Hi Mitchell,
You make an extremely good point, we do need to build awareness. But one of the big issues in the UK is funding. There is very little money for talking therapies as it is, so expensive specialism are avoided. So for example with PTSD, this breaks down into various different types. But if the treatment is the same for all, why diagnose beyond PTSD ? The Mental Health services in the UK , have long been referred to as the “Cinderella” service of the NHS. Also as those with mental health don’t beat the drum and go on marches, in the way other groups do. So their voice is diminished. But on a up note, you will find the UK is aware of PD, I saw figures only today stating around 50% of stalkers are believed to have a PD, 25% of those in jail also. Also the Police had offender profiling, way before the PD were discovered. So the knowledge is there.
However, we can make change in our own way, and
www.change.org has a petition to increase funding for mental health and also research into BPD. Just go to the site and Google these terms and add your name.
The other big issues, is that those with a PD are genetically programmed to keep that secret. Part of the diagnosis, is ironically, that they cannot hold any negative labels, they will reject a diagnosis so treatment is rare. The USA tends to be 10 years ahead of the UK, as we wait for medications to become genetic (i.e. much cheaper) and therapies to become proven (in American studies).
That said and done, this website is the biggest of it’s kind, and has many recommendations including an NHS Trust. So by contribution here, you will be helping. But what about your particular scenario ? What sort of help and support do you need right now ?