Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update June 13, 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 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 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 . 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. Sunday Evening (formerly Southern PG) Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday, June 14, 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 Time: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 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) Time: Thursday June 17, 2021 at 6:30 PM Eastern Time Location: Oxon Hill United Methodist Church - 6400 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 DC Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time OR LATER (perhaps 7:15, due to the preceding speaker program with Dr. Jacobsen) Sunday Evening (formerly Southern PG) Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, June 20, 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 DBSA NCA Family and Friends Meeting Family & Friends Meeting Time: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 7:30 PM Eastern Time 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 Plan to Return To Meetings In Person and Survey The Board of Directors and Facilitators Team met this past weekend and have developed the following “ReStart” 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 and the noon Wednesday groups will continue to meet virtually indefinitely. Sunday virtual meetings at 6:00 PM will also continue indefinitely. However, starting this week, 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). 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. A new In Person Google Calendar has been added to the website. To add the new In Person Calendar and all other calendars for DBSA NCA to your Google Calendar, click here . THIS WEEK: DBSA Speaker Series Event COVID Sense & Sensibilities: The Tsunami of Depression/Anxiety, Sleep & Public Stress Meet Research Advances & the Goal of Health Maintenance Presented by Chapter Medical Advisor, Frederick Jacobsen, MD, MPH Thursday June 17 at 6:00 PM EDT DBSA NCA’s Medical Advisor will present his annual review of the latest research on mood disorder research with a particular focus on the impact of COVID. His talk is always highly informative and packed with new information focused on achieving wellness through a range of treatment options. Register in advance for this program. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Note that this program will be recorded. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlf-yspzgoGNVq2h5cFBCtMyfTG104SCMF 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. The next meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 15 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. Online Events Outside of DBSA Webinar: Getting on the Path to Wellness as a Family Families for Depression Awareness - Tuesday June 29, 7:00 PM EDT Families for Depression Awareness Zoom Registration 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 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 Journaling with the Library - Virtual - Montgomery County Public Libraries News From National DBSA Podcasts from National DBSA https://www.dbsalliance.org/podcasts/ May DBSA E-Update https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/newsletters/may-2021-eupdate/ 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 Brain and Behavior Research Foundation Postpartum CBT for Depressed Moms May Help Lower Emotion-Regulation Risks in Infants About the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter - including events, fundraising walks and hikes - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Largest Genome Study to Date of Cannabis Use Disorder Reveals New Genetic Underpinnings - Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Providing Care and Support for the LGBTQ Community Following a Suicide Death - American Fundation for Suicide Prevention 5 Ways You Can Promote Mental Health Every Day Meetup 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 Depression Disconnect - Resources 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) 7 Signs That Bipolar Depression Is Brewing Patrick Kennedy Talks: Biggest Mood Challenges & More Read “Social Media & Bipolar: The Good, Bad, and Ugly” How Do You Know If You Have Compassion Fatigue? 3 Secret Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Celebrities Who Embrace Their Bipolar Disorder Helping Loved Ones with “Life Admin” Can Alleviate Stress & Triggers Katherine Switz: Managing Bipolar, Business & Motherhood 9 Ways to Support Someone with Bipolar Disorder VIDEO: Bipolar & Sugar—How We Unintentionally Sabotage Our Stability How Much Should You Disclose? How to Care for Your Friend with Bipolar Regrets from Mania & Bipolar Depression Working Together to Overcome Setbacks in Life Contributions
