DBSA Reaches Out to

Black Community

By Josh Nichols, DBSA Colorado Springs Board Member

 

  During the African-American Health Fair, held at the Hillside Community Center on February 9^th, DBSA Colorado Springs took advantage of another opportunity to connect with people and inform the public about mood disorders.  Board members Steve Bell, Betsy Pollard, Charles Sakai, Tracey Miles, Delia Busby and Josh Nichols shared their knowledge and experiences with visitors who had a mood disorder, knew someone with a mood disorder, or simply wanted to find out more about them.  They also distributed pamphlets, flyers, and copies of “The Initiative” newsletter.

 

  The health fair, sponsored by Memorial Hospital, was a great success on many levels including increased public relations for our chapter.  This great event represented the strength and power DBSA possesses when members of the organization volunteer that extra bit of time for the greater cause. Without the great help of the volunteers working the booth, we might have just been another table people breezed by. Instead, so many people stopped to learn about mood disorders and found out that there is excellent help available.

 

Panel of Professionals to Highlight “Faces of Recovery” 2008

By Larry and Marsha Ritterband

 

  On Saturday, May 3, DBSA Colorado Springs will present its annual Mental Health Month program, “Faces of Recovery.”  It is open to all, especially people with depression or bipolar disorder, or who know a friend or family member with the condition.

 

  This full afternoon program (12:30 to 4:00 p.m.) offers an opportunity to learn from a panel of professionals (two MDs, an RN, and a Priest) how they have dealt with their own depression or bipolar disorder, as well as how they confront it with their patients and parishioners.

 

  The keynote speaker is Dr. Jane Mountain, a retired family practice doctor with personal experience in dealing with bipolar disorder, both in herself and with a family member.  She is a nationally acclaimed speaker on recovery and is the author of two books.

 

  Both of Dr. Mountain’s books, Beyond Bipolar—7 Steps to Wellness and Bipolar Disorder:  Insights for Recovery, are available to borrowers at the DBSA Colorado Springs Resource Center, the largest free lending library on mood disorders in the region.  The Resource Center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

 

  The “Faces of Recovery” workshop will also offer exhibits and materials from a number of mental health organizations and providers.

 

  The workshop will be held at the Harvey House Auditorium at the University of the Rockies, 555 E. Pikes Peak Avenue (south of the intersection of Pikes Peak and Colorado Avenues).  There is plenty of free parking and easy access for all.

 

  There is no admission fee, and no reservations are required.  Just show up and listen, learn, and use what is offered.

 

  For additional information, please visit our Web site at www.DBSAColoradoSprings.org, or call (719) 477-1515.