About Us
Families for Borderline Personality Disorder Research is a grassroots group of individuals brought together by an enormous concern for our family members and others with BPD.
We have watched those we care about struggle every day with perplexing demons that interfere with their internal well-being and tremendous potential for achievement. They see progress in those around them while unable themselves to meet challenges successfully or reap the joys of dreams come true. We walk with them as best we can, while continually looking and wishing for answers.
We started our journey together after meeting in a borderline personality disorder family support group. Over time, we have met and talked with many in the mental health field, continually learning and realizing along the way that research into BPD is where answers will be found.
Amazingly, this is what we have learned about research to date:
The biggest impediment to research advances and breakthroughs is the small number of BPD investigators.
Senior BPD research experts are retiring before new young investigators can benefit from their knowledge and guidance.
An estimated 18 million people in the United States experience BPD – a higher prevalence than schizophrenia.
And worst of all…
There is still less funding for BPD research than depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funds BPD research, but only at 2% of what it funds for depression research.
Dr. Thomas R. Insel, former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and recipient of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Productive Lives Award, talks about the importance of private research foundations.
Our Research Partnership with BBRF
Families for Borderline Personality Disorder Research has been fortunate to establish a Research Partnership (since 2011) with the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), which supports the most promising ground-breaking mental illness research. For the advancement of BPD research, this partnership has provided a wonderful vehicle – where anyone anywhere can donate to support talented young BPD investigators.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has raised more than $430 million since 1987, funding over 6,200 research grants awarded to scientists worldwide dedicated to improving the lives of those living with mental illnesses like borderline personality disorder. One hundred percent (100%) of every donation to the Foundation for research is invested in research grants.
Our Research Partnership with BBRF, allows us and others from around the world to fund research grants to promising young investigators in BPD research. Young Investigators who are most likely to make scientific advances and breakthroughs are carefully chosen by BBRF’s prestigious Scientific Council. BBRF grant awards can greatly increase eligibility for grants from other organizations such as NIMH.
BY THE NUMBERS
In conjunction with the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and this research partnership, 15 Young Investigators have been funded.