1–7 October marks BPD Awareness Week 2025, a nationwide campaign dedicated to breaking stigma, amplifying voices, and pushing for systemic change in how borderline personality disorder (BPD) is understood and treated in Australia. This year’s theme, “1 in 10: Uniting for Change,” highlights a sobering truth – recent Australian research shows that 1 in 10 suicides are linked to symptoms consistent with a BPD diagnosis. This statistic is more than a number. It represents lives lost, families grieving, and communities left with unanswered questions. It also represents the urgent need for real reform, compassionate care, and unity across the mental health sector.

Despite the evidence, people living with BPD and complex trauma are too often denied the help they need. Harmful myths such as being “untreatable” or “too difficult” continue to linger. These outdated ideas not only silence people but also prevent them from receiving trauma-informed, relational care that could support recovery. “1 in 10: Uniting for Change” is more than a theme – it is a national call to action. It asks clinicians, carers, policymakers, and communities to build a shared understanding and break down silos. At its heart is one simple truth: together, we can and must do better.

For people living with BPD, the message is clear. They want to be heard without judgment. They want clinicians and carers to stay present during times of distress, to recognise strengths beyond symptoms, and to hold hope that recovery is possible. Every person deserves to feel they are not “too complex” for care. The campaign invites people with lived experience to share what support helps most when facing suicidal distress, so services and communities can learn directly from their voices.

Carers, who often stand alongside loved ones through difficult times, also need recognition and inclusion. Many feel blamed or excluded from decision-making while struggling to navigate a system that can feel overwhelming. Carers want empathy, clear information, and guidance on how to support someone they love while protecting their own well-being. This week is a chance for carers to share their perspectives, including what they need from clinicians and services to feel supported in their vital role.

Clinicians, too, face challenges. Many are deeply committed to helping but work within systems stretched by limited time, training, and resources. They carry the tension of wanting to provide care while navigating an environment that can be more focused on targets than human needs. This campaign invites clinicians to reflect on what could help them continue their important work, to move beyond outdated models, and to work towards care that is trauma-informed and recovery-focused.

This year’s BPD Awareness Week Ambassador is Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava, currently competing on the international circuit. Destanee’s role as ambassador is not only about raising visibility but also about showing that people living with mental health challenges can thrive, succeed, and inspire change.
The campaign calls on all Australians to be part of this change. Whether by listening to lived experiences, supporting carers, or advocating for reforms in services and training, every voice matters. Together, we can shape a system where no one is left behind and where people with BPD are met with compassion and evidence-based care.

As part of the campaign, individuals, carers, and clinicians are invited to complete a national survey that will help guide the focus and content of this year’s awareness week. By sharing insights and experiences, the community can co-create a more inclusive and effective response to BPD and suicidal distress.
BPD Awareness Week 2025 is not just about raising awareness. It is about sparking real change. It is about reminding people living with BPD that they are not alone, that recovery is possible, and that every life is worth fighting for. It is about calling on systems and services to do better, together.

At MLA Psychology, we believe in listening deeply, offering trauma-informed care, and walking alongside people and families in their journey of healing. If you or someone you love is struggling with BPD or suicidal distress, know that help is available. Visit MLA Psychology today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our team.