Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update June 20, 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 Friday. Be sure to check out the chapter website at www.dbsanca.org . DBSA NCA Peer Support Meetings This week the chapter will offer Zoom 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 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 . A note on the Thursday DC group: The meetings will be open with facilitators present for questions or informal discussion 15 minutes early, starting at 6:45 PM ET. This group will usually divide into two or more breakout groups. Consideration will be given to sometimes including one breakout on a specially chosen topic. Suggestions about this will be welcome. Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. LGBTQIA+ Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday, June 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Women’s Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Mid-Day Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person) Time: Thursday June 17, 2021 at 6:30 PM Eastern Time Location: Oxon Hill United Methodist Church - 6400 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 DC Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Sunday Evening Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time 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 Plan to Return To Meetings In Person and Survey The Board of Directors and Facilitators Team met this past weekend and have developed the following “ReStart” plan, based on such factors as the availability/rules of host meeting space and desires of group members. This will be rolled out over the coming months as the situation continues to evolve. We are also developing a survey to receive your input with regard to these concerns; please be on the look out for this later in the week. The Tuesday women’s group and the noon Wednesday groups will continue to meet virtually indefinitely. Sunday virtual meetings at 6:00 PM will also continue indefinitely. However, starting June 17, the Southern PG group will return to meeting in person on Thursday evenings (now at 6:30 PM) at the Oxon Hill United Methodist Church at 6400 Livingston Road. Please note: masks will be required for all participants, even if vaccinated (as recommended). The other groups will continue to meet virtually as they have been for now. Any plans for in-person meetings will depend upon not yet announced reopening policies of the host churches, as well as upon group participant preferences. Each of these groups will conduct discussions during upcoming meetings of member preferences regarding going back to in-person and/or continuing virtual meetings. To add the new In Person Calendar and all other calendars for DBSA NCA to your Google Calendar, click here . DBSA Chapter Outreach Project Update The task group working on the development of a community outreach campaign, with a particular focus on communities of color, has been continuing its work. They are endeavoring to develop a marketing campaign and create new support group meetings targeted to a variety of communities. DBSA NCA Chapter members are invited to participate in this effort and are encouraged to reach out to Gregory Billings
[email protected] if you would like to participate in this discussion. Calling All Telehealth Patients The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is in need of telehealth patients to fill out a short survey on their experiences and satisfaction receiving services within the last 12-months. This survey is part of the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center (BHWRC), a joint initiative of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Center works to strengthen the workforce responsible for prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders by conducting studies to inform workforce development and planning efforts. The findings of this study will inform policy recommendations for developing strategies and programs to enhance telebehavioral health services. Online Events Outside of DBSA MHA webinars June 22, 23, and 29 on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health, LGBTQ+ Mental Health, and Cultural Competency: https://mhanational.org/events/young-mental-health-leaders-series-lgbtq-youth-mental-health https://mhanational.org/events/lgbtq-mental-health-trauma-coming-out https://mhanational.org/events/samhsa-sponsored-webinar-increasing-cultural-competency-mental-health-care-settings Webinar: Loneliness and Your Health Kasley Kilam, who spoke to DBSA last year on the topic of social isolation and loneliness is chapter members to Connect+Health , the first in a new thought leadership series called Connect+Conversations that she is launching with the Foundation for Social Connection It’s on June 23rd at 2pm ET. We’ll hear from leading researchers about how connection and loneliness influence health and then have opportunities for small group discussion. Connect+Health will set the stage for subsequent events in the series, which will focus on how different sectors can address the loneliness epidemic and promote social well-being. Webinar: Getting on the Path to Wellness as a Family Families for Depression Awareness - Tuesday June 29, 7:00 PM EDT Families for Depression Awareness Zoom Registration University of Reading free online course: Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT - Online Course NIMH new online study (~2 hours): “Emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic” Clinical Trials Survey System | Home Would you like to keep your own personal journal? - New virtual monthly group offered by Montgomery County Public Library - Fourth Thursday of each month 6:30-7:30 PM ET Journaling with the Library - Virtual - Montgomery County Public Libraries News From National DBSA I'm Living Proof: Bipolar Does Not Define Me In episode 2 of our I'm Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self podcast series, we hear from Lauren, a DBSA Young Adult Council member. She describes her first experience with hypomania, the intensity of feelings it brought to her, and its impact on her relationships. She also discusses her experiences with establishing treatment and difficulties with insurance. Read Lauren’s letter here . June DBSA E-Update June 2021 eUpdate New Links Added Weekly National DBSA Covid-19 Resources National Institute of Mental Health Covid-19 Resources Managing Grief During a Pandemic (Facebook) Handling Bipolar Symptoms While Isolating National DBSA Wellness Wheel Brain and Behavior Research Foundation article on testing ‘laughing gas’ for severe depression (a topic addressed by Dr. Jacobsen last week): Positive Results in Trial Testing ‘Laughing Gas’ in Severely Depressed Treatment-Resistant Patients New Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act introduced in the Senate New Bill Announced Call from National Council to contact legislators on the bill: Write Your Legislators | Mental Health & Addiction Public Policy Brain and Behavior Research Foundation Postpartum CBT for Depressed Moms May Help Lower Emotion-Regulation Risks in Infants About the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter - including events, fundraising walks and hikes - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Largest Genome Study to Date of Cannabis Use Disorder Reveals New Genetic Underpinnings - Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Providing Care and Support for the LGBTQ Community Following a Suicide Death - American Fundation for Suicide Prevention 5 Ways You Can Promote Mental Health Every Day Meetup A blood test may help the diagnosis and treatment of depression - Economist Using Rapid-Acting Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation - BBRF Medicine to Treat Premenstrual Mood Disorder is Tested - BBRF Suicide Deaths Declined in 2020: Experts Cautiously Optimistic - ASFP The Rise of Big Data Psychiatry - Wall Street Journal Black and African
