The SANE Blog

We know from our community, and research, that Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the most misunderstood and stigmatised mental health conditions out there. 

Film and television portrayals of BPD have not helped, and in many ways have contributed to the negative stereotypes that still exist, including unhelpful and inaccurate notions relating to behaviour, relationships, and recovery prospects.  

Why is this important? 

At SANE, we hear stories from our community that their diagnosis of BPD has often led to stigma and discomfort in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their personal lives. For example, there have been experiences of workplaces challenging the need for sick days, and reports of exclusion from social situations leading to feelings of alienation.  

Stigma can be detrimental to those with complex mental health issues and can also stop people from getting the help they need or from living a full and meaningful life. 

It’s important to understand why stigma is damaging, and know how to manage the stigma that many people with BPD still face. 

Share your thoughts and create a conversation about psychosocial wellbeing.

It’s time to have a conversation about living well.

In this latest edition of our Bridging the Gaps survey series, SANE wants to learn more about what day to day life is really like when you’re living with complex mental health needs.

We’re inviting anyone with experience of mental ill health to take part in a short survey about mental health and quality of life. We want to hear your opinions and capture what can be changed and improved.

Survey results will be used to support advocacy for better access to much needed care. We will share your thoughts anonymously on the SANE website and social media channels during Mental Health Awareness Month in October.

We want your voice to be heard loud and clear.

Please complete the short survey below before Saturday September 30 and be part of this important conversation.

Fi is a SANE Peer Ambassador. Her lived experience of anxiety, depression, and PTSD extends past her own personal conditions. As a carer for her child, who throughout her teens had mental health challenges, Fi knows all too well the best way to improve anyone’s mental health and overall wellbeing is to take ownership of it. 

For over 40 years Fi has managed her own fluctuating anxiety and PTSD, along with other chronic health conditions. Providing ongoing parental care and support to her child has been a journey that has seen Fi constantly reassess support options as they continue to try and be their very best. 

SANE spoke to Fi as part of Women’s Health Week 2023 about the emphasis she places on drawing on a wide range of supporters, both human and animal, to help deal with the family’s complex mental health issues. 

Fi advocates that ‘ownership’ is the best way to deal with complex mental health, combined with a mix of formal and informal support. In Fi’s case her Labradoodle, named Noodle, has provided much needed constant care and support. 

"I know it’s my responsibility to ensure I feel well myself, first and foremost, so I can support others and get done what I need to do,” she says. Fi is now healthy, managing her symptoms, and her child lives independently with Noodle.  

Books are a special kind of magic.  

Reading can help us to step into the minds of other people, both fictional and non-fictional. When it comes to mental health, reading about other people’s experiences can allow us to understand ourselves more, and to feel less alone. 

As part of Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we’re sharing six touching books on this topic. We’ve included some popular books and some that are not so well known. This is not an exhaustive list; there are hundreds of amazing books out there! 

A quick note: please be mindful that many of these books contain explicit discussions around disordered eating, weight, body image, and trauma. We encourage you to pick up these books only if you’re in the right mindset to read about these topics. The links provide more information about content warnings submitted by readers, if you would like to learn more about the topics to expect. 

Non-fiction books 

I’m Glad My Mom Died 

Presenter, Mamamia online editor and journalist, Elfy Scott is the author of The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About, a book about her lived experience of her mother’s complex mental health condition. We spoke to Elfy, who lives in Sydney with her partner, for Women’s Mental Health Week.

Father’s Day can impact different people in different ways. For some it’s a happy time, for others it may create difficult emotions or memories. 

SANE Team Member Matt not only plays an important role helping to support people with complex mental health conditions. He’s also navigating being a Dad to 3-week-old Matilda and Marty, 2 years of age. 

This week, SANE is celebrating the strength and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the profound and long-term connection they have with the land and water around us, and recognise the immense history, culture and knowledge they bring and generously share with us all.

Work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be very challenging to deal with, but there are ways to manage it more effectively.  

PTSD can develop in response to witnessing or experiencing very shocking, extreme or sudden events. This can include events that happen at work, such as severe accidents and injuries, sexual harassment or assault, bullying, emotional or physical abuse or discrimination.  

Last Friday was National Sorry Day or National Day of Healing. This day is in memory of ‘The Stolen Generations’ of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, many of whom were forcibly removed from their families to be assimilated into ‘white’ Australian culture.

Engaging in meaningful work is an important part of many people’s lives, including those living with schizophrenia. Many people with schizophrenia can absolutely find a job and thrive in the workplace, and work across a variety of industries and positions. This is especially the case when they have the right supports in place.