DBSA Tennessee: Your Support Helped DBSA Impact Two Million Lives

                                                DBSA TENNESSEE

                                                   731-215-7200

State officers and local chapter leaders:

Forwarded email below: Together let's feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in being a part of a vital organization that touches so many lives. Personally, I thank each of you for making a difference in thousands of lives in Tennessee. In 2014, I believe we will touch an even greater number of lives here at home and across our country!

Respectfully,

Steve Brannon, B.A., M.Ed., D.Div.

DBSA Tennessee

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance <webmaster@dbsalliance.org>
Date: November 11, 2013 at 10:00:13 AM CST
To: sbrannon@dbsatennessee.org
Subject: Your Support Helped DBSA Impact Two Million Lives
Reply-To: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance <webmaster@dbsalliance.org>

Tennessee, I'm pleased to share the many ways your gift to DBSA has positively impacted more than two million people as we: Recognize our past success in the DBSA 2012 Annual Impact Report Celebrate current DBSA programming and exciting new partnerships Envision a future in which individuals with mood disorders live in wellness, not illness DBSA 2012 Annual Impact Report 2012 was a pivotal year for DBSA. Not only did we build organizational strength, we improved and expanded our core programming and developed new offerings centered on our three strategic initiatives for 2012: Therapeutic Alliance—Highlighted by Concordance 2012, a dynamic discussion between clinicians and peers about changing the nature of collaborative care to reflect joint partnership Community Engagement—Demonstrated by the inaugural launch of the DBSA +6 Campaign, six months of positive actions to connect to your health and community Innovation—Represented by the launch of WeSearchTogether.org, an online portal that bridges the gap between people living with depression or bipolar disorder and the researchers whose discoveries can improve their lives and futures With your support, DBSA shared information, gave personal support, and provided life-saving tools and hope to more than two million people in 2012. Thank you! Read report and/or learn more about 2012 programs. DBSA 2013 Programs and Partnerships On October 16, DBSA announced exciting news: as of January 2014, The Balanced Mind Foundation (TBMF's) parent-, teen-, and family-focused programming will become part of DBSA's menu of programs and services. This new partnership mirrors the theme of the DBSA 2013 National Conference and much of DBSA's 2013 programming—that we are truly "Stronger Together" both as peers and as organizations with common goals. This focus on collaboration is further highlighted by our: Partnering with Families for Depression Awareness (FFDA) to launch CareForYourMind.org, an online forum for peers and family members to learn from, and share their opinions and experiences with, experts influencing mental health legislation, policy, and regulations Joining forces with the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) to bring the peer perspective to Washington D.C. during Hill Day 2013 Collaborating with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) on a groundbreaking full day of interactive joint programming during the DBSA 2013 National Conference and the 2013 International Conference on Bipolar Disorders Working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to train more than 540 Veteran peer specialists in 2013 Teaming up with the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) on Say It Forward 2013, an anti-stigma campaign focused on breaking the chains of stigma through education and awareness. With your support, we've opened new doors for peers and families to be heard and supported by government, the mental health system, clinicians, and each other. Thank You! View the DBSA and TBMF announcement video and/or read press release. DBSA in 2014 and Beyond One quiet, but significant, project of the DBSA Board and staff was the development of the DBSA 2013-2017 Strategic Plan, which reflects our new vision of wellness for people living with mood disorders. The plan also reflects a new set of values and establishes tactics to support three strategic directions for DBSA moving forward: Peer Focus Advocacy Organizational Effectiveness Personally, and on behalf of DBSA, I thank you for your support of our past accomplishments, our present success, and our future vision to help individuals living with mood disorders to thrive! I look forward to sharing more about 2014: The Year of Thriving soon! With sincere appreciation, Allen Doederlein President Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) 730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501 Toll-free: (800) 826-3632 Chicago, Illinois 60654-7225 Fax: (312) 642-7243

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Miss America and Depression

Miss America and depression

Veterans and the New Health Care Law

Week of October 21, 2013

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sent out a letter a few weeks ago to veterans explaining their options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new law will not change VA benefits. If a veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare, that coverage meets the standards for the ACA's insurance requirement. Most uninsured veterans are eligible for VA health care. However, not everyone who has served in uniform qualifies for VA health care such as Reserve or National Guard vets who served on active duty for training purposes only. Veterans who are not eligible for VA, and their families, could go to the Health Insurance Exchange. Another option, gaining Medicaid coverage, is limited in states that are not expanding the program. Here are some ways to enroll in VA care or determine your eligibility: (1) visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll; (2) call 1-877-222-VETS(8387); and (3) visit your local VA health care facility. For more information, visit VA, the Affordable Care Act and You webpage at www.va.gov/health/aca/.

