From a gathering of 6 friends in a suburban Chicago home to a thriving organization serving 4 million people annually, DBSA has seen tremendous growth in its first 35 years. Here are the milestones that reveal where we’ve been — and set the stage for where we’re headed in the decades ahead.

1978

Rose Kurland’s Meeting

Rose Kurland plants the seeds of what will become DBSA.

A meeting in Rose Kurland’s living room in the north suburbs of Chicago plants the seeds for a peer organization that will become the Manic Depressive Association (MDA).

1984

First Convention Hosted in Chicago

First MDA Convention hosted in Chicago, IL

MDA holds its first convention at Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel, with 50 leaders from 14 states in attendance.

1986

Celebrating NDMDA

Congress Celebrates NDMDA

A congressional reception hosted by House Speaker Tip O’Neill with Senators Pete V. Domenici, Orrin Hatch, Daniel K. Inouye, Paul Simon, and U.S. Representative Silvio O. Conte celebrates the establishment of the National Depression and Manic Depression Association (NDMDA), formerly MDA. Katherine Graham, publisher of the Washington Post, who years earlier had lost her husband, Phil, to suicide, is the guest speaker. NDMDA uses the slogan “Honk if you’re on lithium” for its new promotional materials.

1990

Frederick K. Goodwin, MD Receives Dr. Jan Fawcett Humanitarian Award

Frederick K. Goodwin, MD, receives the Dr. Jan Fawcett Humanitarian Award

Frederick K. Goodwin, MD, receives NDMDA’s Dr. Jan Fawcett Humanitarian Award at a gala benefit at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace serves as emcee of the event. The award is named for psychiatrist, educator and author Jan Fawcett, MD, who provided care for Rose Kurland and became her partner in creating a new organization focused on the needs of people with bipolar disorder.

1993

Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, Receives Dr. Jan Fawcett Humanitarian Award

Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, receives the Dr. Jan Fawcett Humanitarian Award

Clinical psychologist and author Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, receives the Dr. Jan Fawcett Humanitarian Award with Second Lady Tipper Gore in attendance. Jamison’s memoir, An Unquiet Mind, revealed her personal struggles with bipolar disorder, which she has lived with since early adulthood.

1994

First Large-Scale NDMDA Survey Published

First Large-Scale NDMDA Survey Published

The Journal of Affective Disorders publishes results of the first large-scale self-survey of NDMDA chapter members.

2000

Balanced Mind Foundation

Balanced Mind Foundation, serving and representing youth and parents with mood disorders, was founded with early development support from DBSA

2003

NDMDA Becomes DBSA

NDMDA Becomes DBSA

NDMDA changes its name to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) to reflect modern psychiatric terminology.

2004

SAMHSA Grant Supports Peer Specialist Training Pilot

DBSA receives a SAMHSA grant to develop and test a model peer specialist training program.

2005

Exploring the Role of Peer Specialists in VA Treatment Plans

DBSA meets with two Veterans Administration committees to discuss the integration of certified peer specialists into VA treatment plans.

2006

Mike Wallace Addresses Depression in America

State of Depression in America with Mike Wallace

DBSA produces The State of Depression in America, an award-winning report hosted by CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace. Wallace’s first major bout of depression was triggered in 1984, after U.S. Army General William C. Westmoreland sued Wallace and several others for libel. Westmoreland was featured in the 1982 CBS documentary, The Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam Deception, for which Wallace served as chief correspondent. Wallace’s courage in sharing his experiences with depression was lauded by peers and mental health experts alike.

 

2007

DBSA Testifies Before Congress

DBSA briefs members of the U.S. Congress on the value of peer support services for military personnel returning home from active duty.

2008

Facing Us Community Website Launches

DBSA Launches Facing Us Website

DBSA introduces a new community wellness website, FacingUs.org. Though the site is no longer available, DBSA’s social media channels and online support groups offer a way to connect.

2009

DBSA Launches New Wellness Tracker

DBSA Wellness Tracker App Unveiled

DBSA unveils the DBSA Wellness Tracker, giving peers a practical tool to record daily mood, medication, diet and lifestyle information to support their recovery and wellbeing. Though the app is no longer available, people can download the pdf.

2010

DBSA Advances Depression and Bipolar Research

DBSA partners with the University of Michigan Depression Center to begin developing a consumer clearinghouse for depression and bipolar research, helping investigators connect with individuals who may be eligible to take part in groundbreaking studies.

Building Strategic Partnerships in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Launched DBSA’s Industry Advisory Board, a membership-based network of executives from within the pharmaceutical industry.

2012

DBSA Trains Peer Support Specialists Serving Vets

DBSA to train and certify VA peer support employees

DBSA is awarded one of the first Veterans Administration contracts for the training and certification of VA peer support employees.

