Depression and Bipolar ​Support Alliance
​National Capital Area Chapter

Weekly Update

December 19, 2021

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

Thursday evening groups (DC and Oxon Hill) have resumed in-person meetings. Other groups are delaying decisions for now. 

In person meetings (intended for the vaccinated) will follow all procedures and guidelines recommended or required by national health agencies, the relevant local government, and the host institutions.

This week the chapter will offer Zoom and in-person peer support groups as shown below. 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 group locations indicated below for virtual groups denote where these groups have met previously, and will probably return; however some groups will remain virtual indefinitely. Peers may opt to participate in any of the peer groups. The Zoom connection links for groups have changed for 2021. To join peer groups you use the same link to access any 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].

Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time

Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
No meeting this week

LGBTQIA+ Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Women’s Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
No meeting this week

Mid-Day Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time

Montgomery County Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person)
This meeting is on a brief hiatus for the rest of 2021–it will resume in January 2022.

Thursday DC Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person)
This meeting is on a brief hiatus for the rest of 2021–it will resume in January 2022.

Thursday Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting
Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time

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​

DBSA NCA Family and Friends Meeting

Family & Friends Meeting
No meeting this week

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

PoetSpeak

DBSANCA is sponsoring another of its POETSPEAK Poetry and Arts Evenings on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 7:00 pm ET. Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a poem, a song, a musical performance, a piece of art, a short story, inspirational words, or anything they would like to share. These programs are meant to bring us closer together to socialize and share our gifts. After a time of COVID, we ARE READY to hear from each other.

Hosted by DBSANCA facilitator and poet, Billye Okera.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86452116445?pwd=VTJCb1V0RXk0RFhHMkZoVDBwL2diZz09

One tap mobile +13017158592,,86452116445#,,,,*157051# US (Washington DC)

Dial  +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 864 5211 6445 Passcode: 157051

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kMraJYOjN

DC Advocacy Chair Provides a Peer Voice at National Conference

The Chapter is pleased to announce that Eric Scharf, who serves as the DC Advocacy Chair, has been reappointed to a three year term on the Medical Care Advisory Committee. The committee has oversight of the District’s Medicaid program and related public health insurance programs. He will also continue in his role as Chair of the Eligibility and Enrollment Subcommittee.  

Eric serves as a voice for those who live with mood disorders, by ensuring that DC provides a comprehensive range of physical and mental health services. These services are intended for those residents who are enrolled in the public health care system. More than 40% of individuals in the Medicaid program have mental health needs, making it the largest payor of behavioral health services for the residents of the city. 

We are excited that Eric is able to provide a peer perspective to city decision makers. He encourages individuals who have utilized these programs to contact him about any concerns or issues they may have with DC mental health services at [email protected].

DBSA January Facilitator Training

Want to serve as a moderator for our support groups? You must first complete facilitator training to participate. Interested parties should mark their calendars for the next Support Group Facilitator Training session. Sessions will be held on January 21, 2022, and January 28, 2022, at the following time:

3 PM – 7 PM Eastern time
2 PM – 6 PM Central time
1 PM – 5 PM Mountain time
12 PM – 4 PM Pacific time

Please note that participants must attend both sessions in order to receive credit for participation. To register, interested peers should e-mail [email protected] with their full name, chapter name (National Capital Area), and e-mail address.

News From National DBSA

A group hangout will be held on the afternoon of Christmas Day. National DBSA has informed us that all are invited to the Christmas Hangout of the Greater Hartford Chapter, available December 25 from 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST. This event is particularly geared for those who are bored, alone, or down at that time. More more details, see calendar at DBSA Greater Hartford

DBSA recently released its 2020 Annual Report - learn all about the incredible work of DBSA over the past year

DBSA News A monthly, informative newsletter released by the national organization

I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self Collection of podcasts and blog posts that document the lives of young adults who have a mood disorder

National DBSA Wellness Wheel Easy-to-use tool that measures progress by utilizing seven distinct areas of focus  

DBSA Wellness Toolbox Tools to help you communicate better with your doctor, keep track of your symptoms and moods, and record the progress you’re making

Mental Health Screening Center Basic set of diagnostic criteria for mood disorders. Not intended to take the place of a licensed professional

8 Tips on Setting Boundaries for Your Mental Health - DBSA Guidelines for keeping yourself strong and safe

Ten Grounding Strategies To Help You Redirect Your Thoughts Relaxation techniques that can be used to produce calm and reduce stress

Suicide Prevention Information Information and guidance for those who struggle with suicidal ideations. Included as well is a list of warning signs

Events Outside of DBSA

Mind Your Mind Mondays: MHAMD - Mondays at 6:30 PM- 7:30 PM https://www.mhamd.org/news/event/mind-your-mind-mondays-3/ 

The Mental Health Association of Maryland’s Vibrant Aging: Peers Program is a weekly opportunity for older Marylanders to learn about brain health and engage with others around mental wellness, with a different topic every week. https://www.mhamd.org/what-we-do/outreach-and-education/vibrant-minds/events/

Events page for MHAMD:

https://www.mhamd.org/events/

Studies & Opportunities

Healthy mothers aged 18-50 who experienced PPD are invited to participate in a 7-month study at NIH with appointments every two weeks. Call 301-496-9576 NIMH » Adults: Postpartum Depression

Emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - Clinical Trials Survey System | Home NIMH online study (approximately 2 hours)

Depression: Repeated Doses of Ketamine, and Neuroimaging - NIMH Call 1-877-MIND-NIH to find out if you qualify.

ClinicalTrials.gov is a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world. You can search for studies involving a specific disease or condition, such as “bipolar disorder,” and for ones recruiting or soon to be recruiting participants.

Further Resources

Recent articles from BP Magazine (BP Hope)

Contributions to DBSA

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

The DBSA NCA homepage has a donation link which may be used for online contributions via PayPal or major credit card. Others may prefer to mail a check, payable to DBSA NCA, to our chapter's address​ on the website. Our chapter is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

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

In Health,

The DBSA NCA Web Team