Pilot project for a recovery-oriented, DBT-informed skill-building education course for families of adults with borderline personality, bipolar or major depressive disorders.

There are a variety of educational interventions for families who have a relative with a mental health disorder. However, for those with one or more emotion dysregulation disorders, there are limited options. This article reports on the results of a pilot project using a quasi-experimental design with a sample of 270 (intervention = 217, control = 53) to assess an intervention, Getting Off the Emotional Roller Coaster Skill-Building Family Education Course (GOER Family Course), for families coping with and managing emotion regulation disorders in a loved one which are often misdiagnosed or co-occurring. This intervention was effective in reducing caregiver burden [F(1, 120) = 12.25, p = 0.001], while improving attitudes, knowledge, and skills [F(1, 170) = 6.16, p = 0.014]. It fills an important gap in available resources for families faced with challenges and responsibilities that these disorders can present, especially when inaccurately diagnosed or receiving ineffective treatment. While there is a need for further research and adaptation to virtual learning, the preliminary results show positive effects.