In Person Meetings
Our chapter now has three different in-person peer support groups taking place.
Two on Thursday evenings, and operate in parallel with the 7:00 PM ET virtual Thursday group.
The Oxon Hill meeting at United Methodist Church at 6400 Livingston Road is temporarily suspended as of June 5, 2022.
The meeting at Foundry United Methodist Church at 1500 16th St NW has moved its start time to 7:15 PM ET. Parking is now largely restricted on 16th Street NW until 7:00 PM. A 7:15 start allows participants to park more easily. The group finishes by 8:45 PM, and the church closes at 9:00 PM.
The Beltsville group has moved to a hybrid meeting structure. It will continue to meet virtually at 7:00 PM ET on the second Monday of each month. The fourth Monday of the month, also at 7:00 PM ET, will be an in-person meeting at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church at 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville, MD.
The Montgomery County peer support group is still considering when it may return to in-person meetings.
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Annual Conference
Mental Health America’s 2022 Annual Conference Forward Together: Recovery, Healing, Hope, is taking place June 9-11 in Washington, DC, and online. One of the featured speakers is Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland's 8th Congressional District. Registration for the general public for the live-streamed version is free, but closes June 6.
2022 Conference Registration
A Survey From DBSA National
Older Adults Living with Depression AND Chronic Physical Health Conditions https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/depressionANDhealth
Upcoming Speaker Events
COVID Sense & Sensibilities: The Tsunami of Depression/Anxiety, Sleep & Public Stress Meet Research Advances & the Goal of Health Maintenance
On Thursday, June 16 at 6:00 PM EDT Dr. Frederick Jacobsen, our Chapter’s Medical Advisor, will give his annual presentation on new developments in understanding and treatment options for mood disorders.
Pre-registration is required for this program. Please note that this program will be recorded.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlf-yspzgoGNVq2h5cFBCtMyfTG104SCMF
Dr. Jacobsen studied neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University before receiving dual MD & MPH degrees as a James Scholar at University of Illinois in Chicago. Following his Medical Internship & Residency in Psychiatry at Yale University, he came to the National Institute of Mental Health to research affective illness and sleep, and conducted the first studies on serotonin in light therapy and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The author of over 80 scientific publications, Dr. Jacobsen has pioneered treatments for depression, insomnia, memory loss, and migraine, and has a particular interest in Bipolar illness. As the founding Medical Director of the Transcultural Mental Health Institute, he is involved in patient advocacy and cross-cultural public health through lecturing, consulting, and participating in mental health delegations in over 30 countries.
Additionally, Dr. Jacobsen is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington Univ. School of Medicine and is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Sleep Medicine and Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry. A Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Jacobsen has received the Distinguished Psychiatrist Award from NAMI and the National Chapter Professional Advisor Award from DBSA. He supplements his professional work with an interest in photography and the arts.
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On Thursday, July 21, 2002, Dr. Keming Gao MD, PhD and Director of Mood Disorders Program at UH Cleveland Medical Center, will speak on "Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: What patients and families should know" Info on registering and connecting via Zoom coming soon.
Weekly Trauma & Substance Abuse Online Support Group
CHOICES Trauma Informed 12 Step Peer Support Group, for those addressing substance abuse and trauma issues (Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM Eastern) meetings are on Zoom. It offers an alternative to traditional AA/NA 12 step programs.
https://choicesihar.org/peer-support-groups.html
Annual Conference
Mental Health America’s 2022 Annual Conference Forward Together: Recovery, Healing, Hope, is June 9-11 in Washington, DC, and online. A featured speaker is Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland's 8th Congressional District. Registration for the general public for the live-streamed version is free, but closes June 6.
2022 Conference Registration
Webinars
AFSP Advocacy Forum - Tuesday June 7, 3:00 - 5:00 PM EDT
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Join us LIVE via Facebook Live and YouTube Live
Each year, the Advocacy Forum brings together AFSP volunteer Field Advocates from across the country to learn about the federal policies that can save lives. This year, AFSP Advocates will join together virtually once again to make their voices heard throughout the country for suicide prevention and mental health
MHA - A Bi-Directional Approach To Bring Together Public Health and Mental Health - virtual program - Tuesday June 7, 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM EDT
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mhas-2022-national-policy-institute-a-bi-directional-approach-tickets-320979687887
NIH webinar on National Academies Report on Measuring Sex,
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation - Thursday June 9 -
2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT:
Scientific Webinar Series | DPCPSI
Helping Every Student in Need: a 5 Year Vision for School-Based Mental Health (Pre-recorded)
https://www.nasmhpd.org/content/ta-coalition-webinar-helping-every-student-need-5-year-vision-school-based-mental-health
From DBSA California - 4 Ways Not to React To Someone With Depression or Crisis - Healthier Alternatives:
https://mailchi.mp/71ba0a4a39f4/4-ways-to-help-family-friends-with-mood-disorders?e=aab75b46fe
Global Loneliness Awareness Week 2022 event - Conversations on Belonging, Connection, & Wellbeing - Wednesday June 15, 5:30 PM EDT
Conversations on Belonging, Connection, and Wellbeing
Conversations on Belonging, Connection, and Wellbeing
Research Study
University of Maryland study for teens with mood disorders
and their parents
The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is conducting a study to test whether mobile health technologies can be used to measure response to antidepressant treatment in adolescents.
To qualify for the study, teens ages 12-17 must have a mood disorder, be currently treated with antidepressants and have access to a smartphone or tablet. To participate email [email protected] or call 410-706-4369.
Teens will be asked to use a Fitbit (activity tracker) and a mobile app for four weeks. Parents will be asked to use a version of the app specific to them. At the conclusion of the study teens will keep the Fitbit, and parents may receive compensation up to $300. No treatments will be provided in this study.
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Links
From National DBSA: LGBTQ+ Communities and Mental Health
From DBSA California - 4 Ways Not to React To Someone With Depression or Crisis - Healthier Alternatives
7 Surprising Facts about the History of Bipolar | bpHope.com
Bipolar Disorder and Triggers—Take a Look at Your Life | bpHope.com
Helpful Tips for When You Do Not Have an Encouraging Support System | bpHope.com
How Bipolar Has Influenced My Cycle of Friendships | bpHope.com
Prioritizing Mental Health Over Money | bpHope.com
Sleep Hacks: Learning What Makes for a Good Night's Rest | bpHope.com
Why Can Bipolar Depression Feel a Lot Like the Flu? | bpHope.com
