Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
​National Capital Area Chapter

Weekly Update

June 6, 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. 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.

Southern PG County Peer Support Group Meeting
Time: Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time

Beltsville Peer Support Group Meeting
No meeting this week.

Women’s Peer Support Group Meeting
Time: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Mid-Day Peer Support Group Meeting
Time: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time

Montgomery County Peer Support Group Meeting
Time: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

DC Peer Support Group Meeting
Time: Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting
Time: Sunday, June 13, 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
No meeting this week.

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

A Note About Returning to Meetings In Person

With the recent developments with regard to lifting of various public health requirements for public group meetings the Board has begun to engage in discussions about when we will begin to return to in-person meetings for our various support groups. It has been agreed that it will be a combination of when our meeting hosts are able to welcome us back to their facilities and the comfort level expressed by meeting participants that will largely drive this decision process. Additionally, it is expected that we will continue to offer some meetings virtually through Zoom while others will meet solely in-person. The Board will be meeting on June 12th to develop a “restart” plan; your input on this is always appreciated. More details will be forthcoming as they are developed.

DBSA Speaker Series Event Announced

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

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: Gender Differences in Bipolar Disorder Across the Life Span Through an Intersectional Lens

NIMH - Thursday June 10, 1:00-2:30 PM EDT

NIMH » Gender Differences in Bipolar Disorder Across the Life Span Through an Intersectional Lens 

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

MHA: From Resilience to Recovery - June 10-12

Virtual registration is now free - tickets are limited

MHA's 2021 Annual Conference: From Resiliency to Recovery Registration, Thu, Jun 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM

Agenda: Mental Health America's Annual Conference 2021 - Agenda

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

New Links Added Weekly

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)

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