For those wishing to share their story (either as a person with lived experience or a family member/friend) it can be extremely rewarding as well as helping to destigmatise mental illness.
However, there are some major factors you should consider before sharing your story.
The Foundation has written two guides for people considering sharing their story in the BPD Advocate:-
1) For people with lived experience of borderline personality disorder (BPD)
2) For carers/family/support people
Please also check out the information on the WayAhead page (NSW)
For those that may be interested in considering peer work or for organisation seeking to employ peer workers we have included a number of interesting links.
Project Air Strategy for Personality Disorders (NSW)
Project Air have developed a comprehensive range of treatment guidelines and intervention manuals available for free download.
Project Air Peers Facilitator Manual
This manual is for peer workers, mental health professionals and services who are interested in providing co-facilitated programs for individuals with personality disorder. It is recommended that peer workers involved in the program have lived experience of personality disorder (with traits resembling borderline personality disorder) and have undergone the training associated with delivering and using this intervention manual. Clinicians delivering the intervention should be adequately qualified and both peer workers and mental health clinicians should be engaged in regular supervision, peer consultation, and other continuous professional development.
Peer Support Program Participant workbook
This workbook is for participants taking part in Project Air Strategy Peer support for people with personality disorder as outlined in the Project Air Strategy Peers Facilitator Manual.
National Mental Health Commission:
Mental Health Peer Work Development and Promotion
Consumer and Carer Engagement Project
NSW Mental Health Commission
Orygen: National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health
Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network (Australia)
Professional Development
NSW: Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Course - courses throughout the year