Steve Brannon becomes State Director, DBSA Tennessee

A news release:  On Saturday, June 2, 2012, Steve L. Brannon was installed as the State Director of DBSA Tennessee (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) in Nashville. Presidents and officers of its 12 local chapters from across Tennessee were invited to the special meeting.  The founding State Director of DBSA Tennessee, Gary Miles, recently retired from the directorship.  Brannon served as Assistant State Director for the past 6 years and was unanimously elected as the new State Director.

On the national level, DBSA Tennessee is a unique chapter.  For it is one of only 15 states to develop its organization to create a state level chapter within Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, national, based in Chicago, IL.  State chapters offer a specialized type of service to the local chapters for growth and development and provide a vital relationship and degree of communication with the national office.  Tennessee’s 12 local DBSA chapters provide one, and some two, support/education group meetings each week.  The DBSA Tennessee state office estimates that their local meetings attract an annual attendance of approximately 8,000 attendees.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with approximately 450 local chapters, nationally, that provide nearly 1000 support groups for people suffering with depression and bipolar disorder, their family and friends.  The meetings have an embracing atmosphere, where each participant can get information about their illness, and learn how to get help. Additionally, with its outreach efforts, DBSA sponsors online and "face to face" support groups. DBSA's scope includes outreach, education and advocacy regarding depression and bipolar disorder. Its national office employs professional and volunteer staff and operates with the guidance of a Scientific Advisory Board.

The national operation answers more than 3,000 calls per month on their toll-free information and referral line and receives over 21 million hits per year on their combined websites. Each month, DBSA distributes nearly 20,000 educational materials free of charge to anyone requesting information about mood disorders. DBSA reaches nearly five million people throughout the country with their educational materials and programs, exhibit materials, and media activities.