Join DBSA For Live and Interactive Discussion Around the Value of Shared Decision Making and Peer Support

Register today to participate in a live discussion that explores how peers can better work with their clinicians in identifying treatment options centered around their preferred treatment outcomes. Referred to as “shared decision-making,” this collaborative process between the peer and their health care team has been proven to achieve better peer-centric results.

The 60-minute, interactive program called “The Peer Perspective of Challenges, Purpose, and Hope with Continuing Depression” will air on October 13 at 11:00 a.m. ET. DBSA peers, including program panelist Maria Margaglione, DBSA Programs Director, will share DBSA wellness resources that can assist peers in preparing for their visits with their clinicians. Two DBSA peer advocates will share their perspective on the value of peer support and working with their mental health care teams to support the whole health outcomes they are seeking. Dr. Larry Culpepper, Professor of Family medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Michael Thase, Professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania will also participate in the panel discussion.

In addition to discussing how to optimize shared decision-making, the panelists will discuss what to do when symptoms persist despite following treatment recommendations, and how to weigh treatment risks and benefits with your health care team.

Peers and their caregivers are invited to join this live, interactive video presentation by registering on NeuroCareLive today! Our expert panelists are also accepting questions from the audience during the live program. Submit your questions today on NeuroCareLive’s Q-Board and vote on other submitted questions to have them discussed live.

DBSA Hosted and Recorded Virtual Advocacy Track

If you were not able to attend the advocacy track at the DBSA 35th Anniversary Leadership Summit Saturday, here’s what you missed: “The Advocacy Track was fantastic! I didn’t know what to expect; I had no idea of the depth of insight that would take place, the kind of support that the DBSA national office has to offer, and the pervasive position that we as an organization are creating a better world.” -Debra from North Carolina

How can we ensure our collective voices make a difference?

DBSA supports giving peers a voice in both policy and media related advocacy at national, state, and local levels. DBSA programs ensure that the needs and concerns of peers are at the heart of public-policy decision-making when determining best practices around mental health service delivery and treatment decisions. DBSA is celebrating 35 years because of our advocates, volunteers, collaborators, and partners who support the DBSA Advocacy in Action program. This national movement to end discrimination and improve access to quality mental health care works, in essence, because of people like you!

On October 3rd, as part of the Leadership Summit in celebration of our 35th Anniversary, we hosted a virtual Advocacy Track with expert panel discussions, presentations about resources and tools, and breakout discussion groups about how we can position peers in center of decision-making and as the drivers of systemic change in our own communities.

To view the recording of the track session 1, follow this link.

A panel of advocates share their experience and share how you can position peers in center of decision-making and as the drivers of systemic change to:

  • Promote the value of peer support, including broadening adoption of peer support specialists throughout mental health delivery
  • Deploy simple techniques to engage chapter participants in legislation and public policy
  • Establish a leadership role in research/clinical trial opportunities to ensure peer interests and perspectives influence outcomes

To view the recording of the track session 2, follow this link.

This session shares how you can position peers in center of decision-making and as the drivers of systemic change and learn about:

  • Simple techniques to engage chapter participants in legislation and public policy
  • Example of state-level advocacy and how DBSA National supports these
  • DBSA programs to change public attitudes about mental health

To view the recording of the track session 3, follow this link.

This session shares how you can use DBSA programs to change public attitudes about mental health. Learn how you can:

  • Weigh the pros and cons of sharing your experience with others
  • Drive systemic change by changing the conversation about mental health
  • Use DBSA programs to give chapter and support group participants as well as other community organizations a focal activity to initiate the conversation

Our goal is to continue the conversation. For more training materials, including those mentioned in in the sessions, and to coordinate next steps in your advocacy efforts, contact Andrew at asmith@dbsalliance.org. Together we can grow our collective voices to make a difference.

Your Voice Can Make a Difference

Please support this work by forwarding this message to colleagues, family, and friends who are passionate about this cause to assist us in this grassroots effort to make our voice heard.

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