We have made the decision to close the Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation (ABMF) effective December 31, 2022.

This decision was not taken lightly. Over the last three years our work has brought together people impacted by Borderline Personality Disorder and the broad spectrum of mental illness associated with BPD so that we can thrive. We did this through:

• 14 webinars with a total of 2,116 registrants
• Holding 5 Wellness Support Groups (launched in 2022) with a total of 53 participants
• Helping 176 people through our free, virtual tax clinic (launched in 2022)
• Participating as a panelist during the Making a Difference workshop run by Gerstine Crisis Centre for Toronto Police Service
• Engaging with 55 volunteers
• Preparing the launch of the One-on-One Peer Support program with 11 volunteers with lived experience with BPD.

After losing Ashley, my instinct was to try and save others from the pain of losing a loved one in the way I lost Ashley. I wanted to help others like Ashley; I wanted my lived experience to make a positive difference. Although the foundation has helped people, we are no longer able to provide the level of service we aspire to – that you deserve.
 
Mindfulness involves paying attention to your current experience in a non-judgemental way. Don’t ever be afraid to stop doing something that is no longer working for you. There is no shame in quitting when what you are doing no longer feels right. Just like people come into your life for a reason, season or for a lifetime – so do ideas.
 
I hope that the Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation has made a positive impact on your life and left you with a little more insight and knowledge. I am incredibly grateful to our donors, past and present volunteers, board members and supporters.

If you need help, you can still access a list of resources on the website. I also highly recommend the following organizations we have partnered with in the past:

• Sashbear.org
• Gerstine Crisis Centre

Until we meet again. Stay healthy,

Diane Boca
Founder and Board Chair
 

TORONTO May 17, 2021 - Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation (ABMF) announced today that it has officially achieved Canadian registered charitable status. Charitable Registration Number: 752469536RR0001.

The foundation was created to honour the life of Ashley Boca. In 2018, Ashley lost her battle with Borderline Personality Disorder and died by suicide. She sought help multiple times from a host of organizations and healthcare professionals but was unable to find a treatment that worked for her.

ABMF believes that everyone should have access to the mental support they need—when, where and how they need it. They offer support and educational services to those that are struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the broad spectrum of mental illnesses associated with BPD—and their loved ones. ABMF also works to increase community awareness about mental health and mental illness.

BPD is a serious and misunderstood disorder that manifests differently in each person. 5.9% of adults will have BPD at some point in their lives; it affects 50% more people than Alzheimer’s Disease*. People with BPD are highly sensitive to what is going on around them and can react with intense emotions to small changes in their environment. Imagine being born without an emotional skin; no barrier to ward off real or perceived emotional assaults. Current research suggests that genetic inheritance, biology and environmental experiences all contribute to the development of BPD.

“As the mother of an adult child who suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder, who was pained and paralyzed not knowing how to help my loved one who was consistently misdiagnosed, added to yet another wait list, told they don’t qualify for treatment or that there are others worse off, I didn’t know where to turn,” said Diane Boca, Chair, Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation.

For more information about ABMF and to learn about BPD or to donate, please visit abmf.charity.

*Source: NEABPD: https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org (National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder)