SR0811 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0811 LRB103 39740 MST 70224 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects between one and two percent of the population, which is approximately 250,000 Illinois residents; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of BPD include emotional dysregulation, impulsive behavior, identity disturbances, all-or-nothing thinking, challenges with relationships, self-harm, and suicidality; and

WHEREAS, BPD affects all genders and ages equally throughout the life span, from adolescence to adulthood; however, it is frequently underdiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, Up to 70% of people diagnosed with BPD experience self-harm and attempt suicide during the course of their lifetime; sadly, 10% die by suicide; and

WHEREAS, People diagnosed with BPD may have experienced a history of trauma and abuse; genetics and other factors can play a role in BPD; educating families and those with BPD supports recovery; and

WHEREAS, When symptoms are severe and untreated, BPD can disrupt employment, education, and daily functioning; it can cause other social problems, such as housing insecurity, incarceration, and addiction; increasing access to care for marginalized communities affected by BPD will help save lives; and

WHEREAS, There are five evidence-based treatments for BPD that are effective, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) mentalization-based therapy (MBT), transference-focused therapy (TFP), schema therapy (ST) and general psychiatric management (GPM); while these treatments are effective, they are inaccessible to the vast majority of Illinois residents due to lack of insurance coverage and insufficient provider reimbursement rates; and

WHEREAS, Barriers to care exist as treatment is expensive, hard to find, and often not covered by insurance companies; clinical education and affordable care is necessary to support recovery; and

WHEREAS, With treatment and community support, 90% of people with borderline personality disorder can experience a meaningful recovery; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to increase awareness of BPD among people with lived experience of BPD, their families, mental health professionals, and the general public by promoting public health and clinical education, expanding treatment access, and funding affordable BPD care; and

WHEREAS, Emotions Matter and the National Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder believe that bringing more attention to BPD will help lower the suicide rate associated with this disorder; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May of 2024 as "BPD Month" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Emotions Matter and the National Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder as a symbol of our respect and esteem.