2013

Balanced Mind Foundation Joins DBSA to Support Youth and Families

Balanced Mind Foundation merges with DBSA for an integrated approach to supporting children living with mood disorders and their parents 

2014

DBSA Young Adult Council Founded

DBSA creates the Young Adult Council to address the unique needs of individuals aged 18 to 30 who live with mood disorders.

2015

DBSA Hosts Congressional Briefings on Peer Support

In the first-ever congressional briefing initiated entirely by people living with mood disorders, DBSA meets with members of the U.S. Congress to share key findings on the value of peer support. The briefing is also the first session of its kind that focuses fully on peer support as a vital resource for recovery and long-term wellness.

Bipolar App of the Year

DBSA Wellness Tracker A Bipolar App of the Year

DBSA’s Wellness Tracker is named Bipolar App of the Year by Healthline Magazine.

2016

I’m Living Proof Launches

DBSA's I'm Living Proof

DBSA creates I’m Living Proof, a collection of inspiring stories from adults who’ve found their way to wellness, created for tweens and teens experiencing early signs of mood disorders.

First DBSA Online Support Groups Created

Online Support Groups

DBSA teams up with Support Groups Central to launch online support groups that people can join from anywhere, providing a resource for peers who lack easy access to local support groups.

DBSA Fights Discrimination with Compassionate Language Guide

10 Ways to Combat Discrimination with Compassionate Language

DBSA seeks to end stigma and misunderstanding by publishing 10 Ways to Combat Discrimination with Compassionate Language, a free guide for clinicians, employers, families, friends, public officials, and the media.

2017

The Veteran PEER Act

Veteran PEER Act

DBSA works with congressional leaders to develop the Veteran PEER Act, a bipartisan measure ensuring that Veterans at 30 pilot VA medical facilities will have access to certified Veteran Peer Specialists.

First Patient Engagement and Stakeholder Workshop

DBSA organizes its first Patient Engagement and Stakeholder Workshop, bringing together peers and family members with FDA staff, medical product developers, and clinicians to discuss ways to bring peer-preferred treatment outcomes into the clinical trial process.

2018

DBSA Hosts Patient-Focused Listening Session

DBSA hosts patient-focused listening session

In the first meeting of its kind, DBSA brings more than 200 peers together with FDA staff and medical product developers for a patient-focused listening session on treatment, side effects, and wellness goals, told from the point of view of those living with mood disorders.

DBSA Conducts In-Depth Wellness Survey

With guidance from a specially organized Peer Council, DBSA conducts an in-depth wellness survey. More than 6,400 responses reveal what treatment outcomes matter most to people living with mood disorders.

2019

New DBSA Website Launches

DBSA serves more than 4 million people annually.

DBSA unveils an all-new website, reflecting our new strategic vision, values, and core beliefs. Thanks to growing web, email, and social media traffic combined with local outreach, DBSA serves more than 4 million people annually.

DBSA Certified Peer Support Specialist Course Redeveloped

DBSA updates and improves its Certified Peer Support Specialist Course, offering quality education for those who seek to join the growing peer workforce.

Grant Paves Way for DBSA’s Supporting Youth Mental Health Program

Supporting Youth

A landmark grant lays the groundwork for DBSAs’ Supporting Youth Mental Health program, which will build our capacity to reach and support children, teens, young adults, parents, and caregivers.

2020

DBSA Responds to Urgent Needs Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

DBSA increases online support in response to urgent needs.
  • DBSA increases online support groups from 6 to 52.
  • DBSA begins offering its peer course online as need surges. 

DBSA Launches Wellness Wheel

DBSA launches Wellness Wheel

Adapting a widely used concept in mental health, DBSA launches its own Wellness Wheel, helping people with mood disorders create a holistic picture of their strengths and needs in 7 key areas.

2021

DBSA Begins Multi-Year Veteran Strength Peer Program

DBSA launches the first stage of what becomes the four-year Peer Apprenticeship Program called Veteran Strength

2022

DBSA Secures VHA Peer Training Contract

DBSA secures a five-year contract to train peer specialists for the Veterans Health Administration.

DBSA Approved to Train California Peer Specialists

DBSA becomes an approved training provider by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to deliver peer specialist training. CalMHSA estimates 5,000 potential peers to become state certified.

2024

DBSA Completes Peer Apprentice Pilot and Plans Next Phase

DBSA completes its four-year pilot Peer Apprentice Program and works with the Taproot Foundation and members of Johnson & Johnson to evaluate this pilot experience and plan for future steps.

2025

DBSA celebrates 40 years as an officially incorporated nonprofit organization.

DBSA 40th Anniversary

What started as a small meeting in DBSA co-founder Rose Kurland’s living room has grown into the nation’s leading peer advocacy organization supporting those with mood disorders. 

 

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