You are here: MAKE A DIFFERENCE
  
 Why is BPD More Misunderstood, Stigmatized, and Under-Funded Compared to Other Mental Illnesses?
Famous personalities who are thought to have suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder include Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Adolph Hitler, the character portrayed by Winona Ryder in the film Girl, Interrupted, the roommate in the film Single White Female, and the character portrayed by Glenn Close in the film Fatal Attraction, among others.

Media stereotypes have enhanced the most severe symptoms of BPD and increased the stigma rather than promoting education and providing support for those who struggle to cope in real life. Without the emergence of a celebrity or well-known and highly-respected individual who is diagnosed and functioning with BPD to spark a more positive and hope-inspiring media campaign to generate awareness and support, individuals with BPD will likely continue to be considered 'untreatable burdens' by the public, given lower priority for research funding within the mental health community, and denied coverage for treatment by the healthcare industry.
  
 How Can You MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Many want to be supportive, but are at a loss when it comes to knowing how to cope or what to do.


RIGHT NOW, you can
EMBRACE CHANGE:
  
 Within a Community
Increase BPD Awareness and show your support of your loved one and research by wearing an EMBRACElet.



For EMBRACElet product information and to place an order, please visit our EMBRACElets page.
  
 With Your Body: Walk For Awareness
If you have volunteer or coordination experience that would contribute to planning and execution of a Shades of Grey BPD Awareness Walk either in NYC or your local area, please send us an email detailing how your skills would be best utilized and where you are located, and we will put you in touch with others interested in holding an event in your area.
  
 With Your Skills: Volunteer
Shades of Grey and other BPD advocacy organizations are always in need of volunteers to assist in raising awareness, web development, fundraising, legal and accounting services, and the coordination and organization of support efforts.

If you are willing to volunteer your time and skills in any of these areas, please
email Shades of Grey.
  
 With Your Participation: BPD Research
Parents of people living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have unique information about the early symptoms of the disorder and about the consequences of BPD for families of affected individuals. NEA-BPD is working with researchers on a new study looking at these important and underexplored areas. Please help us by completing an anonymous on-line survey about the childhoods and adolescences of your sons and daughters (both those with and those without BPD), and about the impact BPD has had on your life by clicking:

NEA-BPD Parent Survey
  
 With Your Creativity: Lead an Advocacy Project
Do you have ideas for new activities which are in line with the Shades of Grey mission? If so, we want to hear from you.

Send us an email

with more details about yourself and your idea and we will get back to you shortly with opportunities for collaboration.
  
 With Your Resources: Make a Contribution
Contributions are greatly appreciated, and are used to fund the operation of www.bpdawareness.org and support efforts in line with the Shades of Grey mission.

Make a secure contribution via PayPal by clicking below:





Thank You!
  
 YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE


The often chaotic experience of BPD affects not only those who are diagnosed, but also their families and loved ones.
Their suffering touches the lives of the researchers and medical professionals who devote their lives to
understanding and treating this complex and painful mental illness.

Thank you for your support!
  
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