DBSA e-Update August 2008: Events & Programs
New Podcasts Offer Conference Preview!
 Don’t miss the latest DBSA Real Recovery Podcast, “At Home with Wellness: Families & Recovery,” with author and conference speaker Julie A. Fast and host Gail Cutler of Rebecca’s Dream. It offers a sneak peek at the topics Julie will cover as a speaker at DBSA’s “Power of Peers” National Conference!
More Podcasts Offering a Conference Preview!
Due to Popular Demand—More Comedy at Conference
 A little more laughter is coming your way next month at the 2008 National Conference! The Saturday, September 13, Stand-Up Comedy Night featuring David Granirer and 8 conference attendees sold out fast, but don’t worry. If you haven’t had a chance to register yet, keep smiling … We're offering another performance that same night, so sign up now for this second stand-up show!
Besides being a comic, David’s also a counselor, author and the founder of Stand Up for Mental Health, a program featured in the 2008 Voice Award-winning documentary, Cracking Up. To get a glimpse of David in action, check out his hilarious perspective on Facing Stereotypes and Telemarketers—both in the media room’s entertainment section on http://www.facingus.org/.
To see David in person, join us in Norfolk next month!
Rock On—Send Music Contest Entries Through September 1!
Celebrate the creative spark of musicians living with mood disorders and enter the DBSA “Facing Us” 2008 Music Contest—you could win up to $900! We’re accepting audio clips through September 1, so there’s still time to share your musical gifts and inspire others! The basic contest details and rules are as follows:
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 Songs must be original work, written and performed by the artist. -
Entrants must self-identify as having, or having had, a lived experience of depression or bipolar disorder. -
Online voting begins September 8 and runs through October 1. -
Prizes: 1st Place $900 / 2nd Place $600 / 3rd Place $300 -
Winners will also be featured on a compilation CD and FacingUs.org.
For all of the “fine print” on this contest sponsored by DBSA and Dave’s Spark: Start Something, visit www.FacingUsContest.org/.
Rock on—send us your audio clip by September 1!
Live in the Chicago Area? Celebrate with Us October 4!
On October 4, join DBSA in downtown Chicago for Celebration Recovery, honoring people recovering from mental illness and substance use ... and recognizing those who provide encouragement and support to help make recovery possible.
It's FREE, and no registration is required! For more info, click here.
DBSA e-Update August 2008: Advocacy
Talk to Your Legislator at Town Hall Meetings
With Congress now in recess, your legislators in the U.S. House and Senate are back in their home districts. This is the time of year when they’re able to hold the most “at home” meetings about issues important to you, their constituents. And with the presidential election less than three months away, your legislators are even more focused on what you, their constituents, have to say. Many of them are also up for reelection in November. And to get your input and feedback as a concerned voter, they often hold “town hall meetings” in public places like community centers, college auditoriums, city halls, etc.
To find out where and when town hall meetings are held in your area, visit the “Your Elected Officials” page within DBSA’s Legislative Action Center and follow these steps:
So, how can you make the most of a town hall meeting? Here are some tips:
- Be Prepared. You don’t need a well-rehearsed, 20-minute speech. Just say what you think. Give a well thought-out argument, good data and a personal story that will be remembered.
- Tell a Personal Story. This is why your legislators hold town hall meetings—to get firsthand accounts of the impact that different policies have on you, their constituents. Take some time before the town hall meeting to consider how a policy might affect you, your family, your business or your community. For example, how does inadequate health insurance affect your access to services and, ultimately, your health? Be brief and stay on topic. Whether a legislator agrees with you or not, they want to hear what you have to say.
 Use Numbers if You Have Them. Almost everyone who speaks out at a town hall meeting represents other constituents. For example, “I belong to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. We represent more than 20 million people living with depression and bipolar disorder.” The numbers count. - Be Respectful. You’d be surprised to know how many people at town hall meetings begin by saying, “I pay your salary, so you’d better listen to me.” Whether talking to the grocery store cashier or a public official, being persuasive—and being heard—means first being respectful.
- Go in Groups. There is definitely strength in numbers! And at town hall meetings, a chorus is better than a solo performance!
- Talk to Your Legislator’s Staff. Every Congressman brings his or her staff to town hall meetings. Talk to them before the meeting, get their business card and tell them your story.
- Leave Paper. Town hall meetings are usually staffed by your legislator’s district office staff who, since they don’t work in Washington, don’t deal with legislative issues on a daily basis. If you leave background memos or talking points, they’ll likely be faxed to DC to the legislative assistant who covers the issue you’re concerned about.
