DBSA: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – I’m Here DBSA Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – I’m Here

What should you know about DBSA?

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) (formerly the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association or NDMDA) is the leading peer-directed non-profit national organization which helps people suffering from two most prevalent mental health conditions: depression and bipolar disorder. These mental conditions affect more than 21 million Americans, account for 90% of the nation’s suicides that are committed every year and cost $23 billion in lost workdays.

The DBSA offers the help by way of support groups not only the people with disorders but also their relatives and friends. Besides, they also provide education and advocacy about the diseases. The staff of the DBSA is relatively small and they operate with the guidance of a Scientific Advisory Board. Through more than 700 support groups DBSA reaches millions of people each year with their support, also online.

They do their best on sponsoring both online and face-to-face support groups. Studies show that these support groups really help their participants to accept the problem, start treating it correspondently and to get through the whole process together. And those who attended the first meeting were 6 times more likely to return and continue visiting. Member hospitalization decreased by 49% (from 82% to 33%).

DBSA do everything possible to ensure the wellness for the people who suffer from depression and bipolar disease. They provide hope, support, help and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders.

According to their official website they value four fundamental things:

• Community. It is essential in providing support for those who is desperate and feel hopeless. They will help you to gather the necessary knowledge about your mental disorder, you will have the opportunity to visit support groups where you will be able to share your mind with people who can relate and understand.
• Inspiration. Every accomplishment is celebrated together, including those of the many talented, successful individuals recognized by the public for their contributions to the world.
• Wisdom. The knowledge you will be able to get is received through research and experience of this organization. They provide a transformative understanding of the mental condition. You will learn everything about modern treatment, wellness practices and lived experience.
• Responsibility. DBSA promote various practices that help people to advance their well-being. As a peer, you will have an opportunity to choose your own way on the path to mental, emotional and physical well-being.

This non-profit organization is led by people who live with a mood disorder themselves. The DBSA is designed for the same people. It answers more than 3,000 calls every month on their toll-free information and referral line and receives over 21 million hits every year on their combined websites.

What is so unique about this organization?

The DBSA works with bipolar disorder and depression only. The majority of the stuff is people with these mood disorders.  All DBSA support groups are facilitated by peers. So you can be sure you’ll get first-hand information. If for some reason you can’t visit the DBSA, they provide interactive online resources. They inform people, support people and inspire people to live the life.

What is more, DBSA is nationally recognized for Peer Specialist training services, their mental health advocacy work, their expansive peer support network and as an expert on the subject of mood disorders.

They developed a strategic plan 2013–2017, reflecting their new vision on how to help people with mood disorders live the full lives. The plan also reflects a new set of values and establishes tactics to support three strategic directions for DBSA moving towards peer focus, advocacy, and organizational effectiveness.

Every month DBSA distributes nearly 20,000 free educational materials to anyone requesting information about mood disorders. Through these materials DBSA gets in touch with about five million people, exhibit materials and media activities. DBSA’s services and resources are available whenever and wherever people need them – in local support groups, online, in audio and video casts or in printed materials distributed by DBSA and mental health care facilities across America.

Visit their official web-site: http://www.dbsalliance.org/

Or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DBSAlliance/

References

1. http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dbsa_about_dbsa

2. http://www.dbsahouston.org/dbsa-mission-and-vision/

3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12860770

Additional:

4. https://ajdiffenderfer.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/bipolar-disorder-statistics/ Share the joy

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