DBSA e-Update November 2009
Quick Links
An Elegant Autumn Evening for a Good Cause
Don't Wait til December--Video Contest Deadline Extended!
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We’ve extended the deadline to December 1 for personal video story submissions in the DBSA 2009 Facing Us Video Contest…but don’t wait til then! Share your story of recovery now:
• Deliver a personal monologue.
• Sing it in a song.
• Say it with a poem.
• Act out a play with friends.
• Use illustration or animation.
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Show the world the real “face” of depression in your video and throw your hat in the ring for a chance at one of three prizes:
$1,000 (1st Place)
$600 (2nd Place)
$400 (3rd Place)
Show us what recovery means to you!
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Two Exciting Ways to Share Your Personal Experience
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The DBSA Consumer and Family Survey Center:
Share Your Experience of Attitudes Towards Mental Illness
We’re excited to announce the rollout of the DBSA Consumer and Family Survey Center. We’ll be conducting short, online surveys each quarter to help us understand the key issues that face you. We’ll use your feedback to help determine what programs and resources will be the most helpful…and also to inform the general public on these issues the consumer community faces.
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Our debut survey, “Attitudes Toward Mental Illness,” focuses on issues related to living with mood disorders, the impact on family and friends, and care that is provided.
We hope that you will become a regular participant in our surveys. And if you have ideas for topics to address in the future, please e-mail ADaniels@DBSAlliance.
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A New Groundbreaking Book
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.
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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.
To learn more and find out how to submit YOUR story for possible publication, please click here or visit www.DBSAlliance.org/Brink.
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Chapter Update
Help Others Find Recovery--Apply by November 6
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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Faith at Dawn
"Faith is like the bird that sings at dawn while it is dawn. It is dark for just one night at a time, and the birds sing while it is still dark. So can I. The sun comes up no matter what. So can I. ONE day at time."
Life in Color
"My therapist taught me to see the colors between the black and white in my thinking, instead of the grays. I’d much rather live in color than in shades of gray!"
Fresh Air
"When feeling overwhelmed, go outside into the fresh air and take several deep breaths. Breathe in slowly and deeply, then exhale slowly."
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Share some of your own “wellness wisdom!"
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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.
Women's Mental Health--New from SAMHSA
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