DBSA is a wonderful organization, as it allows people with mood disorders to support each other when times are rough. It's really nice to have an organization where people just listen to you without judging you.
I've been part of DBSA for nearly a year now. My depression and anxiety were really bad sometimes. But every week, I felt that I could genuinely open up in the small groups where I wouldn't be able to, otherwise.
The organization has guidelines for discussions that are meant to prevent offense and triggers for people with mood disorders. The facilitators do a good job at ensuring these guidelines are followed.
I would recommend this organization to anyone who has mood disorders or is trying to learn more about them to help their loved one(s).
Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a unique peer-led organization for people with depression and bipolar disorder. Over half of their board members and staff have lived experience with mental health condition. The programs that they provide are all reflective of the understanding that they have of the needs of peers.
DBSA has been a great resource in helping my wife and me with options for support groups in our area. DBSA provides access to over 700 peer-led support groups for people living with depression and bipolar disorder. When my wife was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 13 years ago, we participated in several DBSA support groups in the Chicago area. It provided us both with support from other people with lived experience who understand what we are going through and who provided us with great support and ideas to cope.
When we realized that there is not a support group near our home, DBSA has provided us with training and support material to establish our local chapter as an independent not-for-profit organization. This group has now existed for 10 years and we have served over 1,500 people. On numerous occasions, we contacted DBSA's Chapter Relations with tough questions and situations that came up in our support groups. They provided prompt answers and suggestions on how we could address them. We could not have run our groups without the help from DBSA.
DBSA provides training for Peer Support Specialists, people with lived experience who will support other peers to live in wellness. My wife, my son, and several people in our chapter have taken this training and are helping to facilitate our support groups and are available as resources in other setting. Studies have shown the people with access to peer support services have better outcomes in wellness.
My wife and I have recently attended our fourth national DBSA conference. The national conferences are always a great opportunity to learn from national experts on the latest clinical approaches, to get inspired by the stories of other peers who are living in wellness and willing to share their stories, and to meet with other peers and their supporters from all over the country. We look forward to the next national conference already.
I recommend DBSA as a great not-for-profit organization.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is consistent with their mission and extremely motivating to be involved with. I would suggest getting involved and supporting this group and to advocate for one's self and others. Let them show you how!
DBSA Chicago Corporate offices house the Advocacy team. This team includes volunteers from Illinois, New Jersey, California, Florida and Tennessee. Headed up by the Vice President of Advocacy these states have leadership teams and advocates for depression and bipolar mental condition issues. Issues include parity for mental health as is with physical health and peer support with peer support specialist which are people who make a difference in the lives of the suffering helping bring them back to functioning individuals.
All of this has been accomplished in the past two years. I am the Chair of the Florida Grassroots Organization and I have known of DBSA Alliance for the past 15 years and have volunteered in this position for the last year. I have seen the difference the "lived experience" has made in my life. I drive an hour and fifteen minutes on Wednesday to my peer support group and have taken the first of a series of peer specialist training.
We are learning together under DBSA Alliance Chicago how a voice can turn into many voices and make a difference on helping to eliminate stigma, change legislation and bring peace and hope to a community of peers. DBSA Alliance far exceeds expectations for a nonprofit organization. Thank you DBSA.
