Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update May 9, 2021 Hello and welcome to the new weekly email! We are very excited to show you all the work we’ve done to bring you a new experience online. 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 new chapter website at www.dbsanca.org . DBSA NCA Peer Support Meetings This week the chapter will offer Zoom peer support groups: Sunday evening, Wednesday at noon, Thursday evening, and Sunday evening. 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. 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 . Southern PG County Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday, May 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Women’s Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Mid-Day Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time DC Peer Support Group Meeting*** Time: Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Invite link for all 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 ***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. 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 Latest DBSA Speaker Series Now Available on the Updates Page https://www.dbsanca.org/updates.html now includes Roy Richard Grinker in conversation with Phyllis Foxworth about his book “Nobody’s Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness” New DBSA Speaker Series Event Announced Annual Talk by our chapter Medical Advisor, Frederick Jacobsen, MD, MPH COVID Sense & Sensibilities: The Tsunami of Depression/Anxiety, Sleep & Public Stress Meet Research Advances & the Goal of Health Maintenance Thursday June 17 at 6:00 PM EDT Please note and save the date and start time. Advance registration for this event will be required. A group will be held later that evening after it concludes. More information will be forthcoming. DBSA Chapter Outreach Project – Planning Committee Meeting Scheduled As recently announced, The National Capital Area Chapter was the recipient of a generous donation to support the development of a community outreach campaign, with a particular focus on communities of color. The Board is very excited with the possibilities that this contribution presents to the growth of DBSA in the region and opportunities for members to participate in a variety of ways. A special planning committee has been established to develop a marketing campaign and create new support group meetings targeted to a variety of communities. The next meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th at 7:00 pm. 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. Learn How Capital Clubhouse Helps People Living With Mood Disorders Members of the DC Capital Clubhouse will join us for a special information program on Thursday, May 20th from 6:30 - 7:00 pm, prior to the regular meeting to share more about this unique community resource and ways that DBSA members can be involved. The chapter has been supportive of this effort since it was founded in 2013, with Eric Scharf serving on their Board of Directors representing DBSA. The Capital Clubhouse is an inclusive community promoting health and wellness for people with mental illness through warm community, dignity and respect. Using a structured work-ordered day, they provide meaningful opportunities for people to grow and thrive. Join us at the regular Thursday night meeting link to learn more about how this resource can benefit you or others who live with mental health issues. Online Events Outside of DBSA Join Dr. Sunyatta Amen and NAMI DC President and Volunteer Interim Director Jean Harris for an online conversation about resilience and recovery. Enjoy some music and poetry as well. Sponsored by NAMI DC; Tuesday, May 11 at 6:00 pm on Zoom. Registration link https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZiqRIU2NReawnDkDAS-Ncg NIMH new online study (~2 hours): “Emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic” https://covidcoping.ctss.nih.gov/ BBRF Meet the Scientist Webinar - Using Rapid-Acting Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression - Tuesday May 11 - 2:00 PM ET https://www.bbrfoundation.org/event/using-rapid-acting-brain-stimulation-treatment-resistant-depression Would you like to keep your own personal journal? - New virtual monthly group offered by Montgomery County Public Library - Fourth Thursday of each month starting Thursday May 27 - 6:30-7:30 PM ET https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/5018689 May is National Mental Health Awareness Month A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2021 News from National DBSA New Series: “I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self” debuts May 1. This program is organized by the DBSA Young Adults Council of which one of very own members is a leader and will be featured in an upcoming episode. I'm Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self I'm Living Proof Submissions and Guidelines April 2021 eUpdate April 2021 eUpdate New National DBSA Position Statements DBSA Outreach to the Black Community DBSA statement regarding the relationship between law enforcement and the mental health community 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 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 American Mental Health Resources - EveryMind Largest Genome Study to Date of Anxiety Reveals New Risk Variants and Suggests Possible Biological Mechanisms New report from BBRF and JAMA: A Close Look at How COVID-19 Infection Can Damage the Brain ASFP: Will Suicide Rates Go Up Because of the Pandemic? ‘Nobody Has Openings’ - Recent New York Times article: Mental Health Providers Struggle to Meet Pandemic Demand Article on Accelerated rTMS - Brain & Behavior Research Foundation: In Major Depression, Accelerated rTMS Brain Stimulation Shows Promise Study Links PTSD Stress To Cortical Thinning and Shorter Expected Lifespan From Healthy Place: How to Forgive for Your Emotional Health New York Times Article on TMS and Deep-Brain Stimulation: A Better Way to Zap Our Brains Videos Major Depressive Disorder: https://www.neurocarelive.com/app/mdd-2020 Insomnia: https://www.medlive.com/app/insomnia/ Recent articles from BP Magazine (BP Hope) Bipolar: Tips to Help You Stop Misreading Situations Context or Chemistry? Separating Emotions from Mood Swings On Faith and Bipolar Recovery Bipolar Disorder Sleep Solutions Ask Me Anything about Bipolar 6 Essential Strategies to Break the Cycle of Negative Thinking Kelley Thorpe Baker: Building Wellness & Success Using Acceptance 6 Essential Strategies to Break the Cycle of Negative Thinking Do People with Bipolar Disorder Recover? 9 Famous Faces of Creativity and Bipolar Disorder Bipolar & Obsessive Thoughts and Behaviors 20 Ways to Support a Loved One with Bipolar Today How Cleaner Eating Can Help Your Mood Panic Attacks: Managing the Anxiety of Bipolar Contributions to DBSA Donations to the National DBSA may be made through the website: Donate to DBSA National . 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