Depression

MHA's DBSA is an independent affiliate of the National DBSA, which is the largest support organization in the nation devoted exclusively to mood disorders.  The support group is mediated by a MHA employee/volunteer and run by the peers and their families.  MHA offers two support groups to meet the needs of our community.

Daily Struggle  -- A weekly peer-to-peer support group for those who have depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety, which often overlaps with depression and may be a recent diagnosis of symptoms exhibited from childhood or may have been triggered by life changes and stress.   The group is facilitated by one of our staff.  This is a place to find support and encouragement from others dealing with similar struggles.  It is a way for people who are living with these conditions to easily come together, share, support each other and learn about what they can do to improve the quality of their lives.

The purpose is to help accelerate the full recovery of people who are living with depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety by providing self-help education and peer support that enhances the care of licensed healthcare practitioners. This is not a therapy group and does not replace licensed healthcare support.

• Daily Struggle meets every Tuesday, 6 - 7 pm at the MHA office, 1944 Central Parkway SW. Email [email protected] for more information.

Surviving & Learning through Depression -- A monthly peer-to-peer support group for those who have depression or bipolar disorder.  The group is facilitated by MHA volunteer, Sue Brantley.  This group shares a lifetime of living with diagnosis, medication management and learning to cope with depression along their journey.   The purpose is to provide self-help education and peer support that enhances the care of licensed healthcare practitioners. This is not a therapy group and does not replace licensed healthcare support.

• Surviving & Learning for updating meeting dates and locations email [email protected]

Some meetings are for discussion and sharing, and others are educational with a speaker on a particular topic. The support is free and open to adults. A family member or friend may come with them. This is a support group not a therapy group. It is not led by a licensed mental health professional and does not replace professional treatment from a psychiatrist or therapist.

For more information, call 256-353-1160 or email [email protected]

 

DBSA Support Group Guidelines

• Share the air.
• Everyone who wishes to share has an opportunity to do so. No one person should monopolize group time.
• One person speaks at a time.
• Each person should be allowed to speak free from interruption and side conversations.
• What is said here stays here. This is the essential principle of confidentiality and MUST be respected by all.
• Differences of opinion are o.k.
• We are ALL entitled to our own point of view.
• We are all equal.
• Accept cultural, linguistic, social and racial differences and promote their acceptance.
• Use “I” language.
• Because we do not participate in support groups as credentialed professionals, we do not INSTRUCT or ADVISE. We, however, do share from our own personal experiences. We are unique individuals, and only we know what is best for our own health (along with our doctor’s recommendations).
• It’s o.k. not to share.
• People do not have to share if they do not wish to.
• It’s everyone’s responsibility to make the discussion group a safe place to share.

We respect confidentiality, treat each other with respect and kindness, and show compassion. From: www. DBSAlliance.org 1-800-826-3632