Author: dbsawvorganization

On Saturday, May 20, 2023, The Monongalia County Commission held a food drive at Mountaineer Mall in Morgantown, WV.  Recipients drove their vehicles to the rear of the mall where food was distributed, and a variety of other free items were available.  President Lynne Vespoint and Vice President Olivia Shuttleworth represented DBSA WV distributing DBSA pamphlets and DBSA WV pens to each driver while telling them about DBSA, including who we are and what we do.  Information was shared about DBSA Mountaineer, our group at the office that meets the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of the month at 2:00.  Many people expressed an interest in knowing more about our organization, plus the rain held off throughout the event.

The West Virginia Chapter of DBSA (DBSA WV) co-sponsored the WV NASW Conference that took place in Charleston, WV, May 3^rd through 5^th.  President Lynne Vespoint, Vice President Olivia Shuttleworth, and Peer Facilitator for DBSA Charleston, Joe Belcher represented our organization at the event.  Our theme was, ‘When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade.”  Our booth had mini lemon trees, mini lemon truck, lemon stickers on the tablecloth and vases of Lemonheads candy and lemon stress balls.  Over the course of the three-day event, we told social workers located throughout the state about our organization and resources available on National’s website.  We had a poster with colorful Mood Crew characters on display so that social workers would know that there are resources for every age on the website.  Every visitor at our booth received the DBSA Support Group brochure and a DBSA WV pen.  There is interest in starting three more support groups in our state.  We believe that this outreach project will be beneficial to the future of DBSA WV.

DBSA WV staff and volunteers participated in The American Society for Suicide Prevention Walk on October 8th.  Held at Krepps Park in Morgantown for the 5th year, the event provided an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and network. Pictured in the photos below from the event is Vance Soinski.

Welcome and thank you for helping peers improve their lives. Below you will find news and resources for Support Group Facilitators.

In 2022 PsychCentral ranked DBSA Support Groups “Best overall!”

Read the full article at Psych Central.

Training Information

Whether you are a new facilitator or an experienced one, raise your facilitation skills up to the next level by attending DBSA’s free, interactive Virtual Facilitator Training.  Taught by experienced support group facilitators, this 8-hour introductory training class includes 2 – 3 separate sessions featuring lecture, question and answer segments and mock facilitator practice.

Participants must attend all sessions of a particular class to receive a certificate of participation. Please note that these training sessions are intended for peers who are working with a DBSA chapter or DBSA support group.

Available Sessions, Dates and Times:

Class	Dates	Times
Intro Fac Training March	3/19 & 3/26	2pm – 6pm Eastern time
Intro Fac Training April	4/09 & 4/23	2pm – 6pm Eastern time
Facilitator Think Tank	4/14	8pm Eastern time
Intro Fac Training May	5/6 & 5/13	3pm – 7pm Eastern time
Facilitator Think Tank	5/12	8pm Eastern time
Facilitator Think Tank	6/9	8pm Eastern time
Intro Fac Training June	06/21, 06/23, 06/25	6-9pm Eastern time, Final class 6-8pm

To Register for any of the above sessions, please email Jill at jburgos@dbsalliance.org

Please include the following: your full name, your chapter name, email address and chapter president or support group coordinator’s name and email.

Please let us know how we are doing by taking part in the short survey below about your support group experience with DBSA West Virginia! We are hoping that your anonymous feedback will help us improve our service and help illustrate the importance of our volunteer run groups for people living with mood disorders.

https://s.surveyplanet.com/4ewa2gh2

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) WV is pleased to announce the opening of its statewide headquarters at Mountaineer Mall, 5000 Greenbag Road in Morgantown. 

Staff and volunteers will be available 11 am – 3 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.  Fully vaccinated community members are encouraged to stop by to learn more about DBSA WV free peer support groups (for people with mood disorders and the people who love them) and to pick up educational materials and wellness tools.

