Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Hello everyone. Well I just wrote out an entire blog and it was inadvertently deleted, my bad. Let me try this again.

I'm spending this weekend with my wonderful girlfriend of 10 months. When I'm with her I have a sense of renewed energy. It cleansing. I know I'm with someone who accepts me for me, bipolar an all. That's wonderful.

I'd like to introduce you all to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, DBSA. I actively go to my local chapter's meetings, and the program also offers live online support groups to participate in if you can't make it to a physical group. The program is for everyone, those with an illness and those who care about someone with an illness. The group provides peer support. I reluctantly started going to the meetings while I was in court ordered foster care. The facility I stayed at was a 24hr facility where you could not have a car or leave the premises whenever you wanted. Any outings had to be approved by a case manager or doctor. Luckily, my case manager let me attend the local chapter with my parents. At first it was just an excuse to get out off of the property, but the longer I attend the more friends I made and the more useful the group became. In fact, a roommate of mine from a stint in the psych ward attends my meeting. It was a pleasant surprise to see her. We have picnics and party's too so it's not always business.

A meeting starts with introductions and usually an hour long presentation pertaining to depression or bipolar. You may have a guest speaker as well, such as a psychiatrist, counselor, nutritionist, etc. The second half of the meeting, which is also usually an hour we break into small groups. Here in these groups we take turns discussing our past week, any struggles we've been having, or you can ask for other's opinions. Often people will share experiences with different medications and doctors. None of us are licensed professionals, however we can still share valuable;e information amongst ourselves and make friends and find support in those darker hours. Below is a link to my DBSA ambassador page. Feel free to peruse the site and if you feel moved to, please donate to DBSA through the link on my page. Thank you and have a wonderful night!

DBSA Ambassador