DBSA e-Update July 2010

Speak Up and Share Your Story!

If you are successfully managing the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, we invite you to be an encouraging role model for others by telling the story of your journey as part of the SPEAK and Be Heard…Living With Depression campaign. We encourage you to submit your personal story—or let your artwork, music or poetry speak as a reflection of your journey—as a way to inspire hope in others with the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder or depression.

Whether you write an essay, produce a video, create artwork, craft a poem, or sing a song, share your journey. In doing so, you’ll share more than your success. You’ll share hope. So SPEAK. Others will hear.

Submission categories are: Art, Poetry, Essay, Song, and Video. Select entries will be used to educate people on bipolar disorder or depression through educational, promotional, and commercial programs that are related to the SPEAK and Be Heard…Living with Depression campaign.

Go to www.speakaboutdepression.com to learn more about the campaign and to submit your story! Submissions for all categories are currently being accepted. To qualify, submissions must be received by the following dates for each category:

• Essay, Song, and Poetry Categories: July 20 - August 13, 2010
• Art and Video Categories: July 20 - September 10, 2010

We’re thrilled to introduce our contest judges!
Read their bios...

We reached our first milestone thanks to YOU!

Thanks to your extraordinary efforts to spread the news about the Promoting Education, Empowerment, Resilience, and Stability (PEERS) Campaign, DBSA reached our first milestone on July 15: 150 donors! Because of you, our peers, DBSA doesn't have to face this difficult time alone.We need your help to keep the momentum going so that we can reach our $200,000 in less than a month!With your dedication and support, we know that we can make our goal!

There are many ways to get involved. Michael Wellington of St. Louis wanted to make a difference and has!

After five complicated years coming to terms and coping with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, I realized that I wanted to help other people who were struggling with bipolar and depression.

To help raise awareness and funds for the PEERS Campaign in my community, I decided to host a charity golf tournament in St. Louis, Missouri at Westborough Country Club. I was lucky to be joined as co-host by NFL punter Greg Montgomery (Michigan State University, Houston Oilers, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions), who also is living with bipolar disorder. Montgomery joined me on July 3, 2010 to co-host the Firecracker 500 golf tournament, where we were able to raise right around $4,000 for DBSA.

This is just the beginning. Bipolar is a killer, and we all need to fight back against it in any way we can.

--Michael Wellington,St. Louis, MO

Announcing DBSA's Newest Chapters

DBSA Hastings, MN - Hastings, MN
DBSA Wilkin/Richland - Breckenridge, MN and Wahpeton, ND
DBSA Art Institute Chicago - closed to Art Institute Students Chicago, IL
DBSA Hope Alive Lagos Nigeria - Lagos State, Nigeria
DBSA NW Iowa - Spencer, IA
DBSA New Milford-Litchfield County - New Milford, CT

Wellness Tips from Peers

In the Facing Us Clubhouse, individuals who have found small ways to make a big difference in their recovery can share wellness tips like those listed here. Visit the Clubhouse to be inspired by your peers...and to pass on some of your own inspiration.

Music
Music can soothe the soul. Some genres, bands or songs can be uplifting and energize a tired mind. Try new things and expand your musical knowledge!

Cloudy Days
Remember, on every cloudy day, the sun is shining above the clouds. Although you can't see it, it's still there. With the sun, there is always hope.

Wellness
"Everyone falls down. The trick is to learn to bounce."