- Follow Up Politely. It’s the “politely persistent” people that persuade politicians. Congressional offices are hectic places and get many letters and phone calls. Legislators often respond first to the person who quickly follows up with a phone call after they’ve been to a town hall meeting.
- Get People to Multiple Meetings. Hearing the same concern in different places signals that this issue might be serious and affect more than just a handful of people. As one legislator’s staffer said, “When we got the same obscure question in Glen Burnie as we did in Crofton, my member of Congress said, ‘We’d better look into that.’”
- Show You’re Not Going Away. If you continue to be a presence at town hall meetings, the legislator must take your question or hear your concern, if only to avoid an uncomfortable encounter at a future meeting.
- Raise a Question. Don’t underestimate the power of raising a question at a town hall meeting and getting a public official on the record. If a legislator tells you in a public setting, “I’ll look into it,” you can be sure that the issue immediately goes to the top of some staffers “to do” list. Politicians don’t want to be accused of not following through on a promise to a voter.
DBSA e-Update August 2008: Peer Services & Training
DBSA to Roll Out First U.S. Whole Health Peer Training
 This May, in Battle Creek, Michigan, 35 participants took part in a pilot training course in peer support whole health recovery. Once the course is finalized, DBSA will roll out this training, the first of its kind in the nation. Funded by Michigan’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration, the May pilot training included peer-supported exercise, nutrition and smoking cessation. And it’s one way that DBSA is addressing the fact that “people with serious mental illness served by public mental health systems die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population.” This news appeared in the October 2006 report Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness, published by the Medical Directors Council of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD).
Along with exercise, nutrition and smoking cessation, May’s pilot training also addressed a practice called the relaxation response. This practice helps reduce stress and the release of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is shown to increase belly fat, considered the most dangerous fat of all. Stress hormones like cortisol are triggered by the fight-or-flight response crucial to the survival of all animals. One of the leading researchers on stress and the fight-or-flight response is Dr. Herbert Benson. Benson founded the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital.
This new training program was developed by Georgia’s Appalachian Consulting Group and DBSA, working with Michigan and the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine. Some of the training is adapted from the research of Dr. Benjamin Druss, the Rosalynn Carter Chair of Mental Health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. Druss is working to adapt a peer support chronic disease program—one developed by Kate Lorig, RN, DrPH, at Stanford University—for use in the public mental health system. His project is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).
DBSA is honored to collaborate with such outstanding organizations and researchers and plans to bring this new peer support whole health training to many other communities and organizations in the future.
To learn more about DBSA’s new whole health training for peers,
contact us at (800) 826-3632, ext. 155,
or at PeerSupport@DBSAlliance.org.
DBSA e-Update August 2008: Chapter Update
One More Week--Special Conference Rates Just for Chapters!
 If you thought you missed the chance to register for the Power of Peers Conference at the discounted advance rate, think again! We've extended the deadline--just for chapters--until August 27. As chapter members who know already the incredible "power of peers," your presence adds so much to our conference!
To qualify for the special extended rate, follow these three easy steps:
(1) Click here to download the brochure and registration form.
(2) Write "Chapter Advance Special" at the top of your registration form.
(3) Fax or mail your completed registration form to the attention of Aaron Adair on or before Wednesday, August 27. (Our fax number and address are on the form.)
National Depression Screening Day: October 10
DBSA is proud to support National Depression Screening Day (NDSD), held this year on Friday, October 10. This day of awareness focuses on the very important role of screening. A 2007 Brandeis University study showed that screening for mental health and substance use disorders improves detection of these conditions and is often the first step to getting treatment. Unnoticed and untreated, a mental disorder often becomes more severe and more difficult to treat. And other mental and physical illnesses may develop as well.
This year’s NDSD event and programs include the following:
- PBS-Produced Video, Out of the Shadows: This 90-minute video discusses the science and treatment of depression and includes intimate portrayals of families and individuals coping with its wide-ranging effects. The film helps to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma surrounding this prevalent disease. And it underscores the fact that—whether we are battling it in our families, our workplaces, or in our own minds—depression touches everyone.
- Web-Based Training: Free webinar on new and/or cutting-edge prevention and treatment practices.
To learn more, or find out how to bring NDSD events to your chapter, visit http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/, e-mail ndsd@mentalhealthscreening.org or call (781) 239-0071.
New Chapters in July
DBSA Lansing, IL (Ill.)
DBSA Spring Harbor Hospital (Maine)
DBSA Western Maryland (Md.)
DBSA Rio Grande Valley (Tex.)
DBSA Burlington (Vt.)
DBSA Sauk County (Wis.)
