Depression and Bipolar ​Support Alliance ​National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update September 19, 2022 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 . DBSA NCA Peer Support Meetings We have resumed in-person meetings. See our Support Groups & Events calendar for more information. This week the chapter will offer Zoom peer support groups as shown on our Support Groups & Events page. Please note that peer groups are for people living with depression and bipolar disorder. The Friends and Family group is for friends and family members of those living with depression or bipolar disorder (or other mental illnesses) to share the challenges of that relationship. The Zoom connection links for groups have changed. To join peer groups, you may use the same link to access any Zoom meeting at its scheduled time. The Friends and Family group (first and third Wednesday evenings) has a different link for its meetings. If the provided link is used online, a password should be unnecessary. Please let us know of any difficulties via [email protected] . ​ See our Support Groups page for up-to-date information on in person and virtual groups. 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 Link https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_jf01i5oim3ibbt9g36ku0ujjf4%40group.calendar.google.com &ctz=America%2FNew_York DBSA NCA Family and Friends Meeting ​ Invite link for the FAMILY & FRIENDS group: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82298544216?pwd=QVpkeVFIeTJvVGJwbmpXNHdWcnVlQT09 Meeting ID: 822 9854 4216 Passcode: dbsanca One tap mobile +13017158592,,82298544216#,,,,*6740529# Dial in 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 822 9854 4216 Passcode: 6740529 Google Calendar Link https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_2aih6ldtp0cojm4h58glb3h3ho%40group.calendar.google.com &ctz=America%2FNew_York News, Events, and Resources In Person Meetings Our chapter currently has three separate in-person support groups taking place. Two are on Thursday evenings, and operate in parallel with the 7:00 PM ET virtual Thursday group. The Oxon Hill UMC at 6400 Livingston Rd. has been suspended until 2023. The DC based Foundry UMC meeting 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 with more ease. The group finishes by 8:45 PM, and the church closes at 9:00 PM. The Beltsville, MD group is going back to virtual only. They meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month. A new Silver Spring, MD in-person group will meet on the first and third Tuesdays at 6:00 PM at the Silver Spring UMC beginning on September 6th. The location is 8900 Georgia Avenue, one mile south of the Capital Beltway, and 1/2 mile north of Colesville Road (Route 29). It's 15 min. walk from the Silver Spring Metro. NEWS FROM OUR CHAPTER DEI- What's It All About? Monday, September 19, 2022 at 5:30pm Central/ 6:30pm EST ONLINE ONLY You may have heard of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but what exactly does each word in this acronym mean? How are these terms similar? How do they differ? This 2-hour, foundational workshop session will define diversity, equity, and inclusion to give the participants working knowledge to apply to foster an inclusive DBSANCA organization for all. We will discuss topics such as social identities, power, dominance, and marginalization as well as intersectionality (the framework that describes how our social identities are interconnected with larger systems of advantage and disadvantage). The session will end with case study scenarios culminating our teachings into real application that we can all use to ensure our mental health services are accessible, inclusive, and available to all, regardless of background. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvd-2vpj8rGdP2qrfHLOL2MDTbviMrB3kp Note: this is only for people associated with our chapter, and limited to 50 persons. UPDATE TO DBSANCA WEBSITE: DBSA NCA Speaker Series Talks by Dr. Jacobsen and Dr. Gao are now live to view at your leisure on our website under Speakers Series. Diagnosis and Treatment of Biopoloar Disorder: What Patients and Families Should Know Dr. Gao Surviving & Thriving: Covid, War, Stress & Despair by Dr. Jacobsen Identification of Symptom-Specific Brain Circuit Abnormalities in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation DBSA National Statement on Gun Violence The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance acknowledges the heaviness many people around the country are feeling in the wake of the recent mass shootings. Click here to read full statement . National DBSA Annual Report 2021 https://annualreport2021.dbsalliance.org/ Gain a closer look at the impact our chapter’s support has had on those living with depression and bipolar disorder. Through education, support, and action, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, along with our community of mental health advocates, is lighting the way for wellness for more people than ever before. MEDICARE HELP The Medicare patient resource center is on a mission to help people with disabilities get the most out of the Medicare program (note: they do not sell or provide healthcare plans). They have published a comprehensive guide to understanding eligibility, coverage, and, most importantly, how to navigate the enrollment process. https://www.medicareplans.com/medicare-coverage-for-people-with- disabilities/ The NIMH Monthly Newsletter Sign up for the latest mental health news, research advances, upcoming events, publications, clinical trials, meeting summaries, and more. In addition to the email newsletter and RSS updates , please also visit NIMH on Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube , where they highlight Science Updates, Press Releases, and other timely matters. ​https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIMH/subscriber/new Further Reading on Bipolar Psych Congress: Bipolar Disorder Across the Spectrum: Novel Screening Tools and Treatment Options | HMP Education Screening and Treatment of Illnesses Psych Congress: Bipolar Disorder Across the Spectrum: Novel Screening Tools and Treatment Options | HMP Education Safety of t-PBM, A Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Technology That Uses Light to Treat Depression & Anxiety https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/team-assesses-safety-t-pbm-non-invasive-brain-stimulation-technology-uses-light-treat? ​ MENTAL HEALTH SUMMITT Registration is now open for the The DBSA Summit. It will take place virtually October 10 - 14th. This year’s summit is packed with informative, engaging sessions designed to equip our community with the education and tools needed to impact change at the individual, local, state, and national levels. Fun events planned: a movie screening, an Off-Broadway night, a virtual game session, a guided meditation, and a cooking class. Link to Register: 2022 DBSA Summit Info on this year’s summit: https://vepimg.b8cdn.com/uploads/vjfnew//content/files/1659088957dbsa-summit-22-schedule-v3c-pdf1659088957.pdf FROM DBSA NATIONAL A conversation with DBSA co-founder Rose Kurland A Spotify podcast interview with DBSA co-founder Rose Kurland, who takes us back to the fall of 1978, when six people gathered in her living room in Glencoe, Illinois. This small but enthusiastic group laid the foundation for the life-changing work that reaches across 35 years. Rose shares highlights from DBSA's earliest years in a conversation with communications director Betsey O'Brien, giving us a glimpse of the friends, colleagues, and medical partners who have fueled decades of hope and progress for people with mood disorders. You can learn more about DBSA's origins by checking out the timeline. https://www.dbsalliance.org/our-history/ Suicide Prevention- Two Personal Stories September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States. Click Here to read two personal stories and find information and resources to manage thoughts of suicide, create a crisis plan, and identify warning signs in others. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma, and Mental Health ACE’s are traumatic experiences during childhood (from birth to 18-years-old) which can have a lifelong effect on mental health. Examples include experiencing or witnessing abuse, neglect, or violence in early life. Learn more about impacts risk factors, and prevention. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/newsletters/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-trauma-and-mental-health/? DBSA Wellness Wheel - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Virtual Peer Support Legislation Advances in U.S House: Is Your Healthcare Team Treating Toward Wellness? DBSA Podcast Shares Inspiration and Compassion - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Free Will is dedicated to helping people who live with mood disorders ensure security for their loved ones. FACILITATOR TRAINING National DBSA will offer facilitator training in September. California is offering three relatively short programs over the summer. They cost $25.00 for out-of-staters, but include a $25.00 gift card for those who complete them and do the evaluation. SURVEY Older Adults Living with Depression AND Chronic Physical Health Conditions https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/depressionANDhealth ESTATE PLANNING Free Will is dedicated to helping people who live with mood disorders ensure security for their loved ones. https://www.freewill.com/dbsa? SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORT GROUP For those addressing substance abuse issues, CHOICES