Case studies
Moray borderline personality disorder peer support network
The Moray Support Network was set up in Elgin by people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in January 2006. Its aim is to provide opportunities for members to help each other make positive changes in their lives. The group is supported by a small amount of Choose Life funding for books, folders and printing.
The Network demonstrates how the guiding principles of participation and empowerment can be put into practice. Members own the group and they manage their own activities, while at the same time working in partnership with a health service professional. Group members believe that, because they understand their own needs best, they must take an active part in their own treatment. The role of the professional is to facilitate members' journeys towards recovery.
Treatment for BPD - a term used to describe a complex range of intense behaviours and feelings, usually takes the form of medications together with appropriate individual or group therapy. Health services in Elgin, a relatively remote and small town in North East Scotland, could not provide the specialist resources required. Determined to fill the gap, Jo Mullen and Dee Sutherland worked with community psychiatric nurse Lisa Edwards to set up and run the Moray BPD Support Network. The project later won an Excellence and Innovation award from the Mental Health Nursing Forum (Scotland).