DBSA e-Update August 2008: Ignite the Light
 Meet Best-Selling Author Richard Cohen at Conference Friends Reception
He’s a three-time Emmy award winner and a New York Times best-selling author who balances an acclaimed career with a busy home life as father of three with his wife, Today Show host Meredith Viera. A former CBS and CNN producer, Richard M. Cohen has appeared on The Today Show, Larry King Live and Good Morning America. And in just a few weeks, he’ll be at the Friends Reception at the DBSA National Conference—don’t miss this special event and the chance to meet this distinguished author on Friday, September 12! Cohen will join consumer advocate Larry Fricks at our Friends Reception for a book-signing and powerful readings from Strong at the Broken Places. In this, Cohen’s newest book, he tells the inspirational stories of Larry and four others, who live—as he does—with a chronic illness. Cohen’s 25-year battle with multiple sclerosis was the subject of his 2004 best seller, Blindsided.
Also at Conference…Meet DBSA’s New Interim Leader at the President’s Lunch!
Be one of the first to meet our new interim president, Peter C. Ashenden, and find out about the exciting things ahead for DBSA—register for the Saturday, September 13, President’s Lunch at the National Conference! In addition to lunch with Peter, President’s Lunch donors will receive one each of the following: a full conference registration (Friday and Saturday); a Friends Reception ticket; a DBSA apparel item; and a DBSA 2008 National Conference product exclusive to President’s Lunch donors. To learn more about the President’s Lunch, click here.
 Making Dreams Come True—The Rebecca’s Dream Gala
The 3rd Annual Rebecca’s Dream Gala is coming up this fall on Saturday, November 8. Raising awareness and understanding of bipolar disorder and depression, the evening also raises money for the Rebecca Lynn Cutler Legacy of Life Foundation, which supports many DBSA educational events and activities. Last year’s Gala raised over $270,000, which is making the following dreams become realities:
- Scholarships for this year’s “Power of Peers” Conference: Nearly 20 Rebecca’s Dream scholarships are alleviating some of the costs associated with attending the DBSA 2008 National Conference (e.g., hotel, transportation and food) next month in Norfolk, Virginia.
- At Home with Wellness—Pre-Conference Institute with Julie Fast: Click here to listen to Julie Fast in our new podcast that gives you a sneak preview of this dynamic pre-conference institute. Julie speaks with Gail Cutler, who founded Rebecca’s Dream with her husband Norman in memory of their daughter. On Friday, September 12, Julie’s interactive program will explore the way mood disorders affect individuals and their families. The session offers a renewed sense of hope, helpful communication techniques and a complimentary copy of Julie’s book, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder.
- New Family Support Groups: Rebecca’s Dream is helping DBSA to provide peer support through a grant process for our chapters, which will allow them to start new family support groups. Family-focused online support groups are also being added.
- A New Online Family Education Center: Coming this fall, the innovative Rebecca’s Dream Family Education Center will include videos and materials from Julie Fast’s pre-conference institute, as well as a webinar featuring Harvard child psychiatrist Dr. William Beardslee, podcasts, author chats … and much more!
Help us make even more dreams come true. Support the 3rd Annual Rebecca’s Dream Gala!
Give and Receive: New Perks for DBSA Donors!
For the more than 21 million Americans who live with depression or bipolar disorder, recovery is often a dark, grim and lonely road to travel. When you help us Ignite the Light and Strike Up Support, not only will you brighten someone else’s path, you’ll brighten your own. Here’s how:
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For a gift of…
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You’ll receive… |
Your gift means that DBSA can…. |
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$20 (Member level) |
● Our Outreach newsletter
● 20% discount on a national conference registration fee |
● Mail 50 information packets at no charge to the individuals requesting them ($20 value) |
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$21-$149 (Bronze level) |
Member-level privileges, plus:
● Suicide Prevention card |
● Publish & distribute 50 Suicide Prevention brochures ($25 value)
● Start 5 new support groups ($50 value) |
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$150-$499 (Silver level) |
Bronze-level privileges, plus:
● 10 colorful Davka notecards with envelopes
● Listing in the Annual Report
● Certificate suitable for framing (if requested) |
● Maintain 1 online support group for 3 months ($150 value)
● Cover costs of 1 advocacy day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC ($350 value) |
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$500 - $999 (Gold level)
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Silver-level privileges, plus:
● DBSA lapel pin
● Listing in the Annual Report
● Certificate suitable for framing (if requested) |
● Conduct 1 chapter leader training session ($500 value) |
To learn more about giving levels and how your contribution to DBSA and Ignite the Light helps others, visit www.DBSAlliance.org/DonorBenefits or call (800) 826-3632, ext. 166.
