As the Recruitment Coordinator for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), I am interested in connecting with the appropriate mental health professionals in prison facilities. DBSA has been making connections throughout the country to try to start peer lead support groups in prison facilities, and has had a great response thus far. I would love to hear any of your thoughts about how to continue this project to provide more support for inmates who are living with mood disorders. Currently the first DBSA group in an incarceration facility has been very successful. Providing a common connection between inmates, while learning about living successfully with depression or bipolar, has shown great levels of progress for these consumers.
Also, I am interested in partnering DBSA with recent residents who are working on their discharge recovery plan. These support groups are meant to provide a comfortable, judgment free, understanding environment, where people can connect and relate about similar experiences, as well as share in positive ways to deal with the obstacles that can arise. DBSA also works with specific groups on Peer Specialist training, a very intensive training that would allow one on one support between peers.
Any and all feedback, thoughts, or interest would be much appreciated. Please respond to this thread, or contact me at startup@dbsalliance.org. Also, please check out the DBSA website for more information at www.dbsalliance.org.
Thank You,
Mary Mischka Dean
Recruitment Coordinator
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance