2014 State Organization Service Award
DBSA New Jersey
DBSA New Jersey is a shining example of commitment to DBSA’s mission. They jumped at a variety of opportunities to strengthen their services, launch new initiatives, and partner with the national office of DBSA in 2014. It was an exciting year that saw outreach to local chapters and the general community in New Jersey reach further than ever before. They enhanced the facilitator capacity in local support groups by providing three training sessions, promoted DBSA support groups to professionals and at a variety of events statewide, all while providing encouragement and mentorship to chapter leaders.
DBSA New Jersey is also an active participant in DBSA’s grassroots efforts becoming one of the inaugural state-wide grassroots organizations (GO). In 2014 they hosted the first of the national office of DBSA’s state-wide advocacy workshops by securing speakers and assisting in developing the agenda that has been replicated in other states. A steering team was formed with participants serving on local mental health boards, developing points of view on mental health legislation and joining with other mental health advocacy organizations in the state to educate state legislators on issues of access to quality mental health care.
A pinnacle achievement was their annual conference held in conjunction with DBSA’s Chapter Leadership Forum. The conference drew a record number of attendees including peers from New Jersey and chapter leaders from numerous states. They worked closely with the national office of DBSA to organize this event, assist with selecting the conference venue, and provide the opportunity for author Marya Hornbacher and musician and advocate Demi Lovato to speak as keynotes. Thank you, DBSA New Jersey, for all your amazing accomplishments!
2014 Large Chapter Service Award
DBSA Rockland County (NY)
DBSA Rockland County (NY) identified “getting the word out” as their catch phrase to summarize 2014’s accomplishments. Over the course of the year they engaged in a variety of community outreach endeavors including a speaker series, comedy show, and educational sessions on mood disorders with peers sharing their recovery journeys. New tools such as an interactive website, Meetup.com page, and private Facebook group provided additional avenues for people to find support. In the advocacy realm, chapter activities centered around spreading the word about DBSA to local representatives and participating in focus groups to provide input on how to improve the mental health system in their county.
Together these efforts resulted in exponential growth in support group participation, moving to a larger meeting facility, and increasing the number of facilitators to better serve their continually expanding membership. DBSA Rockland County considered their growth as an opportunity to empower more participants to take on leadership roles.
One of their proudest developments was the institution of a facilitators support group where facilitators can discuss best practices and help train new facilitators. They also diversified the leadership structure by creating more positions, increasing the number of directors, and implementing training to ensure smooth transitions in leadership. Through these efforts, the message “We’ve been there. We can help” has reached more individuals in their local area. Thank you for your commendable work, DBSA Rockland County!
2014 Small Chapter Service Award
DBSA Princeton (NJ)
DBSA Princeton (NJ) reached out to their community in new and exciting ways! The chapter’s activities included bringing workshops to local psychiatric hospitals to introduce patients to the concept of peer support groups and offering their chapter as a resource for education and support. These presentations feature personal testimonials by group participants and are presented in an engaging Q&A format.
They also represented DBSA and delivered the DBSA Depression Community Education Program at various health fairs—educating peers, families, and local facilities about mood disorders and the DBSA Princeton support groups. As word spreads about the positive impact of their outreach efforts, the chapter has created partnerships with other mental health facilities.
To advocate for the needs of persons living with mental health conditions, they began attending the meetings of the Mercer County Mental Health Board, which led to the Director of Mental Health Services for the county inviting them to have a representative on the board.
The chapter instituted changes and expansions in their peer support efforts. They identified and empowered people from a neighboring town to create a new group, bringing peer support to an area of their state which had previously lacked a DBSA chapter. They also welcomed a therapy dog into the support group. He is a valued attendee providing welcome emotional support—and entertainment—at their meetings.
Through these efforts they are helping to build more opportunities for support and leadership in the peer community, as well as providing valuable education in their local area. Keep up the great work, DBSA Princeton!
