Depression

DBSA Online Support Group

Hosted By
Tim L.
Wednesday, Sep 25, 2024 | 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Free
Meeting Full
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About this meeting
The primary participants in this group are people diagnosed with a mood disorder and those who believe they may have a mood disorder.
Hosts

  • Host

    Tim L.

    Peer Supporter

    Certified Peer Supporter

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  • Co-host

    Claudia S.

    Peer Supporter

    State Certified Peer Supporter

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  • 2nd Co-host

    Madonna A.

    Peer Supporter

    Certified Peer Supporter

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About the host
I am an immigrant to the United States. I have worked as a fire fighter/first responder, and a US ARMY Infantryman, until a severe injury from a roadside bomb blast in Iraq. I've struggled with intravenous opiate addiction that led to lengthy jail sentence and I have attempted suicide several times. Once I decided to try and get well, I utilized the GI Bill to earn a Bachelors degree in Psychology emphasizing in substance abuse counseling, then became a certified peer specialist. I have worked for veteran non-profits, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, SMART recovery facilitation and several other wellness centers providing support to those who have struggled with similar afflictions. I've been doing peer support of some kind for 6 years and I know how much it helped me. I know what it is like to wake up every day feeling nothing but hopelessness and despair. Today I live in line with my values, and I am proud of the person I have become. It is an honor and a pleasure to support those who currently do not have hope in their lives.
Motivation for help
I believe my life was saved by a peer that worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs and since that time I have wanted to be that person for someone else. I believe that sharing similar life experiences helps relate individuals on a level that cannot be achieved in a clinical setting. Working in recovery and helping others gives me sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Being a peer keeps me living a life of wellness.
Recent reviews
Tim has created and facilitates a group that is a respectful and comfortable space to come together to read aloud and share our thoughts, feelings, and impressions about the material. The book can be understood on many levels and, for me, a whole bunch of things come up. I like the group because it provides an opportunity to reflect on Frankl's experiences and ideas together -- hearing what it brings up for others is really meaningful. This type of activity and inquiry is beneficial to my well-being and healing. I begin to feel and hear a different sort of call and response of my own experience -- and in a way that any pain, shame, regret et al that comes up for me - is tempered with the care of the group. I get to expand my thinking and what I'm thinking about. I'm grateful for all of this.
Sep 27, 2024
Really good group and discussion
Sep 27, 2024
Tim is one of my favorite group leaders. I don't know of any that I feel as comfortable with or as supported by. He's supportive of everyone and really listens. He's terrific.
Sep 26, 2024
Randi did a good job of keeping the conversation flowing. She allowed us to have silence when people weren’t ready to share in the moment. Shared her own personal experiences.
Sep 25, 2024
Lori was terrific, very friendly, helpful and insightful
Sep 25, 2024
Tim is always great so supportive and always makes time as best as he can for everyone to vent .
Sep 25, 2024
Tim is a wonderful facilitator. He's supportive and compassionate and listens very well to each of us. Terrific.
Sep 18, 2024
Claudia is kind and supportive. She is great!
Sep 18, 2024
Good energy, thoughtful, deep concern.. . superb facilitator. Excellent care of the participants, r.e. possibly triggering topics etc. An important part of someone participating in such a group -- and creates trust. That's a biggie - trust. I like hearing how his personal experiences relate to the content of the book. Using such a book to prompt discussion and bring back thoughts and feelings -- exercises my brain to consider my existence, my being, my past... what comes from suffering -- how to bear it with grace while not plateauing, learning to be compassionate about bad stuff I've done and regrets and self-hatred ... reading the book with others and listening to their comments and experiences lets air into the stuffy room of my mind. Hearing the responses and stories of others is fascinating and a wonderful connection. I am so glad that Tim has had the brilliant idea to have such a group. using books (and potentially other media) to prompt us/me to think of life and our own living in new lights -- very meaningful.
Sep 13, 2024
Registration Closed
Attendees (53)
Abugsmom2 JimmyC Melissa SmallRiot Athena Shawn Katelyn katyee8 myke_chapman Joe clairemzdunich Theresa JacquiY TaraZoe sammyanne PausingKieran ordudash Mspracklin MirandaS bhill1278 amanda9037 NTpatec Michelle Wander Nancy Rae aohm8203 orlando.stanley@aol.com Kboothyahoocom That Muggle Struggle eliot Renee Julia Breezy Vince Annaclairepcola Peter ellara elizamills09 Morecheeseplease Rachel Mabel Richard Renafaye togiyameko henry Mwolynski Jay Sarah from Seattle Missy dexter ashlieblom2 Anticip815 Sue
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance logo
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading peer-focused national organization focused on depression and bipolar disorder. DBSA's peer-based, wellness-oriented, and empowering services and resources are available when people need them, where they need them, and how they need to receive them. This includes online and local support groups, audio and video casts, and printed materials distributed by DBSA, our chapters, and mental health care facilities across America.

DBSA online support groups provide people living with depression and bipolar disorder a place to share experiences, discuss coping skills, and offer hope to one another. DBSA support groups are peer-led, meaning they are facilitated by someone living with a mood disorder who has been trained and certified to guide others on their journey.

DBSA online support group meetings are peer-based self-help groups. In the DBSA context, a peer is a person with a mood disorder. Another distinction of peer is that we are not professionals - physicians and other mental health providers. We are here to assist, encourage, and enable each other to help ourselves.

Please note that the schedule for DBSA support group meetings on HeyPeers has been updated for 2024. To see all available meetings through DBSA, or to find alternatives if you are waitlisted for a group, visit https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/chapters-and-support-groups/.

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