Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter Weekly Update June 27, 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; however some groups will remain virtual indefinitely. 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. Sunday Evening Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time Beltsville Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Monday, June 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time LGBTQIA+ Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. Women’s Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. Mid-Day Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Montgomery County Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting No meeting this week. Southern PG Peer Support Group Meeting (In Person) Time: Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 6:30 PM Eastern Time Location: Oxon Hill United Methodist Church - 6400 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 DC Zoom Peer Support Group Meeting Time: Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time Sunday Evening Peer Support Group Meeting - Happy 4th! Time: Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time 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 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 The Board of Directors and Facilitators Team met this past weekend and have developed the following “ReStart” plan, based on such factors as the availability/rules of host meeting space and desires of group members. This will be rolled out over the coming months as the situation continues to evolve. We are also developing a survey to receive your input with regard to these concerns; please be on the look out for this later in the week. The Tuesday women’s group and the noon Wednesday groups will continue to meet virtually indefinitely. Sunday virtual meetings at 6:00 PM will also continue indefinitely. However, starting June 17, the Southern PG group will return to meeting in person on Thursday evenings (now at 6:30 PM) at the Oxon Hill United Methodist Church at 6400 Livingston Road. Please note: masks will be required for all participants, even if vaccinated (as recommended). The other groups will continue to meet virtually as they have been for now. Any plans for in-person meetings will depend upon not yet announced reopening policies of the host churches, as well as upon group participant preferences. Each of these groups will conduct discussions during upcoming meetings of member preferences regarding going back to in-person and/or continuing virtual meetings. To add the new In Person Calendar and all other calendars for DBSA NCA to your Google Calendar, click here . DBSA Speaker Series: Dr. Frederick Jacobsen The Speaker Series event, COVID Sense & Sensibilities: The Tsunami of Depression/Anxiety, Sleep & Public Stress Meet Research Advances & the Goal of Health Maintenance , is now available on our Past Events page. 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. 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. Calling All Telehealth Patients The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is in need of telehealth patients to fill out a short survey on their experiences and satisfaction receiving services within the last 12-months. This survey is part of the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center (BHWRC), a joint initiative of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Center works to strengthen the workforce responsible for prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders by conducting studies to inform workforce development and planning efforts. The findings of this study will inform policy recommendations for developing strategies and programs to enhance telebehavioral health services. Online Events Outside of DBSA 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 NIMH new online study (~2 hours): “Emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic” Clinical Trials Survey System | Home News From National DBSA June 2021 eUpdate National DBSA Wellness Wheel New Links Added Weekly About the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter - including events, fundraising walks and hikes - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Depression Disconnect - Resources Medlive Presentation on Insomnia - requires free account registration Talk Saves Lives™ An Introduction to Suicide Prevention in the LGBTQ Community Write Your Legislators | Mental Health & Addiction Public Policy « National Council College & Career Resource for Students with Disabilities Recent articles from BP Magazine (BP Hope) Sensitivity & Bipolar Disorder—AM I TOO SENSITIVE? Reciprocal Relationships: Parenting Your Adult Child While Meeting Your Needs A Meteorologist Talks about His Dad's Bipolar & Accepting His Own Diagnosis Bipolar on TV: Does It Help or Harm? 9 Ways to Make Amends and Seek Forgiveness A Meteorologist Talks about His Dad's Bipolar & Accepting His Own Diagnosis How to Age Gracefully (& Healthily) with Bipolar Disorder Managing Post-Pandemic Social Anxiety Read “Here Comes the Sun: Spring & Summer Mood Swings” Asking Siblings to Help Care for an Aging Parent with Bipolar SoundOFF! on Bipolar & Relationships Pushing Back Against The Stigma of Being Labeled "Crazy" How Bipolar Disorder Can Make Us Believe Things That Aren't Real Depression: Teaching Myself to See It Coming 8 Things I Wish I Had Known When I Was First Diagnosed 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
