DBSA e-Update July 2009
Quick Links
Final Agenda--DBSA 2009 National Conference
 |
Take a peek, and start planning now! Check out the final agenda for the conference weekend’s “who,” “what,” where,” and “when.” The agenda’s hour-by-hour schedule will help you make the most of your “Peer Connections” experience.
Get the specifics on topics covered in each keynote presentation and breakout session, as well as special events like the Klerman Awards ceremony, Comedy Night, and the musical Friends Reception.
Download the final agenda for the DBSA 2009 National Conference. |
Don't Be Late for Special Rates!
DBSA Speaks at International Bipolar Disorder Conference
| As the primary consumer organization at the 8th Annual International Bipolar Disorder Conference, DBSA spoke last month in Pittsburgh on topics such as peer support and recovery services. Among the 800 attendees, several DBSA representatives had roles in breakouts and panel discussions: President Peter Ashenden; Executive Vice President Allen Daniels, EdD; and Vice President of Peer Support Jim McNulty. |
 |
One of the conference’s defining moments came in the presentation by Thomas R. Insel, MD, the director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). He incorporated into his talk the change in the NIMH mission statement. It now declares that NIMH strives to “transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery and cure.” These recovery-oriented words represent a significant shift for this federal institute.
The International Bipolar Disorder Conference is held every other year and has become the most important and well-attended meeting focusing on bipolar disorder. Clinicians, researchers, patients, and consumers from around the world come together for this three-day conference to share their clinical expertise, research findings, and personal experiences with the goal of improving the quality of life of those living with bipolar disorder.
Parity--DBSA Responds to U.S. Department of Labor
DBSA’s comments, and over 400 more, are now posted online.
Feedback came from all over the country…from individual citizens
as well as members of Congress such as Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), insurance companies, and other large organizations:
-
U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) -
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare -
American Psychiatric Association -
American Bar Association -
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association -
United Health Group |
To receive a copy of these comments, send a request to
U.S. Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Public Disclosure Room
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite N-1513
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 693-8673 |
Writing Towards Wellness--New Creativity Center Podcast
“Writing Towards Wellness with Memoir”
Dave’s Spark Creativity Center Podcast
Listen Now |
 |
Paula Lambert, a college-level creative writing and composition instructor, discusses how writing a memoir—a narrative about a specific experience in your life—can be an empowering step toward self-knowledge and wellness. Putting a challenging or difficult experience on paper gives us back some control over the negative or painful emotions we have about it. As an example, Paula shares excerpts from her own memoir, “Fruit of My Wound,” which she wrote as a way to understand two very dark episodes in her life...and explains how memoir can truly bring about healing.
Please Note: Part of this podcast contain very raw, uncensored, and stark reflections on the author's two overdose attempts. Her writing led her to a healing understanding of the most difficult times in her life, and it authentically reflects the real darkness that those living with severe depression experience. It also explains how, in spite of dark times, healing is truly possible. However, if you feel that this podcast could be a trigger for you, please speak to your mental health professional about your concerns before listening.
Paula Lambert holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and has taught creative writing and composition at the college level for 16 years. In 2004, she received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship in creative nonfiction for her memoir, “Fruit of My Wound.”
Summer Issue of Outreach Now Available
What does ABC’s Paige Hemmis have in common with DBSA and Rebecca’s Dream? Read the front page story in this issue of Outreach and find out! Our quarterly newsletter, Outreach, offers you articles from DBSA President Peter Ashenden, Board Chair Steve Propst, and SAB Chair Greg Simon, MD, MPH, as well as updates on local DBSA chapters and DBSA national projects and initiatives.
Download the entire issue (PDF).
 |
Articles in this issue:
- Helping Design a "Blueprint for Hope"
- President's Outlook: "Finding My Voice" (Peter Ashenden)
- DBSA and Me: Steve Bell, DBSA Colorado Springs
- Letter from the Chair: "Responding to a Relapse" (Steve Propst, MBA)
- Johns Hopkins Medical School and DBSA Collaborate on New TRD Project
- Chapter Highlights: "Chapter Service Awards"
- Help Others Put the Pieces Together
- Scientific Advisory Board Update: "Why Use the DBSA Wellness Tracker?"
(Greg Simon, MD, MPH) - The New DBSA Wellness Tracker--Stay Well and Stay on Track
- The Latest News on the DBSA 2009 National Conference
- Klerman Award Winners at Conference
- A Different Kind of "Military Force"
|
Chapter Update
Welcoming Our Newest State Organization
|
There is now a DBSA state organization in the Grand Canyon State of Arizona, thanks to the hard work of Henry Willey, chapter leader of DBSA Yavapai County. In late June, a dedicated group of DBSA chapter leaders, local consumers, and likeminded organization representatives came together to form a board of directors for this new state organization. With the addition of Arizona, DBSA now has 16 state organizations.
DBSA Arizona will be a central resource for all of the state’s DBSA chapters and will provide them with training and networking opportunities. To further education about mood disorders, the new state organization also plans to create a speakers bureau. It hopes to eliminate any feelings of territorialism and encourage collaboration and partnership between stakeholders from many different mental health networks in Arizona. |
 | DBSA state organizations are made up of leaders from the local chapters within the state and other interested individuals. These leaders come together as an “umbrella” organization to help their state’s chapters in their state improve by offering information, training and support. DBSA State Organizations also help recruit new chapters and support groups within their state and they help run state advocacy initiatives.
To learn about all DBSA state organizations and how you can get involved, visit www.DBSAlliance.org/StateOrgs.
Back Online: The Wednesday Support Group
DBSA is happy to be offering once again the Wednesday afternoon Online Support Group from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). To learn more about DBSA Online Support Groups, or to sign up, visit www.DBSAlliance.org/OSG.
New Chapters in June
DBSA Alamance-Orange (Elon, NC)
DBSA Greater Columbia (Columbia, SC)
DBSA Gunnison (Montrose, CO)
DBSA Wayne County, NY (Palmyra, NY)
In the Facing Us Clubhouse, consumers 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.
 |
Dust Off and Start Over
When I’ve hit rock bottom from a depressive episode and am looking at the destruction of my everyday life that has occurred, I have a little saying I keep repeating to myself to help me start over in my recovery: “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.”
Keep Your Journal With You
I carry my journal with me everywhere. I keep notes from all my therapy sessions, my thoughts, tips I get from others, etc., in my journal. All of my journals are bright colors with cheerful designs. My current journal even has ribbons tied to the spiral binder. It makes me feel better just looking at it!!
It's All OK
It’s OK to do less than you had planned. It is OK to do just ONE THING today. It is OK to be scattered. It is OK to feel low and tired. It is all going to be OK. You can still contribute just by breathing and thinking one positive thought for another or yourself. It’s all OK! |
Share some of your own “wellness wisdom!"
___________________________________________________________________________________
A Note about FacingUs.org:
When you visit the Facing Us Clubhouse, you’ll notice that several "rooms,” including the room that houses wellness tips, require you to log in or create an account. Why is this necessary? Because in these sections, you are creating personal journals, books or a plan that is uniquely yours. So, we need a way to pull your unique information--like pulling your file out of a filing cabinet.
Joining the Facing Us Clubhouse is easy and FREE! We only need two things to create an account just for you—your e-mail and a password. Please be assured that we will not distribute or sell your information to anyone outside of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. The media room of the site does not require registration. The only reason we require registration for other parts of the site is so that you can create your own personal wellness tools.
A Mental Health Quiz
Click on the image below to take a survey about mental health in the United States.
 |