Author: dbsawvorganization

       On October 19, 2024, DBSA WV attended the annual Out of Darkness Walk hosted by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. This year’s walk took place at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park in Morgantown, WV. Representing DBSA WV were Stacie Weaver, Executive Director; Carole Hoffman, Administrative Assistant; Lynne Vespoint, Board of Directors Secretary; Olivia Shuttleworth, Board of Directors Treasurer; as well as some wonderful volunteers who came out to help with DBSA WV’s table and show their support for a wonderful cause. DBSA WV gave out ink pens, stickers, pamphlets, flyers, and stress balls before the walk began. The Out of Darkness Walk not only helps raise funds for suicide prevention, but it also brings people together in the community. The day was filled with remembrance for those lost, comfort and support for those left behind, and hope for all. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out. You can also always call 988, the suicide prevention hotline. You are not alone. We’ve been there. We can help.

      Executive Director, Stacie Weaver, represented DBSA WV during Home Base Inc.’s Mental Health Conference that took place September 23^rd through the 25^th of 2024 in Wheeling, WV. Our tri-fold display on the table included various resources available through DBSA such as the Mood Crew pages available on DBSA National’s website (www.dbsalliance.org) for children. The table also included DBSA WV pamphlets, flyers, ink pens, and stress balls along with 988 Suicide Prevention items to give out to other attendees. The three-day conference was full of learning opportunities on various mental health topics, and we hope to attend more events hosted by Home Base Inc. in the future.

On September 20, 2024, DBSA WV attended the National Recovery Month CEU: Putting Together the Pieces of a Puzzle event hosted by Clarksburg’s VA Medical Center. It was a day full of expert led presentations, stories of recovery, ways to save a life through suicide prevention, and more. The event took place in Clarksburg, WV. We met many people who were interested in DBSA WV’s peer-led support groups. Unfortunately, we do not have an in-person group in or around the Clarksburg area currently, but we have the option for joining the virtual groups via Zoom. We hope to change this in the future and can find someone to facilitate a group in this area.

On Saturday August 3, 2024, DBSA WV’s Executive Director Stacie Weaver attended the Hike for Hope hosted by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The hike took place at Cooper’s Rock State Park in Bruceton, WV. The event wasn’t as big as in past years due to being rescheduled because of the weather. Before the hike AFSP held a remembrance ceremony and you could choose your own beaded necklaces. Each necklace was a different color to represent different meanings of who you were hiking for. Stacie handed out DBSA pamphlets, ink pens, stress balls, flyers and pamphlets containing suicide prevention information. Even though it started pouring down the rain during the hike, this event was a wonderful way for people to connect and bring awareness to resources trying to help prevent suicide. DBSA WV hopes they will host another Hike for Hope next year and we can be a part of it again.

Click the link below to register!

DBSA WV Conference 2024 Registration Form

DBSA WV was invited to attend the WV Wellness Festival located in Morgantown at the Hazel and J.W. Ruby Community Park on July 13, 2024. The festival was hosted by Forgiven Warrior and Sponsored by Dynamic Physical Therapy. There were many other organizations from the community in attendance also. DBSA WV had a display table set up where we gave out DBSA pamphlets, ink pens, and flyers, along with helping to spread the word about the free peer-led support groups we offer here in West Virginia. We were about to not only help get the word out about DBSA WV to the other organizations, but also learn of other resources in the community that are available. The WV Wellness Festival was a wonderful event and we here at DBSA WV look forward to attending more in the future.

DBSA WV co-sponsored the 3^rd annual Kickin’ it for Katy 5K race and 1.3 mile walk for suicide prevention awareness, along with raising money for the Kaitlynn Jade Forensics Memorial Scholarship Fund on Saturday April 27, 2024. The event took place on the campus of Fairmont State University. Representing DBSA WV were Board President Lynne Vespoint, Board Vice-President Olivia Shuttleworth, Executive Director Stacie Weaver, and Administrative Assistant Carole Hoffman. DBSA WV along with the other sponsors and organizations in attendance were located on the quad of FSU’s campus, where an after party to Stomp Out the Stigma was held. During the after party there was live music, free food, free drinks, several raffle items, and the announcement of the race winners. They also had a memory table where you could add a picture or story of a loved one you lost to addiction or suicide.

