Lighting the Way for Wellness: Education. Community. Action.
Published May 17, 2023, 7:20 a.m. by Liam Bradley
It’s time to light the way for wellness education and community action! DBSAlliance.org is leading the charge with a wide range of programs, resources, and partnerships that are making a difference in the lives of people affected by depression and bipolar disorder.
Through our work, we’re shining a light on the importance of wellness education and community action. Here’s a look at some of the ways we’re making an impact:
We’re partnering with schools and universities to promote wellness education and prevention programs.
We’re working with businesses to create workplace policies and programs that support employees with mental health conditions.
We’re teaming up with faith-based organizations to break down the stigma around mental illness and promote healing and recovery.
We’re collaborating with law enforcement agencies to improve responses to people in crisis and connect them with treatment and support services.
And we’re supporting individuals and families affected by mental illness with information, resources, and referrals to services.
This is just a snapshot of the work we’re doing to promote wellness education and community action. We know that when we work together, we can make a real difference in the lives of people affected by mental illness.
Join us in lighting the way for wellness education and community action!
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In 2021, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reached more than 2 million people
with free educational materials support groups, and tools to support them on their journey to
wellness. Today I want to tell you about one person's personal story of finding mental health
wellness through DBSA when Vanessa Harris found the depression and bipolar support alliance she
told us her heart exploded with joy and relief. Vanessa, a Chicago resident, said that in 38 years
of living with bipolar disorder not once was she able to find a Black therapist. That's why she was
overjoyed when she found DBSA support groups created four members of the black community
who live with mood disorders. After attending several meetings Vanessa said her support group
feels like a second family and she adds that quote "I know that I have a group of people
who have had experiences similar to mine that I can lean on people who understand where I'm coming
from and can help me get to where I want to be. For thousands of people around the United States,
the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is lighting the way for wellness
through our unique approach which centers on the experiences of people living with mood disorders.
We empower countless people each year to get where they want to be a place of stability
community connection and wellness. In 2021, more than 17,000 people downloaded the
Wellness Wheel and the Wellness Tracker the newest additions to DBSA's wellness toolbox.
More than 3,600 parents and caregivers downloaded Mood Crew activities designed to help children
understand and process their emotions. Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic,
our community is stronger and more connected than ever before. Our 111 chapters and 400 support
groups helped more than 320,000 people on their journey to mental health wellness in 2021. We
transitioned our online community for parents and caregivers to a new platform to allow for
more interaction and enhanced support for those caring for children who live with mood disorders
we also took action alongside a coalition of mental health advocates in response to
the mounting mental health crisis in the United States. In congress working with other advocacy
partners, we saw the introduction of three sets of bills critical to the expansion of peer support.
They addressed Medicare reimbursement for peer support services, the expansion of veteran support
services in the health care system, and funding for virtual peer support services as we transition
from this public health emergency DBSA is also working to address a wide range of other issues
including mental health parity the implementation of the new 988 crisis line and expansion of
crisis support services and the continuation of mental telehealth services. We also amplified
the voices of people living with mood disorders through peer councils and research stakeholder
committees where thousands of researchers and policymakers learned from the peer perspective
we accomplished so much thanks to the support of so many we are grateful to those of you who
volunteered your time your talents and your resources and now we're asking all of you to
join the movement for mental health. Take action with us by donating your time or your financial
resources to DBSA you light the way for wellness for people like Vanessa and all people living with
depression or bipolar disorder by providing them with hope help support and education.
