. With treatment, this can be addressed. However, treatment is available to very few.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts so far!

The following questions are about the messaging behind each of those topics you have just identified.

Advocates who are being upskilled to go to policy makers, will be given a set of resources and information for the person they are advocating to.

For each topic there will be a 'statement' to explain the topic, then a 'request' to the person for how they can ensure that topic doesn't remain an issue for people impacted by mental health difficulties.

These are short and sharp statements that are direct and to the point of what the issue is and how it can be solved or reduced.

What MIFA want to know is if the wording, the tone and the content is suitable and representative.

So the first statement is for:

Access to services

Statement:

People living with severe mental illness, including those experiencing a first episode of illness need timely local access to a range of services and supports

Request:

We want you to ensure that access to a wide range of both clinical and community supports are available to all people living with severe mental illness. Access must be timely, at no cost and easy to locate within the community

What are your thoughts on this statement and request?

Love your answer Viv. I'm also BPD and facing the same issues.

I guess my comment on those would be to ensure that they actually have benchmarks to judge their success. Currently it is an outsourced sertvice by Government that is process drive , not judged by success in placing people.

It is also has questionable practices in some instances.

My experience from the ones I have dealt wwith has been very very dissappointing.

I think the wording is quite satisfactory.

The statement re timely local access doesn't sound quite right for someone with BPD in that the difficulty begins with getting a diagnosis.

To get a diagnosis needs a careful assessment over a period of time.

A person with BPD can have complete recovery, it is access to treatment that is essential.

Gee I am taking too long to respond...

its fine as an aspiration, but very general. Will the support material actually quantify how this is to be achieved by the target audience. For example it would be a very different set of requests to a local MP and something quite different to a Minister.