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SUPPORT AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES

  • Support Services Disclaimer
  • Support Groups

    There are a growing number of mutual-help groups for persons with an affective disorder and/or family members. of mutual-help groups for persons with an affective disorder and/or family members. These groups provide a supportive environment for sharing experiences and solutions to problems common among people living with these illnesses.

    Additional benefits of support group participation include:

  • A feeling of connectedness with others who are sharing similar experiences.
  • Provides an outlet to discuss and share personal experiences in a friendly environment.
  • Developing fulfilling relationships with others who are trying to cope with these illnesses.
  • For over ten years, DRADA has provided training for group leaders of mutual help groups (persons with affective disorders and/or their families). DRADA also provides consultation and periodic seminars for support group leaders who have gone through the training program. Currently DRADA lists more than 75 support groups in the Baltimore-Washington area, whose leaders have participated in the group leader training.

    FINDING A SUPPORT GROUP
    DRADA has a list of more than 75 DRADA support groups, whose leaders have taken the DRADA leadership training course. Some of these groups are for persons with the illness and some are for family members. The majority of these are in the Baltimore-Washington area or in the nearby areas of Delaware, Virginia or Pennsylvania.

    If you would like information about support groups listed by DRADA within the geographic area of Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC., Delaware or southeastern Pennsylvania:

  • Call 703-610-9026.
  • Email us at info@drada.org
  • For the location of other support groups throughout the country we suggest you look at the listings of chapters and support groups on the web page of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) at http://www.dbsalliance.org.

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    Peer Support

    DRADA's Peer Support Program provides an opportunity for people to communicate one-to-one with someone who also is affected by a mood disorder. Sharing your experiences with someone who has had similar experiences can be a big help and an important adjunct to treatment. This program is designed to help people who have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder, as well as family members of people with these illnesses. This is a service for people who cannot attend support group meetings, or who want additional support. Matches are made by geographical area, illness, personal interests, and by criteria specified by the individuals, such as age or gender. Program participants determine the frequency and type of contact (telephone, email, written correspondence, etc.).

    This program strives to:

  • Lessen the feelings of isolation and stigma.
  • Help others learn how to cope with the illness and treatment.
  • Provide a means to share emotions, experiences, and solutions to problems.
  • For more information call DRADA at 703-610-9026.

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    Leader Training

    DRADA offers a one-day program for individuals interested in leading or developing support groups. Participants receive a copy of the 88 page, The Manual for Affective Disorder Support Groups, published by DRADA, which contains information about organizing, developing, and maintaining an effective group. The program provides information on how to develop and maintain a group, be an effective leader, use technical skills to make a group successful, manage challenging behavior in a group and deal with obstacles that inhibit a group's success.

    After completing the training individuals will be able to:

  • Facilitate group discussion.
  • Understand and appreciate group dynamics.
  • Use the tools learned to lead mutual help support groups of all kinds.
  • The program is currently held every other month in Baltimore, Maryland and Northern Virginia, on a Saturday or Sunday from 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and classes are usually filled to capacity. Registration includes the training, related materials, the 88-page manual, and a deli lunch. The training manual is also available for purchase separately. Advance registration is required.

    The training is conducted by the Support Group Director, Wendy Miller Resnick. Ms. Resnick, a clinical specialist in psychiatric nursing, has a master's degree with a specialty in group dynamics and group leadership. She has 20 years of experience in working with groups and in training both professionals and lay persons to develop and maintain effective groups.

    If you would like more information about the training program:

  • To determine space availability and details of the program, call 703-610-9026.
  • After determining availability, you can register by sending a check or money order to DRADA, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102.
  • The training manual is sent to those participating in the training session. To purchase the manual separately click here to go to the order page.
  • Contact DRADA at 703-610-902 for information on the next training group program.

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    Outreach

    Community Outreach Speakers Bureau
    DRADA has a variety of speakers, including professionals from local hospitals, DRADA staff, and volunteers, who are willing to go into the community and speak about mood disorders and the services DRADA can offer individuals and the community at large. Our speakers are eager to support DRADA and help to eliminate the stigma attached to depression and bipolar illness. The program's team visits community centers, churches, synagogues, schools, etc. to:

  • Increase awareness of mood disorders in the communities.
  • Educate people about different resources that can help people cope with these illnesses.
  • Decrease stigma associated with depression and bipolar disorder.
  • Increase overall understanding of these disorders and resources DRADA can provide.
  • For more information on community outreach, call 703-610-9026.

    Hospital Networking
    DRADA's Hospital Networking Program joins the efforts of DRADA staff, volunteers, hospitals, and patients. DRADA volunteers go into the hospitals to speak to patients about their own situations and how DRADA and other organizations helped them cope with their illness. In addition, DRADA staff visits hospitals and other mental health organizations to speak about DRADA and our programs.

    This program helps to:

  • Connect patients in the hospital to a supportive community prior to their release from the hospital.
  • Increase patients' awareness of the option they have for additional support when settling back into life at home.
  • Raise hospital staffs' awareness of DRADA and our program so they may recommend our services to patients in need.
  • For more information contact DRADA.

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    Support Services Disclaimer

    By agreeing to participate in any of DRADA's Support Services Programs, including Support Groups and Peer Support, you agree to hold harmless DRADA and its officers, directors, employees, and volunteers from all claims arising out of or related to your access or use of, or your inability to access or use, any of the DRADA Support Services Programs. You also agree that DRADA or the contributors of information to this program shall NOT be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken by you in reliance on information provided by this program for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

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