CONTACTMailing Address:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance National Capital Area Chapter P.O. Box 341191 Bethesda, MD 20827-1191 Phone: 240-780-8706* Email: Chapter President: Alvin [email protected] Chapter Webmaster: Stephanie [email protected] *The best way to reach us is through the contact form on this page. Our voicemail line is run by volunteers and is NOT a crisis line. Feel free to text us at this number for a more prompt response. Please read through our Frequently Asked Questions to see if your question is addressed. We appreciate your reaching out to us. We recognize that we often benefit as much by supporting others as we do by receiving support. -DBSA NCA Sharing Guidelines |
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is DBSA NCA?
We are a local chapter to the Washington DC area of an organization that connects peers who experience mood disorders in meetings. We are peers - people who also experience mood disorders. We are not doctors, psychiatrists, or therapists. Are the meetings free? Do I have to pre-register?
Meetings are free to all who experience mood disorders. You do not have to be local to join one of our virtual meetings. You do not have to pre-register to join. How do I access meetings?
We have utilized Google Calendar to host all our meeting information. On our Support Groups & Events page, on the right on desktop or below the meeting list on mobile, you can find this calendar. To access a specific meeting, click on the event title. This should show you meeting location or link, and specific directions you may need to follow for in person meetings. Do you know a good therapist/psychiatrist/doctor/program?
Subjects of doctors, and medications, often come up in our meetings. We are not healthcare professionals, and as such do not recommend specific doctors. However, you may be able to find a doctor with the resources on our General Resources or Local Resources pages. Who do I contact if I am in crisis?
Our chapter is not a crisis organization, and calls to our dedicated voicemail line will be responded to in roughly 24 hours. If you need more timely help, there are several options open to you, including DBSA National's Crisis Page. If you are having thoughts of death or suicide, call 988 or text DBSA to 741-741. If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Do you have a group for family, friends, spouses, children under 18, and/or loved ones of a person experiencing mood disorders?
Our Washington DC chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance does not have any such groups. However, some of these groups can be found at the National level: Cultural and Identity Support Groups |