Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update August 8, 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 Viewing safety as an overriding priority, the chapter has decided to temporarily suspend the resumed in-person group meetings while we evaluate the implications of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant. 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 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 . Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday, August 9 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time LGBTQIA+ Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week Women’s Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Tuesday August 10 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Mid-Day Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, August 11 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday August 11 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person) No meeting this week. Location: Oxon Hill United Methodist Church - 6400 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Thursday DC Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person) No meeting this week. Location: Foundry United Methodist Church, Room B2 - 1500 16th Street, NW, Washington DC 20036 Thursday Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (gather from 6:45) Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, August 15, 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 Call for Web Volunteers The Web Team is currently seeking administrative volunteers to help with putting out weekly newsletters and maintenance on the website. If you would like to help, please reach out to
[email protected] . Your assistance is most welcome and appreciated. Plan to Return To Meetings In Person The “Re-Start” Survey is now available here directly and on the DBSA NCA homepage . Please help us in understanding what kind of meetings are preferred going forward. This survey has been extended into September 2021. The Board of Directors and Facilitators Team met recently and have developed the following “Re-Start” 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, the Tuesday LGBTQIA+ group, and the noon Wednesday groups will continue to meet virtually indefinitely. Sunday virtual meetings at 6:00 PM will also continue indefinitely. 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). Starting July 14 the DC group will resume in-person meetings at 7;00 PM (gather from 6:30) at the Foundry United Methodist Church, 16th and P Streets, NW in room B2. Masks are required upon entering the building. But for now the Thursday evening virtual group will continue to meet separately at 7:00 PM (facilitators online from 6:45) via Zoom. 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. Online Events Outside of DBSA BBRF: Tuesday August 10 - 2:00 PM EDT - Meet the Scientist Webinar - Self-Control Gone Awry: The Cognitive Neuroscience Behind Bulimia Nervosa | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation AFSP: Thursday August 19 - 8:00-9:30 ET Living with Bipolar - Discussion and Film - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention AFSP: Sunday August 22 - 4:00-6:00 PM ET More Than Sad: Teen Depression (presented by AFSP-NCAC) - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention New studies on postpartum depression: NIMH: Healthy mothers 18-50 who experienced ppd are invited to participate in a 7-month study at NIH with appointments every two weeks. Call 3014969576 or see NIMH » Adults: Postpartum Depression BBRF: Report on a new study of a medicine for PPD - Positive Phase 3 Test of Rapid-Acting Oral Medicine for Postpartum Depression 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 News From National DBSA DBSA 2021 Virtual Leadership Summit: September 27 - October 1, 2021. This will be several hours over the period of time and does not entail a full day of participation. Register here: 2021 DBSA Leadership Summit Multiple tracks include facilitator training. Help make our NCA chapter well-represented. Scholarships are available if need be; please contact
[email protected] for more information. July 2021 eUpdate I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self - New Episode National DBSA Wellness Wheel Links NIH: 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. BBRF: Study Indicates Brain Lesions and Treatment Targets in Depression Affect the Same Circuitry, Suggesting New Treatment Possibilities - https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/study-indicates-brain-lesions-and-treatment-targets-depression-affect-same-ci https://livingwithbipolaraugust.attendease.com rcuitry CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report CDC report finds that in June 2020 that 25 percent of 18-25-year-olds surveyed had considered suicide in the past month. Here is the full report: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic About the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter - including events, fundraising walks and hikes - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Depression Disconnect - Resources Talk Saves Lives ™ An Introduction to Suicide Prevention in the LGBTQ Community Write Your Legislators | Mental Health & Addiction Public Policy « National Council College & Career Resource for Students with Disabilities Recent articles from BP Magazine (BP Hope) Bipolar Disorder & Why Self-Care Matters Coping with the Loss of a Highly Sensitive Canine Companion 8 Best Quotes from Kay Redfield Jamison about Bipolar Disorder When Caregivers Don't Know Where to Turn Learning to Ride Out Your Urges with Bipolar Read “Bipolar & Managing Procrastination” 5 Estate-Planning Tips to Protect a Loved One with Bipolar What Would You Like to Ask Your Loved One about Their Bipolar? How to Stop “Shoulding” on Yourself: My Advice to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others Stressed to the Max? Deep Sleep Can Rewire the Anxious Brain 7 Ways to Help a Friend with Bipolar Disorder 6 Empowering Principles to See Fewer Problems & More Possibilities Beyond CBT: See Which Psychotherapy Fits Your Bipolar 6 Strategies for Helping Loved Ones with Anxiety in Times of Crisis Contributions to DBSA Donations to the National DBSA
