
What we’re about
DBSA National Capital Area Chapter (DBSA NCA) has several group meetings in the area. See our website calendar for more specifics about time and place.
Our groups are being reformatted on Meetup, but are available always on our website calendar - you may join virtual or in person meetings if you are an adult with a mood disorder (some meetings are only for some who fit this description, such as women, or LGBTQIA+ community).
Meeting attendance is approximately 15-25 people including those who RSVP via Meetup and those who find us in others ways. If you use Meetup to join the group, please consider RSVPing. It help us track for engagement and helps new members see that the groups are active.
The peer support meetings begin with a brief welcome. A member reads the DBSA guidelines about confidentiality and tolerance.
Each person is invited to say something from their own experience. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Introductions include your first name, diagnosis, if comfortable sharing, and what is happening in your life or a topic you would like to discuss.
We limit share time to five minutes each, to avoid anyone dominating the discussion. After each share, participants may hear up to two minutes of positive feedback if they desire it. Everybody deserves a chance to be heard. The group may split into a discussion group(s) depending on size. We adjourn at approximately 8:30 PM. Overall, the meetings are friendly, upbeat, and life-affirming.
The peer support groups are for adults with depression and bipolar disorder. If you do not have either and accompany someone to the meeting for support we request that you wait elsewhere during the actual meeting.
Our chapter's website is dbsanca.org
For more information about the national DBSA organization, click on
www.dbsalliance.org
National DBSA Guidelines
• Share the air.
• One person speaks at a time.
• What is said here stays here.
• Differences of opinion are o.k.
• We are all equal.
• Use "I" language.
• It's o.k. not to share.
• It's everybody's responsibility to make the discussion groups a safe place to share.
To find our meetings - locations and links, go to our website at www.dbsanca.org
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