Capital Health Network

A complex mental health issue that emerges in early adulthood is borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is a personality disorder classified by on-going behaviour and internal experience that causes decreasing functioning and increasing distress over time. BPD effects 1-3% of the population and has a lifetime prevalence of 5.9%.

To assist identifying and meeting the need in the ACT for BPD-specific interventions, CHN funded the University of Canberra to conduct an early intervention pilot program. The program utilises dialectical behavioural therapy performed by student clinicians under supervision of skilled psychologists. The program teaches clients skills which can then be effectively adapted to their environment and reduce psychological distress. These skills are transferrable through all areas of an individual’s life. During the first phase of this project, clients exhibited on average a 20% reduction in clinical symptoms including psychological distress, depressive symptoms and dysfunctional coping. The service has improved the capacity for a new psychological workforce to work with persons with emerging complex mental health concerns.