Part 1 of my interview with Dr. Parvinder Shergil, a Psychiatrist working within the NHS who is also a film maker and podcaster working tirelessly to combat stigma towards mental illness and create new narratives about mental health struggles, and recovery. Her podcast, The Mental Health Book Club, has won an award from The Royal College of Psychiatrists and is available here: https://www.mentalhealthnewsradionetwork.com/our-shows/the-mental-health-book-club-podcast/ Please note: The sound quality is not great in this episode... but it should be audible.

I’m delighted to announce that Beyond the Borderline has a new sponsor: COPE NOTES! Founded by peer advocate, suicide survivor, speaker and musician Johnny Crowder, COPE NOTES is a research based mental health support tool that brings you daily texts including peer support plus tips, tools and exercises created by mental health professionals, all for under $10 per month. And it’s available internationally. COPE NOTES is anonymous, and you can cancel at any time. To try COPE NOTES use this link: https://copenotes.com/subscribe/?affiliate=Beyond

In this episode I interview stand up comedian, 4 time TedX speaker and suicide prevention advocate Frank King about his history of depression and suicidal ideation, and how he uses humour as a weapon in his suicide prevention advocacy work. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes frank discussions of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are currently suicidal or at risk of self harm in the UK you can call: The Samaritans for free on 116 123, Papyrus (Under 35 year olds) on 0800 068 41 41. Childline (Under 18 year olds) on 0800 1111. If you have seriously harmed yourself please call 999 in the UK. In the US: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. To find out more about Frank King: http://www.TheMentalHealthComedian.com http://www.YourTEDxCoach.com http://www.facebook.com/thementalhealthcomedian http://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthcomedian http://www.twitter.com/theMHcomedian https://www.youtube.com/thementalhealthcomedian https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankkingthemhcomedian TedX Talks on You Tube: Born to Be Funny https://youtu.be/mugOzr6ItFk Mental With Benefits https://youtu.be/mCnsHSdAn48 A Matter of Laugh or Death https://youtu.be/IeMg6OFYfU0 Suicide, The Secret of My Success https://youtu.be/3D4m33DXtsI

Warning! This episode is me rambling a lot. That said I do my best to take on a topic suggested by listeners - Jealousy and BPD. As always I share tips, tools, strategies and real life examples of my own ( as a person with BPD who gets jealous) ... of feeling jealousy and figuring out how deal with it. Books referred to in the episode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skills-Training-Handouts-Worksheets-Second/dp/1572307811/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=marsha+linehan&qid=1598219401&sprefix=marsha+&sr=8-2 and https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=high+conflict+couple&sprefix=high+conf&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9

This month I bring you an interview with multifaceted mental health advocate Johnny Crowder. Johnny Crowder is a 27-year-old suicide/abuse survivor, touring musician, mental health advocate, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health resource. Whether speaking at events or on the road with his band, Prison, Johnny's firsthand experience with multiple mental health diagnoses (ranging from bipolar disorder and OCD to schizophrenia) uniquely equips him to provide creative insight into the pains of hardship with levity and wit. Website: copenotes.com Podcast: copenotes.com/podcast (or wherever you find podcasts) FB: facebook.com/johnnyxcrowder & facebook.com/copenotes IG: instagram.com/johnnycrowderlovesyou & instagram.com/copenotes Twitter: twitter.com/copenotes LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnnycrowder & linkedin.com/company/copenotes Headshots (pick your favorite): copenotes.com/headshots TEDx Talk: copenotes.com/tedx Brochure: copenotes.com/brochure Explainer Video: copenotes.com/video

Gabby is the blogger and author behind Normal is Too Mainstream, a blog devoted to sharing her journey and favourite ways of coping with BPD, anxiety and depression. In this episode I interviewed Gabby about how advocacy and creativity via blogging help her deal with BPD. We also touch on DBT skills, how to help a loved one with BPD, useful books on BPD and more! You don’t want to miss this episode. Resources mentioned: http//www.normalistoomainstream.wordpress.com https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003TXT5MY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LW8UZVX/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://survivingcptsd.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/dbt_skills_training_handouts_and_worksheets_-_linehan_marsha_srg_.pdf https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Loving-Someone-with-Borderline-Personality-Disorder-Audiobook/B017Y8MP8K?source_code=M2M30DFT1BkSH11221601A7&&ipRedirectOverride=true

In this episode of Beyond the Borderline I walk you through how to make your very own Coping Tool Box. Making a Coping Tool Box is a fun, creative way to put together a set of personalised tools you can access at any time of day or night to manage difficult thoughts, emotions and situations. Articles about making a Coping Toolbox: https://lighthouseemotionalwellness.com/Creating-a-Coping-Skills-Toolbox https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.goodtherapy.org/blog/12-skills-strategies-to-add-to-your-anxiety-toolbox-0421165/amp/ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=92i5m3tV5XY

The whole world is in lockdown right now due to the unprecedented Covid-19 health crisis. Everyone’s mental and emotional health is being tested, and, for those of us with BPD and other long term mental and emotional health challenges, the stress of the current situation may be adding to our vulnerabilities. In this episode I share some of the coping strategies that are helping to keep me (relatively) sane. Hopefully it will give some ideas on how to cope effectively during this difficult time.

It’s a fact: despite the UK’s National Health Service many of us with BPD (and other mental health conditions) do not get the kind of professional mental health support we need. This episode is not intended as a substitute for professional care. Rather, it’s a review of 10 tools I find helpful as part of my self-care and support system as I do my best to navigate living with BPD.

A listener suggestion prompted this episode on memory problems and BPD. In this episode I explore some of my experiences with memory problems as part of BPD and Depression, and I share 5 tips to help with memory problems associated with mental health. Body scan meditation: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OS_iqfGjL78&t=619s.