The Liberal Party committed during the election campaign to spend $10 million on increased funding for services to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), which has been linked to the suicides of several young South Australian women over the past three years.

InDaily has published a series of reports since 2014 on the difficulty and trauma involved in securing appropriate treatment for those with BPD in South Australia, and the stigma surrounding the condition among some health professionals.

Health Minister Stephen Wade told InDaily funding for a centre for excellence based on successful interstate models would appear in next month’s state budget.

The centre, he said, will be located near Adelaide’s CBD.

“Improving the mental health of South Australians managing psychiatric illness is one of the most important health policy objectives of the new State Government,” said Wade.

“With up to 68,000 South Australians experiencing BPD, it’s critical that we establish a coordinated, statewide response that offers effective support for people grappling with this illness.”

The BPD service will also include “hubs” set up within local health networks across Adelaide, as well as:

• Housing and employment services for people with the condition and their carers.
• An ‘early years and new mothers’ program.
• A support program for young people at risk of developing BPD.