DBSA e-Update August 2008: Web Connections
How to Find a Professional—Our New Search Engine!
 DBSA is excited to announce Find A Pro, a new resource for peers to find, and recommend, mental health professionals! At www.DBSAlliance.org/FindAPro, you can search a list of providers and facilities recommended by others living with a mood disorder. To find the right provider, you can search by city, zip code, type of professional, specialty, gender, age and language(s) spoken. And the search results include a map to help you locate the provider or facility.
Share your hope, help and support through Find A Pro! If you recommend a clinician or facility, you’ll be helping us build our database of mental health providers. But, more importantly, you’ll be providing an invaluable service to your peers. As a personal message from someone who has “been there,” your recommendation can help others through the often confusing, overwhelming process of finding a provider.
The first 2,000 people to submit a Find A Pro recommendation will receive a special DBSA lapel pin, as a small token of our thanks, and will also be entered into a drawing for a beautiful Swarovski crystal bracelet, handmade by jewelry artist and consumer Sharon Baum Crawford.
Help your peers Find A Pro!
DBSA Recovery Chat: “Stamp Out Stigma and Rev Up Your Recovery!”
Stephen Propst, MBA
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT)
RSVP here (it’s free!)
 Be a stigma-buster! Did you know that fighting stigma can bolster your recovery? This is the topic of the breakout session hosted by Stephen Propst at the DBSA 2008 National Conference. And in this online event, he’ll give you a preview of this powerful conference session. Chat with him about what’s behind stigma, how to deal with it head-on and why doing so pays off.
Propst is chair of DBSA’s board of directors, president of DBSA Metro Atlanta and an active voice on radio, television and in print, and his “Mind Over Mood” column appears regularly in bp Magazine. He is a writer, conference speaker and consultant to families and patients who seek to successfully confront mental illness and have meaningful lives. Propst holds an MBA from Michigan State University and previously worked in the hotel/restaurant field.
DBSA e-Update August 2008: Wellness Tips
Paint, Become and Live Every Day
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.
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Paint
Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.
--Danny Kaye
Become
Live, Learn, Practice, Become. LIVE the way you want to be. LEARN from your mistakes along the way. PRACTICE every day the things that work the best, and eventually you will BECOME what you seek, and the actions will become second nature.
Live Every Day
If you want to be a writer, then you have to write every day to perfect your craft. The same is true with striving to achieve a healthy life. You have to be healthy and live in this every day. This could be as simple as keeping your meds on schedule or doing one small thing for yourself every day. Whatever “healthy” means to you, live it every day. |
To share some of your “wellness wisdom,” click here!
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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.
DBSA e-Update August 2008: In the News
Peter Ashenden Named Interim DBSA President
 Well-respected consumer advocate Peter Ashenden will assume leadership of DBSA on an interim basis on September 1, 2008. “Peter is one of the most committed and knowledgeable consumer advocates I have ever met,” stated DBSA Board Chair Stephen Propst. “His deep knowledge of the issues and his incredible range of experience are the perfect combination to lead DBSA in creating and strengthening consumer-run mental health services, a critical step towards transforming mental health care in America.”
Peter has served as DBSA’s executive vice president for a year and has over 30 years of solid experience in senior management, strategic planning, nonprofit management, development and delivery of recovery-oriented services and wellness training for health care experts and consumers. A consumer himself, he’s also nationally recognized as a keynote speaker, consultant and trainer, and for his talent in starting many self-help groups and grassroots networks across the country.
The former executive director of the Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP), Peter also served as a DBSA board member and board officer. He was recently named chair elect of the board of the U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) and is the first self-identified consumer ever to hold this position.
Peter will replace Sue Bergeson, who will be bringing the consumer viewpoint to another arena to help consumers in finding and maintaining recovery. DBSA’s board and staff would like to express its deep gratitude to Sue for her years of dedicated service and wish her well in her future endeavors. Thank you, Sue, and welcome, Peter!
To read the press release, click here.
Call for Nominations: 2009 DBSA Board of Directors
Stephen Propst, chair of DBSA’s Board of Directors and Judith Cook, PhD, chair of the Board Nominating Committee, request candidate submissions for the 2009-2011 term. Nominations will be considered for positions that become vacant after December 31, 2008.
The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds for director positions. Each candidate must agree to serve a three-year term and be willing to fulfill the responsibilities of board service. New directors will be elected at the December 2008 meeting of the Board of Directors.
Any DBSA supporter can nominate a candidate or himself/herself. To receive a nomination form and description of board duties and responsibilities, please contact Ariel Brenner at (312) 988-1173 or (800) 826-3632.
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