Depression and Bipolar ​Support Alliance
​National Capital Area Chapter

Weekly Update

February 26, 2023

Hello and welcome to the weekly email! If you have a suggestion or news item to share please send to [email protected] by 5:00 pm on Fridays.

Be sure to check out the chapter website at www.dbsanca.org.

Support Groups

As always, a calendar of all meetings, including zoom links, is on our site. https://www.dbsanca.org/supportgroups.html

In Person Support Groups

Tuesday

  • Silver Spring Group, first and third Tuesdays at 7:00 pm​
    Silver Spring United Methodist Church
    ​8900 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Thursday

  • Southern PG Group, weekly at 6:30 pm
    Oxon Hill United Methodist Church
    ​6400 Livingston Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
  • DC Peer Group, weekly at 7:15 pm
    Foundry United Methodist Church
    ​1500 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Virtual Support Groups

Sunday

  • Sunday Peer Group, weekly on Sundays at 6:00 pm

Monday

  • Beltsville Peer Group, second and fourth Mondays at 7:00 pm

Tuesday

  • LGBTQIA+ Peer Group, first and third Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
  • Women's Peer Group, second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

Wednesday

  • Mid-Day Peer Group, Wednesdays at 12:00 pm
  • Montgomery County Peer Group, second and fourth Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

Thursday

  • Thursday Peer Group, weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 pm

Zoom Link for Virtual Meetings

If the provided link is used online, a password should be unnecessary. Please let us know of any difficulties via [email protected].

Invite link for all ZOOM PEER groups: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6625874960?pwd=TU5SZ3lkV3o4TDhDdi9lZU1jZDZMQT09

Meeting ID 662 587 4960 Passcode: dbsanca

One tap mobile +13017158592,,6625874960#,,,,,,0#,,3858633#

Dial in 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 662-587-4960 Passcode: 3858633​

Google Calendar Links

Special Events | Peer In Person | Peer Virtual

These are the links for our Google Calendar. Our Google Calendar is the most up to date source for meeting information, including links, specific locations, and meeting policies. Let us know immediately if you have any difficulty by emailing [email protected].

DBSA NCA Meeting News

The Oxon Hill meeting has resumed and will continue to meet weekly at 6:30 PM on Thursdays.

The Silver Spring meets in the Chapel of the building. It is accessed via the office entrance, which is 20 feet to the left of the main doors to the parking lot. The start of meeting weekly has been delayed to March. Stay tuned for more information.

DBSA National & DBSA Virginia Support Groups 

DBSA National offers New Groups for Parents & Caregivers

DBSA Virginia

There is a virtual family group meeting each Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM. Please contact John Gulka of DBSA Virginia (dbsava.org) in advance to arrange attendance: [email protected], 703-967-5642

DBSA NCA Board and Facilitators Meetings

The chapter's Board and Facilitators will hold their next quarterly meetings in-person as a primarily joint event to discuss how the support groups are doing and plans for future events and outreach activities. It will take place during the midday of Saturday March 11 (including lunch) at the Silver Spring United Methodist Church (site of the new Silver Spring group) at 8900 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

If you have any questions or concerns about current support groups, or suggestions for future activities that you would like the chapter leadership to consider, please reach out to an appropriate facilitator or Board member. Also let us know if you would wish to present any ideas or concerns in person.

DBSA NCA Seeks Volunteers

DBSA NCA is seeking volunteers for the following two positions:

1. Social Media Coordinator: A social media coordinator is needed to help DBSA NCA manage its presence on its various social media platforms. Tasks include posting various items on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter to generate positive feelings towards DBSA NCA

2. Community Outreach Coordinator: A volunteer is needed to manage outreach to various local government and community organizations. Tasks include researching key contacts with local government and community organizations as well as scheduling meetings with key contacts at local government agencies and community organizations.

Contact: Greg Billings via email: [email protected] or 202-440-7714 if interested.

From National DBSA

One of the topics that frequently discussed at our DBSA Support groups meetings is how do I address my mood disorder at work. Should I tell my supervisor/co-workers about my condition? What accommodations are available to me? What are the options when I apply for a position? DBSA National has addressed many of these concerns on their website - https://www.dbsalliance.org/lifestyle/work/ - check it out for more information.

Senator John Fetterman Discloses a Depression Diagnosis - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

DBSA NCA Reading: New and Recommended Books

Weekly Reading Links

Due to an error, last week's email did not include updated reading materials. This week will include those not included in last week's email.

Pandemic Appears to Have Accelerated Brain Aging and Perturbed Neurodevelopment in Adolescents, Study Finds | BBRF

Understanding Mental Health in Black Communities | McLean Hospital

How Did I Get Here? Confronting the Confusion of Bipolar Disorder | bpHope.com

The Power of Offering Ourselves Compassion | bpHope.com

15 Professional Athletes with Bipolar, Depression, or Anxiety | bpHope.com

Breakthroughs, Bipolar, & Taming Your Thoughts | bpHope.com

Ask the Doctor: Blessed Are the Caregivers | bpHope.com

Inflammation of the body may explain depression in the brain - The Washington Post 

New SAMHSA Advisory: Cannabidiol (CBD) – Potential Harms, Side Effects, and Unknowns

Daylight Saving Time and Bipolar Disorder | Scott Ninneman @ Speaking Bipolar | NewsBreak Original 

How we can work together to fight the stigma of bipolar disorder | wcnc.com 

Navigating College with Bipolar Disorder | IBPF 

The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Pharmacologic Intervention Outcomes for Adults With Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review

The Link Between Bipolar & Creativity | bpHope.com

Does Bipolar Become Harder to Manage as We Grow Older? | bpHope.com

Clear Away Clutter & Lower Stress | bpHope.com

The Advice I’d Give My Younger Self | bpHope.com

Winter 2023: New Mental Health Research | bpHope.com

5 Ways to Maximize Results with Your Psychiatrist | bpHope.com

Is It LOVE, Or Is It MANIA? | bpHope.com

The Key to Managing Triggers: Go with the Flow | bpHope.com

Bipolar & Relationships—Reconnecting with or Distancing Ourselves from Others | bpHope.com

Are We Serving Your Needs?

We aim as volunteers to provide you with relevant and easily accessible content. Please let us know if we are successful, and especially if you think there are any changes to our newsletter or website that could better serve you by emailing [email protected].

Contributions to DBSA

Donations to the National DBSA may be made through the website. https://www.dbsalliance.org/

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact us via email or our dedicated voicemail line, 240-780-8706​.

The DBSA NCA Web Team