Category Archives: National News

National Conference 20-22 May 2011

The National Conference will take place in Houston, Texas on May 20-22, 2011:

“DBSA offers a unique peer-centered conference for individuals living with depression or bipolar disorder, as well as for family members or health care providers looking for ways to best help their loved ones, patients, or clients by partnering with them on their path to recovery. The conference consists of compelling keynote presentations, educational workshops, and pre-conference institutes.”

Register by April 15, 2011 and receive a discount!

More information here.

DBSA National Convention

DBSA is proud to announce that our 2009 National Conference will be held September 10-13, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thursday, September 10 (Chapter Leadership Forum)
Friday, September 11, Morning (Pre-Conference Institutes)
Friday, September 11, Noon — Sunday, September 13, Noon (Conference)
Sunday, September 13, Afternoon (Post-Conference Institutes)

2009 DBSA National Conference

Reduced rates for DBSA Chapters/Support Groups!
We’re thrilled this year to offer special discount registration rates for our chapter & support group participants! Sign up before May 3, and for just $80, you can attend the FULL conference (Friday noon-Sunday noon).

And save an extra 10-20% with special package discounts when you sign up for pre-conference institutes along with the conference. To sign up, download a registration form from our conference website, www.DBSAlliance.org/Conference2009. And stay tuned for online registration…it’s coming soon!

PEER CONNECTIONSIndianapolis — Cultural & Cosmopolitan
Indianapolis is more than just a mecca for Indy 500 racing fans. Learn more about this vibrant city in our Hotel & Travel Center. As The Washington Post notes, the city has “10 world-class sports venues [but] that is just a fraction of its cultural institution tally: 14 museums, 21 galleries & 25 performing arts centers & theaters.”

And our conference will be just minutes away from these attractions at the beautiful downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel! We have reserved a block of rooms at a special rate for our conference attendees. For all the details on these rates—or to make room reservations online—visit our Hotel & Travel Center.

Growing Lineup of Renowned Speakers
DBSA and the chapters involved in the 2009 Conference Committee are in the process of selecting and/or finalizing our conference presenters…and we hope to have exciting news for you shortly! Currently confirmed are the following leading experts & advocates:

* Darby Penney (community integration advocate, author)
* David Granirer (stand-up comic, counselor, author)
* Victoria Maxwell (actress, playwright, educator, consultant)

Stay connected at www.DBSAlliance.org/Conference2009!

DBSA National Conference Approaches

Experience “The Power of Peers” this September 10-14, at the DBSA 2008 NATIONAL CONFERENCE in the charming waterfront city of Norfolk, Virginia. Join The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance for 5 days of peer-centered presentations and workshops led by renowned mental health experts and educators, best-selling authors and consumer advocates … including an unprecedented lineup of internationally-known keynote speakers: Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD; Pat Deegan, PhD; Richard Cohen; and Larry Fricks. 4 special pre-conference institutes set the tone for 15 educational workshops, 5 peer-to-peer roundtables and an exclusive Stand-Up Comedy Night featuring David Granirer and 8 conference students. Held at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, this powerful conference has something for everyone—consumers, family members, providers. Learn more or register at www.DBSAlliance.org/Conference2008

Independence Day Message

This week, many of us will be celebrating July 4, Independence Day, the birthday of America. Although, it has been an important holiday, many people don’t know why we actually celebrate this day. July 4th, 1776 is the day that the colonies decided to declare their independence from Great Britain. By writing a decree, the Declaration of Independence, they decided that they no longer wanted to be governed by the Kings of England that had been so very unjust for so many years.

The Declaration of Independence is more than a piece of paper. It is a symbol of our country’s independence and commitment to many important ideas and concerns. The “signers” of this document wanted us to have a document that identified what was really important to our leaders and citizens. They wanted us to reflect on the goals we should be working for and about the people who fought so hard to make these ideas possible. Remember, that the “signers” risked being hanged for treason. So every time we look at it, let’s think about the courage it took to stand up for what they knew was right independence!

The fourth of July is the perfect time for all of us to reflect on all of the important issues we are fighting for such as Mental Health Parity or help for new mothers with postpartum depression. Let’s also use this day to remember that soon we will also be able to show our independence on Tuesday, November 4, the day we vote for the President of the United States.