Affiliate of
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance

mailPO Box 341191, Bethesda, MD 20827-1191
phone301.279.0831 or 202.689.1250
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If you are in crisis or at risk:
Please call the national
Suicide Prevention LIfeline 800.273.8255 or visit
Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Crisis Link is a local support hotline in Virginia that also supports the metro area 703.527.4077 

Support Group

DBSA NCA invites you to come share your story and listen to others at our weekly patient peer run support group. Participants include individuals from Virginia, Maryland and the District.

This group is for patients only.

Meetings are held every Thursday at George Washington Univ. Hospital . We meet on the sixth floor of the hospital, in room 6108 or next door in 6111. (For full details and directions, click here ). Speaker Programs held occasional Thursdays.

If you are a family member or loved one of someone with a mood disorder and are in need of support, please visit our sister site, DBSANCA-family.org for information and meeting times or our national organization DBSA. 

For Youth/Teen DBSA support group information, visit DBSA NOVA FOR TEENS.

To download list of other DBSA support groups in the DC, MD, VA metro area (PDF Format) please  click here.

SUPPORT GROUP GUIDELINES


TIME GUIDELINES

THURSDAYS;

6:30pm – 7:00pm – Social Group 

7:00pm – 7:10pm – Large Support Group Check-In  and Announcements 

7:10pm – 7:15pm – Split into Small Support Groups 

7:15pm – 7:55pm – Small Support Groups Part I (Anyone arriving after 7:45pm, may visit the cafeteria for coffee or a snack and return at Break to enter group.) 

7:55pm – 8:00pm – Break (Latecomers may now enter one of the Small Support Groups) 

8:00pm – 8:45pm – Small Support Groups Part II 

 


SHARING GUIDELINES
  • PEER SUPPORT: 
    We are a peer support group for adults with depression and bipolar disorder. Youth with depression and bipolar disorder may attend the teen support groups listed on the website. ** Our family and friends may attend the Loved Ones Support Group listed on the website. ***

  • SHARE THE AIR:
    We want everyone to have the opportunity to share. Time is limited, so we ask that everyone be respectful of other participants' share-time needs. The facilitator may sometimes need to respectfully and gently interrupt participants to put closure on their share, to ensure there is enough time for everyone to share.

  • GIVE BACK:
    We recognize that we often benefit as much by supporting others, as we do by receiving support.

  • ONE PERSON SHARES AT A TIME: 
    Each person will be allowed to share without interruptions or side conversations.

  • WHAT IS SAID HERE STAYS HERE:
    This is the essential principle of confidentiality and must be respected by all.

  • DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ARE OK: 
    We are all entitled to our own point of view; and we can agree to disagree.

  • WE ARE ALL EQUAL:
    Accept cultural, language, social and racial differences and promote their acceptance.

  • USE “I” STATEMENTS:
    Because we do not participate in support groups as credentialed professionals, we do not instruct or advise. Please refrain from making “You Should” statements. We are unique individuals, and only we know what is best for our own health (along with our doctor’s and therapist’s recommendations). We share from our own personal experiences with “I” statements. Example: “In my experience, I have found…” “I feel hurt when you say…”

  • IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE: 
    Participants do not have to share if they do not wish to.

  • It’s everyone’s responsibility to make the discussion groups a safe place to share: 
    We respect confidentiality, treat each other with respect and kindness and show compassion.





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Meeting Details And Directions

George Washington University Hospital, sixth floor, room 6108 or 6111.
(Located next to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station)
900 23rd Street, NW, Washington DC
Parking Garage: 22nd + I (Eye) Street NW

The group meets every Thursday from 7:00pm-9pm.

Join the informal meet + greet from 6:30pm-7:00pm.

Note* There has been a change in our room number for 2008, please call for details.

Metro Area 301.279.0831 or 202.689.1250 or email hello@dbsanca.org.

If you have a comment or concern about the support group, please email comment@dbsanca.org.

 


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