# MHApps BPD – Audio Interview Family Support Carer Friend BPD EUPD – Options For Support For Loved Ones

Family
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- Family Support of BPD
- Family Support for BPD For people with mental health difficulties families are almost always the main source of support; Likewise for people with borderline or emotion dysregulation issues. Whether you are a partner, spouse, parent, sibling or friend - having a relationship with someone with these problems can be exhausting and worrying. The core difficulties of intense emotionality, impulsive and self harming behaviours, unrelenting feelings of emptiness or unworthiness can put unbelievable pressure on even the most robust relationships. There has been a lot of research into the impact for families and carers of people with mental health issues; these are called burden of care studies. Research has concluded that families of persons with mental health difficulties are more at risk of psychological/ emotional difficulties themselves than the community norm. This is not because these families cope less well than other families, but the stresses involved in supporting their relative is above and beyond what most families can deal with. So Families have needs too and these needs should be acknowledged and provided for.
  Programmes that support families with information and coping skills can enhance their coping, hopefully reducing the impact and increasing family resilience. Some mental health services provide family support programmes that are tailored specifically for EUPD/ borderline issues; other family support programmes such as that offered by Shine are more generic in that they offer a supportive space for family to meet and support each other, endorsing self care; and with an overall focus on mental health recovery. The Cluain Mhuire Service under the auspices of St John of God Service have offered a family education and coping skills programme for EUPD or Borderline issues since 2007; this 9 week programme is offered annually and is currently being evaluated. Cork Mental Health Services offer a family programme based on Family Connections a programme of US origins which has been evaluated in the US. We hope that more mental health services can develop family education and support services in recognition of families support needs. If you are caring for a loved one with EUPD, do link in with the service your relative attends or contact Shine at Shineonline .ie for information of family support.

Family
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