In Person Meetings
Our chapter now has three different in-person peer support groups taking place.
Two on Thursday evenings, and operate in parallel with the 7:00 PM ET virtual Thursday group.
The Oxon Hill meeting at United Methodist Church at 6400 Livingston Road is temporarily suspended as of June 5, 2022.
The meeting at Foundry United Methodist Church at 1500 16th St NW has moved its start time to 7:15 PM ET. Parking is now largely restricted on 16th Street NW until 7:00 PM. A 7:15 start allows participants to park more easily. The group finishes by 8:45 PM, and the church closes at 9:00 PM.
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 United Methodist Church at 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville, MD.
The Montgomery County peer support group is still considering when it may return to in-person meetings.
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Annual Conference
Mental Health America’s 2022 Annual Conference Forward Together: Recovery, Healing, Hope, is taking place June 9-11 in Washington, DC, and online. One of the featured speakers is Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland's 8th Congressional District. Registration for the general public for the live-streamed version is free, but closes June 6.
2022 Conference Registration
A Survey From DBSA National
Older Adults Living with Depression AND Chronic Physical Health Conditions https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/depressionANDhealth
DBSA Statement on Gun Violence and Mental Health
https://www.dbsalliance.org/about/dbsa-statement-on-gun-violence-and-mental-health/
From DBSA California - 4 Ways Not to React To Someone With Depression or Crisis - Healthier Alternatives:
https://mailchi.mp/71ba0a4a39f4/4-ways-to-help-family-friends-with-mood-disorders?e=aab75b46fe
Upcoming Speaker Events
Surviving & Thriving: COVID, War, Stress & Despair
On Thursday, June 16 at 6:00 PM EDT Dr. Frederick Jacobsen, our Chapter’s Medical Advisor, will give his annual presentation on new developments in understanding and treatment options for mood disorders.
Pre-registration is required for this program.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsdOGurTMtE9VMNO2OB Pe0mtZkaUYt3O1i
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Note that this program will be recorded.
Dr. Jacobsen studied neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University before receiving dual MD & MPH degrees as a James Scholar at University of Illinois in Chicago. Following his Medical Internship & Residency in Psychiatry at Yale University, he came to the National Institute of Mental Health to research affective illness and sleep, and conducted the first studies on serotonin in light therapy and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The author of over 80 scientific publications, Dr. Jacobsen has pioneered treatments for depression, insomnia, memory loss, and migraine, and has a particular interest in Bipolar illness. As the founding Medical Director of the Transcultural Mental Health Institute, he is involved in patient advocacy and cross-cultural public health through lecturing, consulting, and participating in mental health delegations in over 30 countries.
Additionally, Dr. Jacobsen is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington Univ. School of Medicine and is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Sleep Medicine and Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry. A Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Jacobsen has received the Distinguished Psychiatrist Award from NAMI and the National Chapter Professional Advisor Award from DBSA. He supplements his professional work with an interest in photography and the arts.
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On Thursday, July 21, 2002, Dr. Keming Gao MD, PhD and Director of Mood Disorders Program at UH Cleveland Medical Center, will speak on "Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: What patients and families should know" Info on registering and connecting via Zoom coming soon.
Mark Your Calendars Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance Summit
The dates for the 2022 DBSA Summit have changed. In observance of the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the DBSA Summit will now take place virtually October 10-14.
Participate in mental health learning sessions, hear from peers and experts, and have fun -- all from the comfort of home!
Featured offerings:
- Peer Engagement
- Support Group and Chapter Leadership
- Basic and Advanced Facilitator Training
- Learn how DBSA is supporting children, teens, young adults, parents, and caregivers
Keep an eye on your inbox and social media for program details and registration links!
Weekly Trauma & Substance Abuse Online Support Group
CHOICES Trauma Informed 12 Step Peer Support Group, for those addressing substance abuse and trauma issues (Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM Eastern) meetings are on Zoom. It offers an alternative to traditional AA/NA 12 step programs.
https://choicesihar.org/peer-support-groups.html
Webinars
Helping Every Student in Need: a 5 Year Vision for School-Based Mental Health (Pre-recorded)
https://www.nasmhpd.org/content/ta-coalition-webinar-helping-every-student-need-5-year-vision-school-based-mental-health
Global Loneliness Awareness Week 2022 event - Conversations on Belonging, Connection, & Wellbeing - Wednesday June 15, 5:30 PM EDT
Conversations on Belonging, Connection, and Wellbeing
Conversations on Belonging, Connection, and Wellbeing
Research Study
University of Maryland study for teens with mood disorders
and their parents
The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is conducting a study to test whether mobile health technologies can be used to measure response to antidepressant treatment in adolescents.
To qualify for the study, teens ages 12-17 must have a mood disorder, be currently treated with antidepressants and have access to a smartphone or tablet. To participate email [email protected] or call 410-706-4369.
Teens will be asked to use a Fitbit (activity tracker) and a mobile app for four weeks. Parents will be asked to use a version of the app specific to them. At the conclusion of the study teens will keep the Fitbit, and parents may receive compensation up to $300. No treatments will be provided in this study.
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Links
Discovering Your Stress-Free Sanctuary
Help for the Highly Sensitive Person with Bipolar
Maintaining a “High-Functioning” Lifestyle with Bipolar Disorder
Tracing Bipolar through the Family Tree
Is It Love, or Is It Mania? Questions to Clarify | bpHope.com
Bipolar Therapy—From Both Sides of the Desk
General blog: bpHope Blog: Dedicated to Living Well with Bipolar Disorder
