Depression and Bipolar
Support Alliance Succasunna
Accomplishments of
DBSA Succasunna
The Mission of DBSA Succasunna, located in Morris County NJ, is to provide Hope, Support and Education to those persons affected, including but not limited to consumers/patients, family members, and friends, by Depression and/or Bipolar Disorder in Succasunna and surrounding communities. The following is a list of how DBSA Succasunna (i.e. Group) has been active in providing to the community since the groups inception in 2003.
2007 - Current
DBSA Succasunna was chosen to receive DBSA's Chapter Service of the Year Award recognizing all that the group did in 2007 to help improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. This is the second time the group has received this award since its inception in 2003. Thank you DBSA for recognizing our hard work.
Since September 2003, the Group has hosted and continues to host rap/support group meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm. Please click here to find out more about our Rap/Support Groups.
Monthly daytime support Group meetings were held from September 2006 thru September 2007. (NOTE: Although the daytime support group is no longer held, the Group remains open to hosting it again be sufficient interest, etc.)
Beginning in Fall 2006 and still continuing, monthly educational lectures with various speakers and topics have been held. Lectures are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:15 pm. Click here to be directed to the Educational tab for a schedule of upcoming speakers.
The Group hosted a large-scale community educational event with author, Andy Behrman as the keynote speaker on September 30, 2007. Various community agencies had information tables set up. The event drew approximately 100 attendees. In addition to the hosting of the event, the Board members wrote and received their first grant from Eli Lilly (a pharmaceutical company) which was applied toward the event.
The Group received multiple copies of various types of free literature, thus making it possible for all attendees to obtain free literature. Literature was provided from agencies such as DBSA, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Association for Research of Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD). Such sources of information have also been incorporated into the Group’s extensive Lending Library (includes educational audio and video tapes and DVDs. Books may be added to the library in the future). Click here to find out more about the group's lending library.
The Group has maintained a volunteer-run Sunshine Club where group member's birthdays are recognized at no cost to them.
Throughout summer 2007, 5 Speaker Bureau presentations about DBSA and DBSA Succasunna were provided to consumers and professionals of local agencies in the community including DAWN, Capitol Care, Intensive Family Support Services of Sussex County, and the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Clare’s Hospital. The goal was to form partnerships with the at-large community. DBSA Succasunna continues to be available for speaking engagements.
Since 2003, the Group has participated in several outreach efforts in the community, including various press releases to 10+ local newspapers, a Public Service Announcement run through WMTR, a local radio station, mailings of multiple letters/pamphlets, schedules with speakers and business cards circulated to 200+ professionals, temples, churches and the Group’s membership database.
During summer 2007, group members hosted information tables at 3 local grocery stores (Acme in Randolph, Shop Rite in Netcong, and Shop Rite in Succasunna) primarily as a community outreach activity and fund raiser for DBSA Succasunna; the events raised over $700, with all monies directed towards helping people with mood disorders. “Smiley” face toys were also provided with the goal to “help someone smile again.” All loose change collected at the grocery stores comprised an annual donation made to DBSA's "Change of Change" campaign. Thank you to the above named grocery stores for allowing us to be outside their store and to all persons who made donations.
From October - November 2007, group members sold almost 100 tickets for the Simon Evening of Giving Event at Rockaway Townsquare Mall, NJ, held November 18, 2007. DBSA Succasunna made an approximate profit of $700.
The Group purchased 130 red pens with happy faces that said the Group’s name and the phrase “Helping People Smile Again”. Pens were sold for $1 each, with a small profit from each sale going toward the Group’s fund.
A Group member trained and brought back to DBSA Succasunna the Pathways to Recovery curriculum. In December 2007, 3 people graduated from the “8 lesson” course. For more information about the program, Click here to find out more about the program.
Group members took part in DBSA initiatives as well as other forms of leadership training, such as a facilitator training held in Philadelphia, PA, and the DBSA Annual Chapter Leadership Forum & Conference held in Orlando, FL. DBSA Succasunna also donated $56 to the 2007 DBSA Conference “Change for Change” Campaign.
