DBSA California

09/02/2025

Just as a compass points us in the direction we're looking to go, our heart can do the same when we tune it to the direction in which we want to go. Join us Wednesday September 3rd 5:00-6:15 for a FREE heart-opening session including exercises to help you to tune into your true desires and set your inner compass to point you in that direction.
Paula is a trauma-informed yoga for mental health instructor carrying an MA from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and with training in crisis intervention and su***de prevention.
Click below to register ❤️

Tools for integrating mind, body, and spirit with Paula Smeaton, MA

08/18/2025

Find the HERO in yourself and your peers! Join Devin Eshelman and DBSA CA on August 21st, 6:00-7:30pm Pacific Time. Diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder over twenty years ago caused Devin to attempt his life by jumping off a three story building head first. He woke up as a complete paraplegic, unable to walk again. Devin has used a wheelchair for so long its become his new body and his full life. He is married, drives, plays competitive wheelchair sports and works as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist. Devin will present a perspective that continues to empower his peer community. The Hero’s Journey in 7 Stages will focus on the universal journey in countless stories, movies and circumstances using the same foundational model to give context to our life experiences. Register at the link to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-heros-journey-in-7-steps-tickets-1568348505599?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/17/2025

People like Caroline benefit from DBSA every day. If you struggle with depression, anxiety, or any other mental health challenges, our community welcomes you. FREE online support groups are available to all. Watch her testimonial here.

Board Member Caroline Fraissinet talks about her experiences with DBSA.

07/14/2025

Leadership in a Peer-Led organization comes only with stunning perseverance and a bundle of help from the community. Learn how Wendy McNeill got to where she is today. Prepare to be inspired! Register here for her talk this Thursday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peaks-and-valleys-gen-x-valley-girl-on-the-epic-bipolar-journey-tickets-1462334113699?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/09/2025

Gen X Valley Girl on the Epic Bipolar Journey
Fueled by Mania. Clouded by Depression. Devastated by Grief. Shrouded in stigma. Beloved by Friends. Cradled by DBSA. Determined to Prevail. Please join Wendy McNeill in her conversation with colleague Amy Lombardi as she
reveals her turbulent backstory as a person with Bipolar I.

She tells a story filled with twists and turns, from early onset of Bipolar in a sheltered home, to the su***de of a devoted father, to tangles with law enforcement, to the inhumane treatment in the American health care system, to a misadventure in an asylum in England, to a narrow escape from a predator in Tijuana, to a stint in a board and care.

Ultimately, with a combination of determination, luck, medical treatment, and a loyal and supportive DBSA community, Wendy was able to find her strengths and reinvent herself in her quest for recovery.

Entering a loving, long term marriage, having rewarding careers in both education and social services, and pursuing a path of advocacy in mental health, Wendy has found meaning and purpose in a life once plagued by instability.

What you will hear in this conversation will be a story of turbulence and turmoil peppered with silver linings and a wicked sense of humor. You will find a wide cast of characters, both heroes and villains. The ride is wild, the final destination

Wendy McNeill, Executive Director of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance California, narrates her extraordinary story of resilience.

07/01/2025

Don't try to go it alone. Find professional help, call the su***de prevention hotline 988, and find friends you can talk to. We welcome you to join our free support groups. Find out more at DBSAcalifornia.org

06/24/2025

DBSA CA offers a safe space to talk honestly about what's really going on in your head-- even when it's frightening. We provide nonjudgmental space where you can talk it through and be assured YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Register at the link below to receive weekly meeting schedules https://mailchi.mp/dbsacalifornia/supportgroups

06/18/2025

MOVE YOUR MOOD! Thursday, June 19th, 6:00-7:30, Join Sandra Steiner, fitness Instructor and author who lives with Bipolar Disorder for a lively discussion on Mental Health and Exercise. Gain insight into the brain-body connection and how exercise influences neurotransmitters, sleep, and stress response. Pick up practical tips on building a sustainable personal exercise program. Energize your commitment to MOVEMENT AS MEDICINE. Register at the link below to join us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/move-your-mood-exercise-and-mental-health-with-sandra-steiner-tickets-1363815441699?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/11/2025

Who among us can claim NOT to worry too much? Dr. Jennifer Abel, a renowned clinical psychologist with 30+ years of specializing in the treatment of anxiety, will share her expertise and answer YOUR questions in an exclusive DBSA CA meeting this week. Don't miss this rare opportunity to chat with a top expert! Check out Dr Abel's website here https://www.anxietystlouispsychologist.com/. Follow the link below to register, and we will see you on Thursday, June 12th! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-author-dr-jennifer-abel-phd-clinical-psychologist-tickets-1366414164549?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/28/2025

Talking about depression doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to be honest.

Whether you’re supporting someone else or advocating for yourself, know this: you are not alone. DBSA is here to help with free peer support, resources, and community. Join a group. Share a resource. Start the conversation. ❤️https://www.dbsacalifornia.org/about-support-groups

05/21/2025

Take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Even when you're feeling great, this can help you stay on course! Checking in with yourself is an act of self-respect. You don’t have to navigate alone; DBSA offers free peer support, tools, and encouragement for every stage of your journey. https://www.dbsacalifornia.org/

05/13/2025

Join us this Thursday, May 15th to hear Jesslyn's powerful personal story of living with Bipolar Disorder! Through lived experience, Jesslyn brings practical wisdom for both personal and professional environments. Bring your questions and join the conversation! Register here to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fighting-goliath-for-mental-illness-a-conversation-jesslyn-mccutcheon-tickets-1352579444529?aff=oddtdtcreator