2014 Rookie Chapter Service Award
DBSA Shanghai Tulip Mental Health Center (China)
Although they only formed in April 2014, DBSA Shanghai Tulip Mental Health Center (China) has an impressive array of accomplishments in each of the four primary functions of DBSA chapters. As the first DBSA support group in China, they received overwhelming media report through fifteen TV, radio, print, and online outlets. Their public policy activities included submitting an opinion letter to include NGOs in governmental mental health projects, which was successfully adopted into law.
Through nineteen educational meetings, the chapter reached 522 participants and recruited fifty volunteers. They utilized crowdfunding to raise the rent money for their meeting space for a full year and the campaign also spread awareness and attracted twenty participants and volunteers.
They also distributed more than 800 brochures and trained more than 700 individuals about peer support group concepts. Within eight months they had established a second support group and were reaching out to support sister organizations in other cities starting peer support groups in their communities. We are impressed by their energy and velocity and can’t wait to hear about their future accomplishments!
2014 Outstanding Leadership Award
Diane Dworkin of DBSA Longmont Supporting Together (CO)
As main contact for the chapter, Diane provides understanding and support daily to numerous people in need, helping them connect with the support group and providing referrals to local therapists, temporary lodging, or other programs that might be helpful. Through her warmth and sincerity as a facilitator she provides a safe place where participants can receive support and rekindle hope. She also coordinates a variety of fun activities such as potlucks and holiday parties, which help participants benefit from a vibrant social life. Diane has inspired group members to follow suit and volunteer for the chapter.
Diane engages in education efforts and community outreach as well. She sets up a booth each week at the local farmers market to publicize the support group as a safe, non-judgmental network of friends and provides educational materials to passersby. She started a lending library for group participants, invited mental health professionals to speak, and shared updates on emerging research and practices in the treatment of mood disorders.
According to a participant, Diane is “compassionate, attentive, patient, and has a great sense of humor. She is a genuine, hard-working advocate for everyone in the support group and beyond.” Thank you, Diane, for your inspiring devotion to our mission.
2014 Outstanding Leadership Award
Annie Lauri of DBSA Madison (TN)
Annie has been a leader of DBSA Madison for three years and was integral in growing the chapter into one of the most active in Tennessee. Starting with an average group attendance of six people at a monthly meeting, the group now welcomes more than twenty participants at biweekly meetings thanks in large part to Annie’s efforts. In addition, she started a family and friends support group.
Annie developed the chapter website and spoke about DBSA in radio interviews and at local health fairs. Understanding the vulnerability many people feel at their first support group meeting, Annie created the role of hospitality ambassador to warmly welcome each person to the meeting and send handwritten notes inviting them to return. She coordinated a holiday party complete with elaborate food, door prizes, and a photo booth.
Beyond DBSA Madison, Annie is active with the state organization DBSA Tennessee as an inspiring speaker at nursing panels where she shares her journey to wellness and educates the students about peer support. She also helps other chapters in the state when they are having events. Annie acts as a mentor to new chapter leaders and assists chapters during leadership transitions. Annie gives from the heart, lives her compassion, and is a worthy recipient of this award.
2014 Outstanding Professional Advisor Award
Cheryl France, MD of DBSA West Virginia
Dr. France has been a part of DBSA West Virginia since its formation by serving as the professional advisor and as a member of the board of directors. She has not only provided her professional support but has also been a featured speaker at a variety of state meetings and conferences, spreading the word about DBSA to clients and colleagues. Dr. France is also instrumental in securing speakers for other events for DBSA West Virginia. Thank you for your exemplary service, Dr. France!
2014 Outstanding Professional Advisor Award
Lois Kroplick, DO of DBSA Rockland County
In her five years as professional advisor to DBSA Rockland County, Dr. Kroplick has actively promoted the group to her patients and to health care providers. She also participates in board meetings, speaks at events, and writes for the chapter newsletter.
According to Dr. Kroplick, “being involved in community groups and helping others have always been passions of mine. As a psychiatrist, my mission is twofold: to help people change their individual lives and to encourage them to work with others to help change their community.”
