Calling all mental health advocates! You are invited to join DBSA Sept. 27- Oct 1.

This year, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s Leadership Summit has been expanded to a weeklong event with sessions for everyone, including people living with mood disorders, their families and caregivers, mental health advocates, clinicians, and DBSA chapter leaders and members. The summit will take place virtually Sept. 27 through Oct. 1. 

Here’s what you’ll get with registration:

  • Practical tools for improving your mental health
  •  Your pick of 40+ sessions covering wellness, advocacy, and leadership
  • Tactics for supporting people living with mood disorders
  • Access to fun stuff, like a cooking class, meditation circle, and comedy showcase
  • The chance to meet and network with other mental health advocates

You will also hear from keynote speaker and Emmy Award winning actor Maurice Benard of ABC’s General Hospital, who will be participating in a live interview and Q&A with DBSA CEO Michael Pollock about his experiences living with bipolar disorder.

Benard, a longtime mental health advocate, insisted his character on General Hospital, Sonny Corinthos, be openly diagnosed with bipolar disorder so mental health awareness could be featured forefront on a daily television platform.

“Art imitates life. In a lot of my work, in General Hospital, my character is bipolar, and I’m bipolar,” Benard said. “Sometimes it’s difficult doing both. Sometimes I can’t shake what I’m doing at work, I have to take it home… It’s not the easiest thing. I don’t hold anything back. I just tell the story, my story – and I can be brutally honest.”

In addition, attendees of the summit will get to choose from a variety of carefully crafted sessions, including:

  • “Know Your Rights: Addressing Mental Health Discrimination in the Workplace and at Home,” where attendees will learn about their rights and how to advocate for themselves and others
  • “Mental Health Equity: Access and Outcome Disparities in Black Communities,” a session designed to spotlight mental health disparities and how we can work toward addressing it
  • “Preventing Caregiver Burnout and Compassion Fatigue,” which will equip summit-goers with the skills to care for themselves so they can be at their best for others

Registration for the Leadership Summit is $25. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Learn more and register here.

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