Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update October 10, 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. A special board meeting will consider the matter next weekend. 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, October 10, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday October 11 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 October 12 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Mid-Day Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, October 13 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday October 13 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person) No meeting this week. Thursday DC Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person) Time: No meeting this week. Thursday Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (gather from 6:45) Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, October 17, 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 Time: Wednesday October 6 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 In Memoriam We are pained to report the recent death, in tragic circumstances, of George McElfatrick. He served on the board of our chapter, and was a leader of On Our Own of Maryland, organizing and facilitating support groups, including our chapter group meeting in Montgomery County. Obituary and memories: George Joseph McElfatrick Obituary - Babylon, NY Earlier news story: Two men hospitalized after both fall during altercation on balcony in Clarksburg Call for Web Volunteers & Feedback 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 or provide feedback on these newsletters and the website , please reach out to
[email protected] . Your assistance is most welcome and appreciated. News From National DBSA Facilitator Training - 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] September 2021 eUpdate - Supporting Our Community 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 National DBSA Wellness Wheel DBSA Wellness Toolbox Mental Health Screening Center 8 Tips on Setting Boundaries for Your Mental Health - DBSA Ten Grounding Strategies To Help You Redirect Your Thoughts Suicide Prevention Information Online Events Outside of DBSA Early-Life Risk for Pathological Anxiety - Tuesday October 12 at 2:00 PM EDT - BBRF Early-Life Risk for Pathological Anxiety | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Starry Night 2021 - Sunday October 24, streams 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (one hour program) - IBPF https://ibpf.org/STARRYNIGHT/ Mind Your Mind Mondays - Mondays at 6:30-7:30 PM ET - 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. - MHAMD Mind Your Mind Mondays | MHAMD 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 In Honor of National Recovery Month 2021, again featuring Lizabeth Schuch, our chapter Vice President: Arlington County Behavioral Healthcare Divisions presents: “Recovery is for Everyone” testimonials, on YouTube Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT - Online Course University of Reading free online course FreeWill for Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - FreeWill lets you create a last will and testament. Severe Depression and Covid-19: Communities in Need Across the U.S. (pdf) - MHA New Legislation to Address Alarming Suicide Rates Among Children and Young Adults - Rep. Underwood August Town Hall Series Thank You on YouTube What to Know When You're Newly Diagnosed With Depression - article from WEBMD From BBRF: Study Sheds Light on Prevalence of 'Long-COVID,' Including Cognitive and Psychiatric Symptoms Positive Phase 3 Test of Rapid-Acting Oral Medicine for Postpartum Depression Healthy Minds TV | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Study Identified Potential Predictors of Suicide Attempts in 30 Days Following Suicidal Thinking In Study, Phone-Based Mindfulness App Helped Young Teens Ruminate Less Depression’s Genetic Links Probed in 1 Million People in a Single Study for the First Time Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Brain-Structure Changes in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, 2 Studies Show Study Indicates Brain Lesions and Treatment Targets in Depression Affect the Same Circuitry, Suggesting New Treatment Possibilities Recent articles from BP Magazine (BP Hope) Explaining Bipolar to Our Friends and Family “This Is the Moment”—Elite Athletes Making Headlines about Mental Health When Your Loved One with Bipolar Depression Can't Get Out of Bed Bipolar & The Power Of Medicinal Music Family & Friends of Those with Bipolar: Help for Helpers Bipolar Disorder & Untangling “Twisted Thoughts” The 8 Most Common Exercise Myths Son of Robin Williams Helps Others Heal (Hope to Cope) Two Brothers with Bipolar—Two Paths to Recovery Looking back, moving forward Easing Bipolar Depression Through Drawing The Most Problematic Issue with Bipolar Disorder: Normalcy The Best Books to Understand What Bipolar Is REALLY Like Bipolar Disorder & the Power of Pets How I Shake the Feeling of Failure Contributions to DBSA Donations to the National DBSA may be made through the website: Donate to DBSA National . 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