DBSA WV had donated pamphlets on Suicide in America and DBSA Support Groups to be added to the swag bags that were handed out to everyone who registered for the race/ walk. We also included the same pamphlets on our table along with the pamphlets Suicide in College Students and Depression in College Students. We gave out DBSA WV ink pens, 988 magnets, and stickers. Our display included information on DBSA WV and the “Mood Crew” which can be found on DBSA National’s website. We spoke with many people about DBSA WV and our support groups. There is interest in getting a group started at the college also. Kickin’ it for Katy/ Stomp Out the Stigma did a wonderful job on this event and they were able to exceed their goal for the scholarship fund. The scholarship will go to two students in memory of Katy.

---

DBSA WV’s Executive Director Stacie Weaver and Administrative Assistant Carole Hoffman were invited to attend a Mental Health Fair that was held on the Mileground in Morgantown, WV on April 20, 2024. We had a variety of DBSA pamphlets as well as pamphlets on other mood disorders to hand out to the public that stopped by. We also gave out DBSA WV ink pens, flyers, 988 magnets and stickers. We were able to speak with community members about the free support groups for adults provided by DBSA WV and available resources on DBSA National Headquarters website for teens and children.

The Mental Health Fair provided an opportunity for community members to stop in and learn about Mental Health services in the Morgantown, WV area. Many other organizations joined and gave out information about their services. They are hoping they can continue to hold a Mental Health Fair annually in Morgantown or surrounding areas. It gave DBSA WV the opportunity to make connections with other organizations who also want to provide support to fellow West Virginians.

On April 20, 2024, DBSA WV joined RDVIC for their event Walking with Survivors. Executive Director Stacie Weaver and Administrative Assistant Carole Hoffman represented DBSA WV during the event that took place at the Spruce Street Farmers Market in Morgantown. We had a table with a variety of pamphlets to hand out to those attending along with DBSA WV ink pens, DBSA WV flyers, 988 stickers and magnets. Many survivors and supporters joined in on the walk that went through downtown Morgantown. RDVIC provided music, food, and drinks for everyone during the event.

     Although we didn’t have a big display that day, due to fighting with the wind, we were able to speak with many people who were interested in attending a support group. Also, we had people sign up on DBSA WV’s contact list to receive more information and/or to stay connected with DBSA WV to hear about upcoming events and support groups. RDVIC had a great turn out for the walk and it is amazing to see community members joining together to show their support for one another.

A peer specialist is an individual with lived recovery experience who has been trained and certified to help their peers gain hope and move forward in their own recovery. As someone who has traveled a similar path, a peer specialist fosters hope and serves as a valuable role model for those who are walking the road to wellness. DBSA’s four-week course can give you the skills you need to become a certified peer specialist.

2024 Public Course Schedule

• Winter: February 5 to March 1, 2024
• Spring: April 1 to April 24, 2024
• Summer:
  • June 3 to June 28, 2024
  • August 5 to August 30, 2024
• Fall: October 7 to November 1, 2024

Course Components

Independent Learning Weeks 1, 2, and 4 (about 13 hours)
Assignments to be completed based on students’ individual schedules

Remote Group Learning Weeks 2 & 4 via Zoom
Calls for Weeks 2 & 4 are typically Tues and Thurs during CT afternoon hours

Third Week Virtual or In-Person Workshop is from Monday through Friday 
From 9 AM to 5 PM CST

Who Can Participate?

Individuals age 18 or older with personal lived experience in recovery from a mental health, trauma, or substance use condition who wish to use this experience to assist others. Those willing to publicly identify as a person in recovery.

Fees

• Veterans & Non-Veterans: $1,500 per Attendee
• Non-refundable processing fee required at the time of submitting the application: $75
• Eligible Veterans and family members can apply to use VHA Chapter 31 benefits to cover the expenses involved in receiving a certificate of course completion. We recommend you contact your local VHA facility to learn more.

Please Note:

• The registration and enrollment process is on a first-come, first-served basis, and in order we receive full course tuition payments.
• Upon acceptance into the program, the $75 processing fee will be applied toward the $1,500 tuition.
• If the accepted candidate cancels participation in the four-week training, they will forfeit the $75 fee.
• Registration fee includes course fee, all course materials, and testing.

Questions? View some frequently asked questions or contact Training@DBSAlliance.org or Lgoduco@DBSAlliance.org.

Apply now by clicking the link below: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/62847a9ca5844f0ca2ffbdd3cfb24c28