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 Childhood Onset of Bipolar Disorders: An Excess in the US and What To Do About It - International BiPolar Foundation Liam Gildea’s High Life Low Life - International BiPolar Foundation OCD: Using Genome Data to Predict Risk, Symptoms and Treatment Response | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation - Brain and Behavior Research Foundation From Thanksgiving to New Year’s: Protecting Your Mental Health During the Holidays - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Why is the CDC missing in action on severe mental illnesses? - STAT News Mayors' top concern: mental health - AXIOS Heads Up Guys - Online resource helping men fight depression Recent articles from BP Magazine (BP Hope) Do The Holidays Feel Like a “Test” of Your Bipolar Stability? All I Wanted for Christmas Too Many Holiday Expectations? Mania & Financial Stress During the Holidays How I Recognized & Recovered from Gaslighting A Soothing “Staycation” to Usher in the New Year 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