[Panel 1: How to Support Your Friend with Borderline by Christine Deneweth.]

[Panel 2 and 3: Person with short curly brown hair, glasses, and a green shirt. She is saying, “Hi my name is Crass and my best friend Shelby has Borderline Personality Disorder. The key to being an ally for your friend with BPD is empathy, communication, and knowing as much as you can about BPD.” Crass is standing next to her friend, Shelby, who has short blond hair, a baseball cap, and a red t-shirt.]

[Panel 4: Text that says, “First off, let’s learn a few things about BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental disorder characterized by unstable moods, impulsive behaviour, and unstable relationships.”]

[Panel 5: Drawing of a yin and yang symbol. The text says, “Splitting is a term to describe a change in the way someone with BPD views things from one extreme to another. From love to hate.”]

[Panel 6: Drawing of a pink heart. The text says, “Favourite person, or FP, is a person who someone with BPD relied on the most for support, validation, advice, and attention.”]

[Panel 7: Text that says, “An FP isn’t chosen, they just happen. The person with BPD has a compulsion to check that the relationship is free of conflict. They can be platonically, romantically, or sexually attracted to their FP.”]

[Panel 8: Drawing of two people with a pink heart between them. The text says, “An FP is more than a best friend, they are the main source of support for someone with BPD. But not every person with BPD has an FP.”]

[Panel 9: Crass saying, “My biggest tip to be supportive to your friend with BPD is to research BPD. The more you know the better prepared you are to be there for your friend.”]

[Panel 10: Number one. Drawing of a red telephone. The text says, “Communication is key.”]

[Panel 11: Drawing of Crass texting. The text says, “If you’re unable to talk for a day or week, let them know!”]

[Panel 12: Drawing of a pink heart. The text says, “Make sure to reassure them that this doesn’t change the relationship.”]

[Panel 13: Number two. Drawing of an October calendar. The text says, “If you have to cancel plans, let them know ASAP.”]

[Panel 14: Drawing of Crass talking on the phone. The text says, “Don’t leave them worrying. Let them know.”]

[Panel 15: Crass saying, “If you’re canceling because of their behaviour, just be honest. Relationships thrive on honesty and communication.”]

[Panel 16: Number three. Drawing of a pink heart and a purple heart. The text says, “Be empathetic in your responses.”]

[Panel 17: Drawing of Crass talking to Shelby. The text says, “Make sure you think about how what you say will affect them.”]

[Panel 18: Drawing of a green speech bubble. The text says, “Make sure you’re clear with what you say. Make sure it isn’t taken the wrong way. This may involve explaining things more thoroughly.”]

[Panel 19: Number four. Drawing of a fire. The text says, “Splitting, mood swings, and jealousy happen.”]

[Panel 20: Drawing of Shelby. The text says, “Splitting is rapidly going from love to hate. Just remember their feelings are valid!”]

[Panel 21: Drawing of Crass talking to Shelby. The text says, “Just stay calm and remind them you still care no matter what.”]

[Panel 22: Number five. Drawing of a road block. The text says, “Set boundaries.”]

[Panel 23 and 24: Crass saying, “All relationships need boundaries to keep everyone comfortable. Just because you’re a friend doesn’t mean you can’t set boundaries.”]

[Panel 25: Number six. Red exclamation point. The text says, “Your needs matter too.”]

[Panel 26: Drawing of Crass talking on a cellphone. The text says, “If you need a break, say so. Communicate what your needs are.”]

[Panel 27: Drawing of two roads. The text says, “People with BPD want their friends to be happy too. They understand that relationships are a two-way street.”]

[Panel 28: Drawing of a purple heart. The text says, “Remember that it’s hard to have BPD. Empathy is a must, even when you can’t understand or relate to what they’re going through.”]

[Panel 29: Drawing of a cat and a heart. The text says, “Talk as much as you can! Give them tangible forms of affection too! Write notes or draw things for them to hold onto.”]

[Panel 30: Drawing of Crass and Shelby smiling with a pink heart between them. The text says, “It’s an honour to be friends with Shelby. It’s important to me that I’m as good a friend to them as they are to me!”]

Comic made by Christine Deneweth for Everyday Feminism.