Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update March 21, 2021 Hello and welcome to the new weekly email! We are very excited to show you all the work we’ve done to bring you a new experience online. Be sure to check out the new chapter website at www.dbsanca.org . DBSA NCA Peer Support Meetings This week the chapter will offer Zoom peer support groups: Sunday evening, Monday evening, Tuesday evening (women’s group), Wednesday at noon, Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, and Sunday evening. 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 . Southern PG County Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday, March 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Women’s Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Mid-Day Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time DC Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, March 28, 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 Mood Disorders and the Uses of Adversity Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D. Co-Director, Mood Disorders Center; The Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders; Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Tuesday, March 30, 2021 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST – via Zoom Depression and bipolar disorder are painful and often devastating. It is possible to learn from the pain and make some good from the adversity. Dr. Jamison will be discussing this from her decades of writing and speaking on the treatment of mood disorders. Kay Redfield Jamison , PhD, is a professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Jamison is the author of the national best sellers An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness , Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide , and Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament . She is author or co-author of more than 100 scientific papers about mood disorders, creativity, and psychopharmacology. As a founder of UCLA's Affective Disorder Clinic and a co-author of a standard medical text on bipolar disorder, Jamison is one of the foremost authorities on the subject. She is also one of its survivors. It is this dual perspective as both a psychiatric expert in bipolar disorder and a sufferer of the disease that makes Jamison's scientific autobiography, An Unquiet Mind, so profoundly affecting. Jamison, the recipient of numerous national and international scientific awards, was distinguished lecturer at Harvard University in 2002 and the Litchfield lecturer at the University of Oxford in 2003. She is a John P. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellow. Register in advance for this program: Register Here After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Note that this program will be recorded. DBSA Chapter Outreach Project The National Capital Area Chapter was the recent recipient of a generous donation to support the development of a community outreach campaign, with a particular focus on communities of color. The Board is very excited with the possibilities that this contribution presents to the growth of DBSA in the region and the opportunities it presents for members to participate in a variety of ways. A special planning committee has been established to develop a marketing campaign and create new support group meetings targeted to a variety of communities. DBSA Chapter members are invited to participate in this effort and are encouraged to reach out to Gregory Billings
[email protected] to learn more about how they can help out. News from National DBSA March 2021 eUpdate DBSA Needs Your Input on our Services - Survey A cornerstone of DBSA’s work is to elevate the peer voice for those living with mood disorders. That is why, during this time when mental health resources and outreach are more important than ever, we are asking you, as a member of our community, to provide feedback about our services and how we increase our reach and support in the year ahead. Whether you are a peer, family member, clinician, or friend, we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey . Your responses are anonymous. In recognition of your time, you will have the opportunity to win one of five $25 Amazon gift cards. Your candid feedback is appreciated. Thank you for your help as we continue to provide hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. Links 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 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 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) Bipolar Disorder & Pretending to Be Something I Am Not The Unstoppable Wasp: Fighting Bipolar & Bad Guys Harnessing the Power of My Symbolic Self 6 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Improve Bipolar Disorder Ask the Doctor: The Link Between Insomnia, Bipolar, & Emotions Why Your Dog Wants You to Live in the Moment How Decreasing Your Sweets May Sweeten Your Mood! Overcoming Helplessness & Actively Choosing Hope 3 Unexpected Signs of Bipolar Depression Your Brain on Exercise How to Talk to Myself (About Bipolar) Acceptance: A Difficult Journey for You AND Your Family Setting the Rules for Your “Bipolar Calendar” as the Seasons Change 3 Red Flags for Recognizing Cognitive & Mood Changes How to Talk to Myself (About Bipolar) Contributions to DBSA Donations to the National DBSA may be made through the website: Donate to DBSA National . The DBSA NCA homepage now 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 line, 240-780-8706. In Health, The DBSA NCA Web Team