FACING US WELLNESS TRACKER: DBSA Wellness Tracker is an online tool to help you better recognize potential health problems and mood triggers in your daily life.
DBSA is working with Australian author Graeme Cowan to produce a book called BACK FROM THE BRINK: Americans Tell their Stories of Overcoming Depression. Released in May 2007, the book’s Australian version includes interviews with 12 people: two Olympic gold medalists, the former governor of one of Australia’s largest states, a world renowned artist and poet, and eight everyday people.
It quickly became a best seller and received enormous media coverage. It was so successful because of its in-depth interviews of real people who came “back from the brink” of depression or bipolar disorder…and wanted to share the strategies that helped them do that.
To prepare for the book, Graeme Cowan is conducting a unique survey that asks Americans living with depression and bipolar disorder which treatments and strategies work best for them. This brief survey explores exercise, support of family and friends, relaxation, psychological counseling, fulfilling work, nutrition, antidepressant medication, and more.
No one knows better than you what works best. Let us know. The results of the survey will be made available on the DBSA website and also published in the book.
Mother’s Day: Give the Gift of Life Support Postpartum Depression LegislationMother’s Day has been recognized in special ways for thousands of years. It is a good time to reflect on the importance of mothers in our lives.
This year, let’s start a new tradition by showing our appreciation for mothers by supporting Postpartum Depression (PPD) legislation.
The legislation (H.R. 20) and (S. 324) is The Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act. This legislation will educate and provide new mothers and their families with essential services, increase public awareness, encourage the expansion of research and most importantly, find new and effective treatments.
Each year, 800,000 new mothers will develop postpartum depression. This does not include the 7.5 percent of women who will develop major depression during pregnancy.
Both pieces of legislatiion are named in honor of Melanie Stokes, a 41 year-old Chicago sales manager who took her life after giving birth to her first child. She plunged to her death from the 12th floor ledge of a Chicago hotel as firefighters pleaded with her not to jump. Melanie took her life despite medical assistance and the support of her family and friends.
Also, encourage your friends and family to send letters as well. Letters are already prepared for your use in the DBSA”s Legislative Action Center (LAC). To use the Tell-A-Friend feature, click here.
DBSA promotes smoking cessation as a priority of our initiative to improve overall health and wellness for consumers. We offer smoking cessation trainings for consumers, consumer-providers and other mental health care providers.
Search for mental health professionals or facilities that have been recommend by individuals living with a mental illness. DBSA launches 'Find A Pro' tool geared for peer recommendations for mental health services. Submit a referral and get a free DBSA lapel pin and be entered to win a Swarovski crystal bracelet!
