Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance - National Headquarters

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Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance - National Headquarters

Find Wellness. Find Community. Find Hope. Visit dbsalliance.org for wellness info and tools, inspiring stories, podcasts and more.

Through 500+ support groups and 160+ chapters, DBSA reaches people with in-person and online peer support and easy-to-understand information on depression and bipolar disorder.

12/02/2025

When life is heavy, connection and credible information can make the difference between feeling completely alone and feeling understood. Around one in ten American adults lives with a depressive illness each year, and millions more live with bipolar disorder or other mood conditions. At the same time, only about half of adults with a mental health condition receive treatment in a given year, which leaves far too many people navigating symptoms with limited support.

DBSA steps into that gap with free peer support, education, and wellness tools. Last year, people turned to DBSA hundreds of thousands of times to download resources and nearly a million times to visit the website and look for help that fit real life.

When you give on Giving Tuesday, you help keep these services free for the next person who is searching at 2 a.m., wondering if anyone else understands what they are going through. Your support turns a single day of generosity into year round community.

12/01/2025

A common myth is that depression always looks like someone who cannot get out of bed. The fact is that many people live with what is sometimes called “functional” depression, where they keep working, caring for others, and showing up, while feeling numb, hopeless, or exhausted inside. Their struggle is just as real, even if other people do not see a dramatic change on the outside.

It is also a myth that there is only one type of depression. There are different subtypes and specifiers, and some people experience mixed features, where symptoms of depression and symptoms that look more energized or agitated show up at the same time. A proper diagnosis looks at how long symptoms have been present, how they cluster together, and how they affect daily life, not just whether someone appears “sad enough” from the outside.

11/28/2025

Children notice more than we think, and silence can feel louder than any words. Talking about mental health at a child’s level of understanding shows them that feelings are not something to hide or feel ashamed of. Simple phrases like “Everyone has feelings and we can talk about them here” can create a sense of safety that lasts over time.

You do not need to have all the answers or the perfect script. What matters most is your willingness to listen, to take their worries seriously, and to keep the conversation going even when it feels uncomfortable at first. This kind of steady presence can make it easier for a child to reach out when they are really struggling. As we count down to GivingTuesday in four days, we’re inviting our community to invest in programs that help families talk about feelings without shame. Your support allows DBSA to reach more children and caregivers with practical guidance grounded in lived experience and clinical insight.

11/27/2025

We want to express our gratitude for this community, for every shared story, every honest conversation, and every moment someone feels less alone because of another person’s courage.
Gratefulness is not about ignoring pain or pretending everything is easy. It’s about recognizing the people and moments that help us keep going. Thank you for being part of a space where understanding and compassion lead the way.

11/26/2025

If you have ever wondered whether what you experienced counts as trauma, you are not alone. Trauma is not only one kind of event and it is not limited to what other people would describe as catastrophic. It can be something that happened once, something that happened over and over, or something your family or community has carried for generations.

This carousel breaks down different types of trauma, including acute events, ACEs in childhood, chronic and complex trauma, historical and racial trauma, and secondary or vicarious trauma that helpers may absorb from others. Seeing your experience reflected in these categories can be a first step toward understanding why you feel the way you do and why depression or anxiety might show up the way they do. Your story deserves language that honors what you have lived through.

11/25/2025

If you live with depression or bipolar disorder, or you care about someone who does, it helps to know you are not the only one trying to make sense of each day. DBSA’s newsletter brings that reminder directly to your inbox.

You will see stories from people with lived experience, education about mood disorders in everyday language, and updates on programs, groups, and advocacy work that might matter in your own community. It is one small way to stay connected to support, even when you are not ready to join a group or speak up out loud yet. https://www.dbsalliance.org/join-our-mailing-list/

11/24/2025

Depression in older adults does not always look like crying or obvious sadness. It can look like constant fatigue, new aches and pains, staying in bed longer, or slowly giving up on hobbies and plans. It can sound like “I do not want to bother anyone” or “Nothing feels worth the effort.”

If you are noticing these shifts in yourself or someone you care about, you are not imagining things. Naming the possibility of depression is not disrespectful. It is a way of taking the person and their experience seriously.

DBSA provides information that can help you understand these signs, talk about them more openly, and explore options for support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not a burden on others. Learn more: dbsalliance.org/education/depression

11/20/2025

Caregiving works best as a partnership. DBSA reminds us that support looks different by age and that as young people grow, inviting them to help guide their own care builds confidence and buy-in. Listening first, offering specific help, and encouraging professional support can make the next step feel possible. Read more from DBSA on supporting loved ones: https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/for-friends-family/for-teens/treatment-options/supporting-loved-ones

11/18/2025

Grief can feel sharper when the holidays arrive. It is okay to keep a tradition, change one, or create a small ritual that honors your loved one. Light a candle, share a favorite story, or save a chair and say their name. Anniversaries and first holidays after a loss can be especially heavy. Make a plan that includes gentle company, quiet time, and a way to step back if you need it. If you want support building a plan for hard moments, DBSA’s crisis resources are here: https://www.dbsalliance.org/crisis

11/17/2025

The holidays are coming, and a little planning now can protect your well-being later. Think through your boundaries and what you truly have capacity for, then practice a kind “no” where you need it. If travel or budget are tight, plan what you can and let the rest be simple. When possible, have early, low-pressure conversations with family so expectations are clear and you have room to rest. If extra support would help, DBSA’s online support groups are available here: https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/chapters-and-support-groups/online-support-groups

11/14/2025

Therapy is not about perfection. It is about learning skills you can use when life gets loud. In many clinics you will see a few proven approaches used together. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you notice the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions so you can shift patterns that are not helping. Dialectical Behavior Therapy adds tools for calming your body, riding out tough moments, and caring for relationships. Interpersonal Therapy looks at grief, role changes, and conflict that can shape mood. A session is a guided conversation with clear goals, and homework is simply trying a small skill between visits so progress sticks.

11/13/2025

We believe in collaborative care, where you and your doctor work together for the best outcome. Before your visit, jot down mood, sleep, energy, and anything that helped or made symptoms harder. Bring questions about benefits, timing, and what to do if side effects show up. A simple side-effect journal and dose reminders can make it easier to follow the plan. When decisions are shared, staying well feels more possible.

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http://www.DBSAlliance.org/, http://sprout.link/dbsalliance

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