SOUTH Australia’s Labor government has rejected calls to fund a specialised Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) service.
MENTAL health care advocates have called for a service similar to the Spectrum clinic in Melbourne, which provides effective treatment and support to people with BPD and their families.
A joint motion by the Greens and Dignity for Disability calling for the service passed in the upper house with the support of the Liberal opposition and crossbenchers. But Labor MLC John Gazzola said the government did not believe there was sufficient evidence to justify funding a specialised BPD service. He said SA Health would look at ways to improve networking for BDP specialists and increasing awareness through existing Mental Health Week activities. Greens MLC Tammy Franks said BDP was a leading cause of suicide with enormous public health costs. She said studies had shown an allocation of about $1.4 million could yield a saving of $100 million per year across mental health services. The SA branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists had previously flagged their support for a specialised service. Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent said people with BDP were languishing on waiting lists for behavioural therapy and often had to seek help in overcrowded emergency departments. Senior psychiatrist Dr Martha Kent, who co-authored a report for the SA government on how to deal with BDP patients, said they were often treated poorly or not taken seriously by hospital staff. Symptoms of BDP include wildly fluctuating mood swings, chronic self-harm, depression and anxiety. * Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.