Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update August 7, 2022 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 Fridays. Be sure to check out the chapter website at www.dbsanca.org . DBSA NCA Peer Support Meetings We have resumed in-person meetings. See our Support Groups & Events calendar for more information. This week the chapter will offer Zoom peer support groups as shown on our Support Groups & Events page. 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 Zoom connection links for groups have changed. To join peer groups, you may use the same link to access any Zoom 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 protected] . 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 Google Calendar Link https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_jf01i5oim3ibbt9g36ku0ujjf4%40group.calendar.google.com &ctz=America%2FNew_York DBSA NCA Family and Friends Meeting 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 Google Calendar Link https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_2aih6ldtp0cojm4h58glb3h3ho%40group.calendar.google.com &ctz=America%2FNew_York News, Events, and Resources 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 UMC at 6400 Livingston Road will resume Thursday, August 4th at 7:00 PM. 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. — Suicide Prevention Phone Numbers D.C. Joins Nationwide Launch Of New 988 Number For Suicide Prevention A Quick Tip on How to Soothe Anxious Feelings Mental Illness in the Media HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver recently aired a piece on how the U.S. fails to effectively provide treatment for mental illness. The statistics are quite revealing and well presented. Note: John Oliver is a comedian and some language may be offensive. Mental Health Care: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) DBSA National Statement on Gun Violence The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance acknowledges the heaviness many people around the country are feeling in the wake of the recent mass shootings. Please click the link for DBSA’s official statement on gun violence and mental health. https://www.dbsalliance.org/about/dbsa-statement-on-gun-violence-and-mental-health National DBSA Annual Report 2021 https://annualreport2021.dbsalliance.org/ Gain a closer look at the impact our chapter’s support has had on those living with depression and bipolar disorder. Through education, support, and action, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, along with our community of mental health advocates, is lighting the way for wellness for more people than ever before. MEDICARE HELP The Medicare patient resource center is on a mission to help people with disabilities get the most out of the Medicare program (note: they do not sell or provide healthcare plans). They have published a comprehensive guide to understanding eligibility, coverage, and, most importantly, how to navigate the enrollment process. https://www.medicareplans.com/medicare-coverage-for-people-with-disabilities/ THE NIMH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Sign up for the latest mental health news, research advances, upcoming events, publications, clinical trials, meeting summaries, and more. In addition to the email newsletter and RSS updates , please also visit NIMH on Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube , where they highlight Science Updates, Press Releases, and other timely matters. https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIMH/subscriber/new FURTHER READING ON BIPOLAR Results of a One-Day Online CBT-Based Workshop Helped New Moms With Postpartum Depression Psych Congress: Bipolar Disorder Across the Spectrum: Novel Screening Tools and Treatment Options | HMP Education MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT Registration is now open for the The DBSA Summit. It will take place virtually October 10 - 14th. This year’s summit is packed with informative, engaging sessions designed to equip our community with the education and tools needed to impact change at the individual, local, state, and national levels. We also have fun events planned: a movie screening, an Off-Broadway night, a virtual game session, a guided meditation, and a cooking class. Link to Register: 2022 DBSA Summit Info for this year’s summit: https://vepimg.b8cdn.com/uploads/vjfnew//content/files/1659088957dbsa-summit-22-schedule-v3c-pdf1659088957.pdf DBSA NATIONAL SURVEY Older Adults Living with Depression AND Chronic Physical Health Conditions https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/depressionANDhealth FROM DBSA NATIONAL National DBSA will offer facilitator training in September. California is offering three relatively short programs over the summer. They cost $25.00 for out-of-staters, but include a $25.00 gift card for those who complete them and do the evaluation. DBSA Wellness Wheel - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance LGBTQ+ Communities and Mental Health: Experiences of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Can Impact Overall Mental Health . Virtual Peer Support Legislation Advances in U.S House: Is Your Healthcare Team Treating Toward Wellness? DBSA Podcast Shares Inspiration and Compassion - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance SUBSTANCE ABUSE GROUP For those addressing substance abuse issues, CHOICES Trauma Informed 12 Step Peer Support Group (Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM Eastern) offers an alternative to traditional AA/NA 12 step programs. https://choicesihar.org/peer-support-groups.html WEBINARS From DBSA Charlotte, NC: Dr. Tracey Marks answers your questions with a live Q&A, Sunday, August 14 at 5:00 PM EDT. Dr. Marks produces educational videos on her You Tube channel, Dr. Tracey Marks (over one million subscribers) https://shoutout.wix.com/so/35O9Okqnz#/main Mental Health and Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Andy Dunn, Tuesday, August 9 at 1:00 PM EDT. Dunn has released a memoir entitled “Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind,” which explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and mental illness. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bgWX_vqTTmSHIO54XQwgIA 2022 Fall Forum- Psychedelic Therapy: Problems and Promises. October 27, 2022, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST https://adaa.org/calendar/2022-fall-forum-psychedelic-therapy-problems-and-promises Manipulating Memories to Help Treat Brain Illness - Tuesday, August 9 at 2:00 EDT Manipulating Memories to Help Treat Brain Illness | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation For Young People on Snapchat: How to Support a Friend Who is Considering Suicide https://story.snapchat.com/p/f0dcef23-4f2b-45f3-8dba-f7e491a4b8c0/2876550675025920 Video: New Developments in a Blood Test for Bipolar Development of a Combined Digital and Biomarker Test for Bipolar Disorder Video and Text: “Four Ways Not to React To Someone With Depression or Crisis & Healthier Alternatives” from DBSA California. https://mailchi.mp/71ba0a4a39f4/4-ways-to-help-family-friends-with-mood-disorders READING LINKS 5 Strategies for When Bipolar Depression Returns | bpHope.com Acceptance: The First Step Out of Bipolar Depression | bpHope.com An AM Radio Host Talks about Sleep & Maintaining Mood | bpHope.com August is Self Awareness Month Bipolar Disorder & 5 Surprising Things We Can Do to Improve Our Lives Explaining Bipolar to Our Friends & Family With Bipolar, Some Tokens of Advice Have Two Sides Gen Z's Approach to Mental Health is Authentic, Raw, and Sometimes Dark - DBSA Managing Impulsivity Requires Putting Precautions in Place Researchers Identify Molecule That Orchestrates Association of Events With Positive and Negative Memories Researchers Identify a Neural Signature Centrally Important in Restructuring Negative Self-Beliefs Strategies to Stave Off Shame | bpHope.com TikTok and Youth Mental Health: Weighing the Pros and Cons - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Well-Meaning Comments about Bipolar & Their Unintended Consequences | bpHope.com When You Feel “Stuck” with the Label of “Bipolar” after Diagnosis Are We Serving Your Needs? 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