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When It Comes To Mental Health Issues, No One Is Immune

Chicago Defender (IL) - 6/29/2015

The truth is that every month is ruled by mental health - or the lack thereof. No one is immune and that's a shock to many. Every person is vulnerable to all kinds of diseases. Diabetes runs rampant. Cholesterol numbers climb. Cancer is discussed almost daily with great empathy and sympathy. Stress results in many health issues, we are told. Take care of yourself and prevent illness, we are told. However, mental illness is still in the closet! The stigma is huge. Many people and their family members are in denial. This is especially true in almost all ethnic cultures. DBSA (which stands for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) has many support groups for consumers, their family, veterans, and friends. Many have difficulty accepting their own diagnosis and often family members do not help them cope with that reality because it is just not "acceptable" in their culture. Terminology has changed over the years. Depression pretty much has remained as such, but manic depression has morphed into bipolar disorder.

The DBSA-Creater Chicago (DBSA-CC) chapter has expanded to many areas. What started as a grassroots support meeting by a couple of ladies in 1978 has grown to become a huge national and international force. Originally named DM DA (Depression Manic Depression Association), DBSA-CC has grown from one monthly meeting to 20 peer-to-peer support groups across Chicagoland. Our latest location meets at St. Benedict the African (East) Church on the south side. In certain communities, residents appear to be reluctant to attend because they do not want to be stigmatized by "being seen" attending a meeting. The irony is that if they are "seen" it would only be among people who are also affected by mood disorders! All meetings are confidential like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Each meeting is typically one and one half hours depending on the attendance that day.

Our other locations include Devon Bank in Rogers Park, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Evanston Hospital, Palatine Public Library, Berwyn Library, and Brookfield Village Hall. With social services being cut to the bone, DBSA-CC offers FREE support because it is an all-volunteer organization. We publish The Spectrum bi-monthly and memberships are reasonable. Our annual Symposium in May is presented by leading mental health experts and CEUs are available to practitioners. Funding from these sources and donations allow us to cover our expenses. (Membership is not a requirement to attend the Symposium).

Support groups are many times the only lifeline available on a consistent, reliable basis. Family members are especially welcome because they need support as much, if not more, than the person with the actual illness. Being the advocate and, in a sense, the caregiver of someone who is not compliant or in recovery is difficult. The best approach is to get the support you need when it's needed most. For more information, visit the DBSA-CC website at http://www.dbsa-gc.org or call 773-465-3280. For online support, assessments, and the latest research, visit our national site at http://www.dbsalliance. org. Also connect with us online on Facebook, Twitter, our LinkedIn group or Meetup.com.

By Judith Sturm, President-Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance