There are topics people don’t like to discuss and sometime there is even a stigma to them, and mental illness is one of them.
All too often when someone is diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder, they don’t have any idea where to go to find support.
For this reason, the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) was started in 1985. DBSA is a patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The organization works to ensure people living with mood disorders are treated equitably.
DBSA is a non-profit organization that answers more than 3,000 calls per month on a toll-free information and referral line and receives more than 21 million hits per year on combined websites. It distributes nearly 20,000 educational materials each month free of charge to anyone requesting information about mood disorders. DBSA reaches nearly 5 million people through education materials and programs, exhibit materials and media activities.
The mission statement for DBSA is to provide hope, help and support to improve the lives of people living with depression and bipolar disorder.
After proper diagnosis and treatment, the support from others is vital to a lifetime of wellness. DBSA chapters can provide that support and much more.
DBSA has two groups locally that are open to the public for Michigan and Indiana residents.
A Niles group meets every other Thursday at 6:30 p.m. A St. Joseph group meets every Monday at 6 p.m. These peer-run support groups are held in a confidential and supportive setting. Support groups are not a substitute for professional care. DBSA chapters and support groups do not endorse or recommend the use of any specific treatment or medication.
Understanding the need to help teenagers who have depression or bipolar disorder, DBSA is encouraging them to attend the Niles group. Plans are under way to establish a group for teens only.
The DBSA is holding its first annual fundraiser, Walk/Run to Knock Out the Stigma of Mental Illness, Saturday, May 21 at the Niles High School Track. Needed are walkers, runners and people to donate to a cause that affects most families.
Contact Carla at (564) 386-2289 or e-mail carlaandresen@aol.com, or Cindy at (269) 369-9154 or e-mail skifri@gmail.com.
For more information, visit dbsalliance.org./southwestmichigan or visit DBSA Swmichigan on Facebook.