For more information, call (304) 241- 1862 or email dlkiss02@yahoo.com. 

https://www.wvnews.com/morgantownnews/news/depression-bipolar-support-alliance-wv-opens-new-state-headquarters-in-morgantown-west-virginia/article_2ad77c8c-aa98-11ec-b80a-27586f850d70.html

Whether you are a new facilitator or an experienced one, raise your facilitation skills up to the next level by attending DBSA’s free, interactive  Virtual Facilitator Training.  Taught by experienced support group facilitators, this 8-hour introductory training class includes 3 separate sessions featuring lecture, question and answer segments and mock facilitator practice.

Participants must attend all sessions of a particular class  to receive a certificate of participation.

Available Sessions, Dates and Times:

Session	Dates	Times
Intro Facilitator Training	1/21 & 1/28	3pm -7pm Eastern
Intro Facilitator Training	2/12 & 2/19	1pm – 5pm Eastern

To Register for any of the above sessions, please e-mail Jill at jburgos@dbsalliance.org

Please include your full name, your chapter name and e-mail address.

Ever feel the need to just “check-in” with others who understand living with depression and other mood disorders?  The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance understands and wants to offer you a new source of support and encouragement.

Beginning Monday, January 3rd, we will be offering weekday check-in calls at 10 am EST.  These calls are free and open to anyone who just wants to talk to and hear from others with similar concerns.  You may call every day or just when you need an extra bit of encouragement on your way to making healthy choices. 

Just dial into the free conference call at 602-580-9894, code# 6022958.

For more information, e-mail dlkiss02@yahoo.com or call 304-376-7438.

For more information on other services provided by the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, check out DBSA WV.

With COVID-19 still in full swing, human connection can feel elusive.

Sade Miller, a junior social work student, has recently organized a group to help those whose mood disorders may have worsened during COVID-19. Miller herself suffers from a mood disorder, and is the lead facilitator of the WVU Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

“We just talk; we introduce ourselves and what we personally go through, and then we just create conversation,” Miller said.

The goal of the WVU DBSA, one of more than 700 similar groups across the country, is to “improve the lives of people living with mood disorders.”

Read the full article here: https://www.thedaonline.com/culture/depression-and-bipolar-support-alliance-offers-assistance-to-wvu-students-in-need/article_e12c3e7a-ecba-11ea-b341-2bdefc4411d6.html

Source: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance offers assistance to WVU students in need

Racism is a direct and constant threat to the mental health of millions living in this country. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance views the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis as one in a long line of tragic events that call on us to find common ground. We cannot turn away from the fact that people of color, particularly African Americans, continue to live in fear of violence at the hands of the police. The mental health effects of constantly looking over one’s shoulder, concerned that you may be judged and suspected without cause, are profound.  This fear is part of a much broader reality that places all people of color at disproportionate risk for depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and more. As an organization concerned with the mental health of all Americans, we cannot and will not ignore this reality. We view the public outrage we are seeing nationwide in light of the psychological burden that racism represents. We applaud peaceful protests that will move us toward understanding, compassion, and justice while exposing the mental health effects that racism creates.    It is all too easy to blame one individual, one group, or one event for what is happening right now. Instead, DBSA is focused on decisive actions that will advance the long-term mental health of all citizens: We call on police departments across the nation to make urgent changes in policies, training, and accountability to prevent acts of injustice and brutality against any individual. We call for cultural changes within police departments that make it safe and acceptable for officers to obtain the mental health care they themselves need.  We call on Congress to fund the full $38.5 billion needed to provide our citizens with the community-based mental health care required in this time of unprecedented stress. We also ask Congress to provide direct federal funding for the expansion of virtual, peer-led support groups. There must be no obstacles for people who reach out to give and receive support. DBSA encourages all individuals facing extreme sadness, anger, anxiety, and loneliness to find the resources they need. Visit DBSAlliance.org to access online peer support groups, podcasts, and other direct resources that can be of immediate help to you and your family. Sincerely, Michael Pollock, CEO DBSA is celebrating 35 years of hope, help, education, and support for people living with mood disorders.