Over the past three years, the Group has hosted information tables at Dover Diversity Day, an annual community festival highlighting the varied nature of the community. The Group has also hosted an information table at Roxbury’s Parents of Exceptional Children (PEC) Annual Buddy Walk in Fall 2006. At these events, Group volunteers distributed literature on mental illness and conversed with various individuals to increase the public’s understanding of mental health issues and decrease the stigma associated therewith.
Since 2006, the Group has conducted surveys of group members in order to determine how best to meet the needs of its constituency. Once data was/is received, the Board of Trustees works diligently to best meet the needs of the group.
Beginning in 2006, the Board of Trustees has published a brochure and flyer/calendar noting the meeting schedule. A group member created the Group’s insignia - a picture of a lighthouse and the wording Lighting the Way – Providing Hope, Support, and Education.
The Group developed a website (updated for 2008). The Group’s goal is to provide information about group activities to consumers, family members, and health care professionals as well as provide links and references to additional resources.
2006
In Fall/Winter 2006, the Group hosted “Living Successfully with a Mood Disorder curriculum”. 10 people took part in this class which included consumers/patients and family members. For more information about the DBSA specially designed program click here.
In November 2006, Group members finalized a Facilitator and Buddy Training Manual. Subsequent to the training which was facilitated by Barbara White (NJ Self Help Group Clearinghouse), mini trainings and meetings for facilitators and buddies were held quarterly and continue to be held as needed.
In March 2006, the Group hosted a 1 day DBSA facilitator/buddy training held at Roxbury Library. Local DBSA members from various chapters in New Jersey were invited to attend the training which was conducted by Barbara White of the NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse. As a sign of its appreciation, the Group donated the book, “His Bright Light” by Danielle Steele, to the library. The book chronicled her son’s struggle with bipolar disorder and eventual suicide.
2005 A community-wide educational, I Survived the Holidays II – Now What Should I Do? party featured Ivan Goldberg, MD, who presented “Old vs. New Treatments – Depression, Bipolar Disorder, & Related Illnesses” followed by an “Ask the Doctor” session. A special guest appearance was made by Mary Jo Codey, then 1st lady of 2004 The Group's 1st Birthday Party celebration was held on August 21, 2004 and was attended by many group members. A great time was had by all who gathered to celebrate the importance of the Group and positive impact it had on everyone's lives. The Group continues to celebrate it's birthday. 2003 August 21, 2003 - DBSA Succasunna held its first meeting. 35 people were in attendance. Attendees present had their say in making determinations as to how often the group would meet.
A community-wide educational, A Fall Tune-Up on the Nuts and Bolts of Mental Health Challenges from Childhood thru Adulthood with speakers Rosalie Greenberg, MD, (Child Psychiatrist) and Robert Eilers, MD, (Director, NJ Division of Mental Health Services) was held on October 23, 2005. The event included a sub-topic concerning New
The group was selected by DBSA to receive the Chapter Service of the Year Award in the summer of 2004 just prior to its 1st year of continued existence. The award was a result of outstanding community work performed by all involved in reaching out to the community, providing a location for people to meet and talk, and be educated regarding depression and bipolar disorders.
A community-wide educational event was held on June 6, 2004 entitled Spring into Summer with How to Look Good and Feel Good while Living with Mental Health Issues. 5 psychotherapists spoke about different modalities of therapy used to assist individuals facing various types of health issues. The event attracted over 60 attendees.
By June 2004, DBSA Succasunna was officially recognized as being a 501©3 organization and thus all donations to our organization being tax deductible. This was a major accomplishment given the work involved to make this happen as well as our being less than one year old.
By March 1, 2004, DBSA Succasunna was officially recognized as a non-profit corporation in the state of
A community-wide educational event was held on January 11, 2004 entitled "I Survived the Holidays Party - Straight Talk about Depression and Bipolar Disorder" followed by an "Ask the Doctor" session. This featured psycho-pharmacologist David Nathan, MD and was the first of its kind for the group. Approximately 95 people were in attendance.
October 2003 - DBSA Succasunna raised enough money to officially become an affiliated chapter of DBSA.