Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update May 16, 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: Sunday evening, Wednesday at noon, 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, May 16, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. Women’s Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. Mid-Day Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. DC Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, May 23, 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 Time: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 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 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 in June to develop a “restart” plan; your input on this is always appreciated. More details will be forthcoming as they are developed. Latest DBSA Speaker Series Now Available on the Past Events Page www.dbsanca.org/pastevents.html now includes Roy Richard Grinker in conversation with Phyllis Foxworth about his book “Nobody’s Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness” 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 – Planning Committee Meeting Scheduled As recently announced, The National Capital Area Chapter was the 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 opportunities 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. The next meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th 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. Learn How Capital Clubhouse Helps People Living With Mood Disorders Members of the DC Capital Clubhouse will join us for a special information program on Thursday, May 20th from 6:30 - 7:00 pm, prior to the regular meeting to share more about this unique community resource and ways that DBSA members can be involved. The chapter has been supportive of this effort since it was founded in 2013, with Eric Scharf serving on their Board of Directors representing DBSA. The Capital Clubhouse is an inclusive community promoting health and wellness for people with mental illness through warm community, dignity and respect. Using a structured work-ordered day, they provide meaningful opportunities for people to grow and thrive. Join us at the regular Thursday night meeting link to learn more about how this resource can benefit you or others who live with mental health issues. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2021 News From National DBSA New Series: “I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self” debuted May 1. This program is organized by the DBSA Young Adults Council of which one of our very own chapter members is a leader and will be featured in an upcoming episode. I'm Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self I'm Living Proof Submissions and Guidelines New National DBSA Position Statement DBSA Outreach to the Black Community DBSA statement regarding the relationship between law enforcement and the mental health community Peer Advisory Council Opportunities Putting wellness within every individual’s reach is at the core of DBSA’s mission, strategies, and programs. Two of the ways we do that are through peer councils and market research. Two of these opportunities are outlined below. If you are selected to participate in either opportunity, you will be compensated for your time and energy. More information will be provided about compensation in each of the pre-screeners. One opportunity is for individuals who live with bipolar I disorder. The other opportunity is for individuals who live with major depressive disorder. DBSA does not endorse any form of treatment, including medication, nor any particular medication. Both opportunities require: 18 years of age or older Opportunity 1 Peer Council for individuals living with bipolar I Specific Requirements: • Diagnosis of bipolar I disorder • Have taken medication to treat bipolar I disorder at some point in their life What will the Peer Council do? Members of the peer council will be asked to review a one-page email and a five-minute video that peers who have been newly prescribed a medication receive. Feedback and comments will be compiled and shared anonymously. Who is conducting this peer council? DBSA is convening this peer council on behalf of AbbVie. AbbVie’s mission is to create an innovation-driven, patient-focused specialty biopharmaceutical company capable of achieving sustainable top-tier performance through outstanding execution and a consistent stream of innovative new medicines. For more information on AbbVie, visit: www.abbvie.com What should I do if I’m interested? If you’re interested in participating, please click here to take the pre-screener survey. We will reach out if this opportunity seems to be a good match for you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MayPeerCouncil Opportunity 2 Peer Council for individuals living with major depressive disorder Specific requirements: • Diagnosis of major depressive disorder • Have taken at least one antidepressant at some point in their life • Access and ability to participate in an online video conference, such as Zoom What will the peer council be asked to do? Selected participants will take part in a 90-minute facilitated discussion and share their responses to recruitment materials for a clinical research program and to marketing materials. The call will be recorded and transcribed. Who is conducting the peer council? Phyllis Foxworth, DBSA Advocacy Vice President, will moderate the discussion on behalf of Relmada. Relmada's mission is to develop transformative medicines that improve the lives of patients and their families. For more information on Relmada, visit: www.relmada.com What should I do if I am interested? If you’re interested in participating, please click here to take the pre-screener survey. We will reach out if this opportunity seems to be a good match for you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JunePeerCouncil New Links Added Weekly National DBSA Covid-19 Resources National Institute of Mental Health Covid-19 Resources Managing Grief During a Pandemic (Facebook) Handling Bipolar Symptoms While
