A Fermanagh mother has created a new support group to help those suffering with Borderline Personality Disorder (BDP). Erin Donnelly from Ederney started the 'Katie's SHINE project' in memory of her late daughter, who tragically died at the age of 18.
Katie had been suffering from the disorder when she died suddenly at the Fermanagh and Omagh Hospital last September. Speaking to Northern Sound, Erin revealed that 'SHINE ' arose from conversations she had with Katie over the negative experiences she encountered with professionals.
Erin believes there is "very little" awareness or understanding when it comes to offering support to those suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, especially when they need it the most. As a result, she hopes 'SHINE' will reduce the stigma and misconceptions that people like Katie faced on a daily basis.
"It’s early days yet, and Katie's SHINE project is in its infancy," explained Erin. "However, the team have lots of plans and ideas in place of how we can successfully educate the community, professionals and support networks on personality disorders, and attempt to reduce the stigma and misconceptions that BPD sufferers face on a daily basis, especially in times of crisis.
"SHINE arose from conversations I had with Katie in relation to her first hand experiences, regarding the negative interactions she had experienced with professionals, when she was in crisis. After Katie died I sat night upon night thinking of all the negative and demoralising comments made to her in the past.
"As far as I am aware there is no charity solely for Borderline Personality Disorder in this country. Katie contacted numerous therapists, and organisations and unfortunately no one was in a place to help and her disorder and her actions on a whole were misunderstood.
"The SHINE project cannot and do not provide treatment or crisis intervention. It would be a long term goal of the project to aim to help progress treatment, readily available or other forms of therapy but unfortunately it’s not something that we are in a place to offer.
"I believe the current waiting list is over two years long for BPD. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible as we are losing too many people to this disorder and there are so many people and their families suffering as a result."
For further information visit: 'Katie's Shine Project' via Facebook.
