Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update April 24, 2022 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 We have resumed in-person meetings. See our Support Groups & Events calendar for more information. This week the chapter will offer Zoom peer support groups as shown on our Support Groups & Events page. 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 Zoom connection links for groups have changed. To join peer groups, you may use the same link to access any Zoom 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] . 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 Google Calendar Link https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_jf01i5oim3ibbt9g36ku0ujjf4%40group.calendar.google.com &ctz=America%2FNew_York DBSA NCA Family and Friends Meeting 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 Google Calendar Link https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_2aih6ldtp0cojm4h58glb3h3ho%40group.calendar.google.com &ctz=America%2FNew_York News, Events, and Resources In Person Meetings Our chapter now has three different in-person peer support groups taking place. Two are on Thursday evenings, and operate in parallel with the 7:00 PM ET virtual Thursday group. The Oxon Hill UMC at 6400 Livingston Road is also at 7:00 ET. The meeting at Foundry UMC at 1500 16th St NW has moved its start time to 7:15 PM ET as of April 21, 2022. Parking is now largely restricted on 16th Street NW until 7:00 PM. A 7:15 start will allow participants to park more easily. The group finishes by 8:45 PM, and the church closes at 9:00 PM. Monday, April 25, 2022, is the first in person meeting of the Beltsville group. The Beltsville group has moved to a hybrid meeting structure. It will continue to meet virtually at 7:00 PM ET on the second Monday of each month. The fourth Monday of the month, also at 7:00 PM ET, will be an in-person meeting at the Emmanuel UMC at 11416 Cedar Ln, Beltsville, MD. The Montgomery County peer support group is still considering when it may return to in-person meetings. — Events From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an upcoming virtual event: Sunday, April 24, 4:00 - 5:00 PM ET, "Talk Saves Lives" https://ncactsl04242022.attendease.com/ And also from ASFP, an event for DC residents: Our friends at the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are having a DC Capitol Day on Monday May 2nd from 6-8pm, and have invited participation from DBSA as well. That evening will feature a virtual launch event to talk about our current advocacy priorities in the District and some basic tips about advocating for suicide prevention. Over the next two weeks, participants will have the option to meet with their DC Council members and to discuss priorities. More info and registration is here: https://dcadvocacy05022022.attendease.com/ . When you sign up, please indicate whether you would like to participate in meetings and have contact information sent to your Council member. Please contact Deb Steinberg at
[email protected] if you have any questions. We would love to see you there! — From DBSA National Survey on Older Adults Living with Depression AND Chronic Physical Health Conditions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/depressionANDhealth — Articles Bipolar Depression: When You Are Too Tired to Shower - BP Hope Best Podcasts on Mental Health & Bipolar Disorder - BP Hope Don’t Trust Everything You Think- 10 Myths I Believed about Bipolar Disorder - BP Hope Bipolar & the Fear of Wearing Out Friendship - BP Hope Bipolar Depression is Good for the Environment. Who Knew? - BP Hope Getting a Grip on Uncontrollable Anger - BP Hope When Do I Tell a New Love about My Bipolar? - BP Hope Granting Ourselves Mercy - BP Hope How to Recognize the Distorted Lens of Bipolar & Reclaim Reality - BP Hope Are We Serving Your Needs? We aim as volunteers to provide you with relevant and easily accessible content. Please let us know if we are successful, and especially if you think there are any changes to our newsletter or website that could better serve you by emailing
[email protected] . 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