DBSA Self Help Center (MO)

DBSA Self Help Center, 2012 Large Chapter Service Award winner, provides empowering opportunities for their members and excellent educational resources in their community. They launched an ongoing workshop featuring readings and discussions on recovery-based topics. Outreach through inpatient support groups provided hope to participants and a bridge to continued support after discharge. Chapter educational initiatives included partnerships with local universities to educate nursing students on recovery, a suicide prevention awareness booth at an area grocery store, and “Street Corner Fundraising” where members held up stigma-busting signs and accepted donations for the chapter. DBSA Self Help Center also empowered and supported the fundraising efforts of 27 participants to attend the statewide consumer conference.


DBSA Michiana (MI)

DBSA Michiana (MI) works hard to fight stigma and educate their community about suicide prevention. The chapter’s Community Awareness Committee (CAC) participates in a variety of health fairs and community events. Visitors to the chapter’s table receive a Mental Health Statistical Quiz, designed to combat stigma associated with mental health conditions. Chapter participants created display boards with items showcasing suicide prevention and awareness.

DBSA Michiana also printed a special issue newsletter pertaining to suicide which they distributed widely. The chapter planned a Suicide Awareness Walk to honor loved ones who have attempted or completed suicide. The money raised from the walk helped DBSA Michiana members attend Mental Health First Aid training and funded an educational seminar.


DBSA Chicago Loop (IL)

Founded in July 2011, Rookie Chapter Service Award winner DBSA Chicago Loop has grown and prospered at an impressive rate. With weekly support group attendance growing over 300% in four months, the chapter developed a base of devoted participants who have taken an active role in the chapter’s success.

Chapter leaders encourage participants to share larger roles in the chapter’s success. This positive atmosphere has seen the self-development of new leaders who have initiated chapter book and movie clubs, trained as support group facilitators, and participated in advocacy programs.

Word of the success of the chapter quickly moved beyond the community of those living with a mood disorder, creating awareness among family members. As a result, DBSA Chicago Loop launched a weekly support group for family and friends. This support group provides family members and friends the opportunity to share their journey with those in similar life situations.


DBSA GLBT Chicago (IL)

DBSA GLBT Chicago (IL), 2011 Small Chapter Service Award winner, may be a small group but their huge efforts deserve much recognition. The chapter serves individuals in Chicago’s GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender) community who live with a mood disorder.

After determining weight management to be an important concern amongst participants, DBSA GLBT Chicago hosted a workshop on nutrition, weight loss, and holistic wellness strategies. The speaker was a clinical psychologist with expertise on weight management for individuals who take psychiatric medications. With attendees from the chapter and the local community, the workshop was the chapter’s most successful event to date. In 2012 they followed up with an expert panel on sleep health, another frequently discussed topic at the support group.

The chapter helps participants keep in touch with news about mood disorders and other mental health topics by sharing the latest information on their website. The continuously updated list of current news articles from around the Web has become a valued resource for group participants. The chapter also offers a lending library with a collection of materials relating to mood disorders, health issues, and GLBT topics.


DBSA Northridge (CA)

DBSA Northridge, 2011 Large Chapter Service Award Winner, has a lot to be proud of! The chapter has achieved a high level of recognition in their community and is regularly sought out by local and international media. DBSA Northridge also operates a blog that shares participants’ mental health recovery stories and struggles. The purpose of the blog is to create a greater sense of community among existing members and to reach out to potential members, whose only exposure to the group is the internet.

DBSA Northridge hosts educational speaker events on topics such as disability benefits and choosing a health care provider. They also invite psychologists and clinicians to provide information about treatment options. The chapter offers a collection of free literature and a growing lending library.

Participants have many opportunities to get involved, including frequent facilitator trainings and committees focused on identifying new speakers and planning social events. As a result DBSA Northridge has a calendar full of events and a diverse group of facilitators committed to bringing DBSA support groups to even more individuals in the community.