Arlington Heights Chapter
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Call (847) 495-2574
E-mail dbsa.arlhts@gmail.com
About Depression Bipolar Support Alliance-Arlington Heights (DBSA)
DBSA Arlington Heights is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization founded in October 2005 by Leah and Naoki Nakamura as a local chapter of DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance). People who live with a mood disorder and the people who support them are welcome to our support groups. Over the years, resources of our groups have served over 10,000 persons. We were awarded the 2015 National Service Award for Small Chapters by DBSA national headquarters.
What Should I Expect?
We will start promptly in a large group for introductions and announcements. We will then break up into smaller groups of 3-6 people for small group discussions. A trained facilitator will facilitate the discussion. Each person will be given the chance to talk and share their story.
Guidelines For Our Support Groups
Share the air
Everyone who wishes to share has an opportunity to do so. No one person monopolizes group time.
One person speaks at a time
Each person is allowed to speak without interruption or side conversations.
What is said here stays here
This is the essential principle of confidentiality; it will be respected by everyone.
We are all equal
We accept everyone regardless of you differences.
Differences of opinion are o.k.
We are all entitled to our own point of view.
Use “I” language
Because we don’t participate in discussion groups as credentialed professionals, we don't instruct. For example, instead of saying “you should do X,” we can say “when I was faced with a similar problem, I found X to be helpful.” We try to frame our comments in the context of our own experiences.
It’s o.k. not to share.
We don’t have to share if we don’t want to.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to make the discussion groups a safe place to share
We respect confidentiality, treat each other with respect and kindness, show compassion. AND WE HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR VIOLENCE OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE.