For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the Military Advantage blog.

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Join the conversation! Your personal experience and ideas can help build a mental health care system that works.

 

 

     I tell my personal story at the link below . . .
http://careforyourmind.org/

Peacefulness,
Steve

| Join the conversation! Your personal experience and ideas can help build a mental health care system that works.

Hello,

I'm sending out a note to my friends to ask help in promoting National Depression Screening Day. It may mean the world to someone we love and care about. Thank you.

Peacefulness,
Steve
I tell my personal story at the link below . . .
http://careforyourmind.org/


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Depression Screening: How it works, why its necessary

How Can Mental Health Screening Help?

Screening for Mental Health

 

Do you think mental health screening can help address deficiencies in our nation's approach to diagnosing the treating mood disorders? Policymakers certainly think so: mental health screening is an essential component of several pieces of legislation, incorporating the finding that early detection of mental health conditions increases the likelihood of successful treatment.

 

Mental health screening is private and anonymous, cost-effective, quick, and accessible, and it provides information and encouragement for people to seek help early. This Thursday is National Depression Screening Day, so there's still time to rally your network to participate! Here, the nonprofit organizationScreening for Mental Health tells why screening is important and how it supports workplace mental health.

 

Why mental health matters in the workplace

 

It is estimated that about one-third of those with a mental illness are employed. And according to the National Institute on Mental Illness, nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce (28 million workers ages 18-54) will experience a mental or substance abuse disorder. Despite these significant statistics, 71 percent of workers with mental illnesses have never sought help from a medical or mental health specialist for their symptoms.

When left untreated, mental illness can be costly both to the individual and the workforce, even more so if an employee's depression is linked to substance abuse.

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A RAND Corporation study found that patients with depressive symptoms spend more days in bed than those with diabetes, arthritis, back problems, lung problems, or gastrointestinal disorders

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Depression accounts for close to $12 billion in lost workdays each year

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More than $11 billion in other costs accrue from decreased productivity due to symptoms thatcause problems with energy levels, concentration, memory, and decision making.

As we know, the good news for employers and employees is thatdepression is treatable. According to the World Health Organization, the vast majority (60-80 percent) of people withdepression will improve with proper diagnosis and treatment.

How screening helps workplace mental health

 

Early intervention and prevention programs can be integral inmanaging symptoms of mental illness and improving treatment outcomes. Anonymous online screenings are an effective way to reach employees who need help the most. A screening program can also work well for small organizations that lack official EAP services. Quality mental health programs for employees can reduce stigma, raise awareness, teach managers how to recognize symptoms and help organizations effectively assist depressed employees.

 

It is important to assess work environments for effective mental health policies and programs. From employee morale to the company's bottom line, mental health can affect all areas of the workplace. When the mental health of one employee is prioritized, the entire organization will benefit.

"Help Yourself, Help Others" to Get Screened on October 10

The nonprofit Screening for Mental Health offers National Depression Screening Day programs for the military, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and businesses. Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) raises awareness and screens people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. This year, NDSD is on Thursday, October 10.

NDSD is the nation's oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that provides referral information for treatment. Through the program, more than half a million people each year have been screened for depression since 1991.Anonymous online depression screenings are available for the public at www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org.

Your turn

When you had a concern about your (or a loved one's) mental health, have you used an online screening? How did it help?

Does your employer offer mental health screenings or other programs for a mentally healthy workplace?

For more information on participating in National Depression Screening Day please contact Michelle Holmberg at 781-239-0071 or by email. Information is also available at the Screening for Mental Health website and www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org.

 

Care for Your Mind has several posts about workplace mental health! Click on the "workplace" tag in the right-hand column.

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