[If this Support Group is not able to be delivered in person due to imposed COVID-19 restrictions, it will be offered via zoom]
NB: Tickets for this session will only become available after the previous session has happened, one month prior. For example February's session will become available in January, March's session in February, and so on.
This carer support group is for families, friends and carers supporting someone with a diagnosis (or a likely diagnosis of) borderline personality disorder (BPD). It provides an opportunity for family members and carers to connect with those with similar experiences, gain strength, build resilience and hope, and receive support from each other and learn new ways of coping through each other’s experience. You can expect to be treated with care, consideration and dignity in an environment which is safe, private and comfortable. The group is not a therapy group although it may be therapeutic.
Our groups aim to:
- Provide a confidential and non-judgemental space to talk about feelings and concerns with people who may have similar experiences
- Reduce isolation and feelings that ‘it is only happening to me’
- Provide peer support
- Assist with learning and developing skills
- Empower you in your caring journey
- Provide a space to think about new ways of relating to the person with BPD
- Encourage a balance between providing support to others and self-care
The support group is for family and friends of people supporting a person with BPD. Because of differing needs, this group is not for people with borderline personality disorder or paid carers unless they are in a caring role as well.
Meetings are held at either online or onsite at Richmond on the first Wednesday of each month (not in January). Due to the current situation and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 you will need to register for each group to ensure we can meet density limits and/or inform you if we need to switch at short notice to an online meeting.
2022 Support Group Schedule:
- 2 February 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 2 March 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 5 April 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 4 May 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 1 June 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 6 July 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 3 August 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 7 September 2022,7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 5 October 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 2 November 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 7 December 2022, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
NB. Registration for these groups will only open after the previous session has happened i.e. registration for the April session will open on 3rd March, registration for the May session will open 6th April, and so on. You will not be able to register for a session happening more than 30 days from now.
Who runs our groups? The groups are facilitated by a clinician experienced in working with people with BPD and a peer co-facilitator. Speakers from specific areas of mental health may also be invited at the group’s request. The role of the group facilitator is to encourage people in the group to express their opinions, experiences and ideas in a supportive way so that members can learn from each other. Mutual Support Self Help groups are based on the theory of mutual aid, whereby the facilitator helps people to help each other.
Who should attend? Family and friends of people with (or a likely) diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.
Cost: Free, light refreshments are provided.
Cancellation: If your circumstances change and you no longer can attend this event please log into your eventbrite account or email spectrumcarers@easternhealth.org.au to cancel your ticket. We can then offer your place to someone on our waitlist.
General enquiries: Email spectrumcarers@easternhealth.org.au or phone Spectrum (03) 8413 8750.
NB This support group is for those who provide care and support in a voluntary capacity to those experiencing BPD. Because of differing needs, this group is not for people with borderline personality disorder or paid carers unless they in a caring role as well.
COVID-19 Update: Proof of Vaccination is required to attend any in-person training at Spectrum, Eastern Health, Richmond.
