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

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.

From DBSA National:

We are delighted to announce that the Senate and the House negotiators have reached a historic agreement on the Mental Health Parity compromise bill. Since early March, when the Senate passed its own version of the bill, S. 558, the House and Senate have been engaged in intense negotiations to reconcile differences between the two bills. (The House bill, H.R. 1424 – passed in early March).

Now the bill must go for one more, final vote in both chambers and then goes to the President for his signature.

You are all amazing! For many years, you have hung in there for the long haul – the mark of a true advocate. Now we need to rally once more so that the bill is passed quickly in the House and Senate.

Although there is great optimism on the Hill, that passage will occur soon. Let’s not leave anything to chance. Please send a letter to your legislators in both the House and Senate asking them to pass the compromise bill NOW.