Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update September 12, 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, September 12, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday September 13, 2021 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 September 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Mid-Day Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, September 15 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. 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) Time: 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, September 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (gather from 6:45) Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, September 19, 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 - cancelled. 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. "Re-Start" Survey 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. 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. After a recent meeting with the Director of Community and Family Affairs at the DC Department of Behavioral Health the task group is moving forward on two fronts. First is to conduct a community needs assessment process with local community leaders and second is to explore the development of a cultural awareness/sensitivity program for chapter leaders that could be a prototype for other DBSA Chapters throughout the country. The task group is also planning a meeting with the DBSA National Office staff to explore ways that we can work cooperatively with their national initiatives in mental health equity. 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. News From National DBSA The 2021 DBSA Leadership Summit has expanded into a weeklong event with more than 40 sessions for everyone, including people living with mood disorders, their families and caregivers, mental health advocates, clinicians, and DBSA chapter leaders and members. The summit will take place virtually Sept. 27 through Oct. 1. Registered attendees will get: - Practical tools for improving their mental health - An opportunity to choose from a wealth of sessions covering wellness, advocacy, and leadership, including sessions such as “Know Your Rights: Addressing Mental Health Discrimination in the Workplace and at Home,” and “Mental Health Equity: Access and Outcome Disparities in Black Communities.” A support group facilitator training track is also offered. - Tactics for supporting people living with mood disorders - Access to fun activities, such as a cooking class, meditation circle, and comedy showcase - The opportunity to meet and network with other mental health advocates Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker, Emmy-award winning actor Maurice Benard of ABC’s General Hospital, who will be participating in an interview about his experiences living with bipolar disorder. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-VrcK7qlJ8 . Learn more and register here: 2021 DBSA Leadership Summit DBSA NCA would like to see wide participation from the Chapter. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the nominal registration fee. Facilitator Training - In addition to the facilitator training track at the National Summit, National DBSA will be offering virtual training in October, with three required sessions Monday October 18 6:00-9:00 PM EDT, Wednesday October 20 6:00-9:00 PM EDT, and Saturday October 23 5:00-7:00 EDT. If interested, please inform one of our chapter facilitators and/or contact Jill Burgos at
[email protected] August 2021 eUpdate DBSA recently released its 2020 Annual Report - learn all about the incredible work of DBSA over the past year. I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self - New Episode Mood Crew Monthly: Address Anxiety With Worried Worried’s new resources can help guide children to better understand anxiety and build skills to manage their worries in the future. Worried’s new resources ask children to recognize what is worrying them, reason with these worries, and find a way to rewrite them so worries feel less intense. Address Anxiety With Worried National DBSA Wellness Wheel 8 Tips on Setting Boundaries for Your Mental Health - DBSA Ten Grounding Strategies To Help You Redirect Your Thought Online Events Outside of DBSA MHAMD: Mind Your Mind Mondays - 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. Mind Your Mind Mondays | MHAMD 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 Links National Recovery Month - A Proclamation on National Recovery Month, 2021 whitehouse.gov SAMHSA: National Recovery Month 2021 Here is are links for Arlington County’s virtual recovery program featuring Lizabeth, our chapter Vice President - Arlington County Virginia – Government - Arlington Celebrates National Recovery Month 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfCBsysnU6U BBRF: “In Study, Phone-Based Mindfulness App Helped Young Teens Ruminate Less” - https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/study-phone-based-mindfulness-app-helped-young-teens-ruminate-less WEBMD: New Feature Article - What to Know When You're Newly Diagnosed With Depression MHA: Severe Depression and Covid-19: Communities in Need Across the U.S. (pdf) BBRF: Depression’s Genetic Links Probed in 1 Million People in a Single Study for the First Time New Legislation to Address Alarming Suicide Rates Among Children and Young Adults - Video highlights importance of topic - Rep. Underwood August Town Hall Series Thank You FreeWill: FreeWill for Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - FreeWill lets you create a last will and testament. 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: Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Brain-Structure Changes in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, 2 Studies Show BBRF: Study Indicates
