KINGWOOD — A bipolar and depression support group could come to Preston County soon.
Lynn Vespoint, president of the Mon County Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), said the organization would like to expand out into nearby counties like Preston and Marion. She said the group is looking for a host facility in Preston County.
DBSA is a peer-directed, national nonprofit organization focusing on the two most prevalent mental health conditions: depression and bipolar disorder. The conditions affect more than 21 million Americans, account for 20% of the nation’s suicides each year, and cost $23 billion in lost workdays and other workplace losses.
DBSA doesn’t provide therapy or treatment. Group participation is a supplement to professional care — whether that care includes medication, talk therapy or other treatment methods — but is not a substitute for it. Meetings are held both in-person and on Zoom.
“It’s about supporting each other,” board member Andrew Nicely said, “It’s nondiscriminatory. People with depression and bipolar conditions feel alone. Social workers, psychologist and psychiatrists know how important group support is.”
Julie Gower, executive director of DBSA in Mon County, said DBSA sponsors online and face-to-face support groups. She said a non-randomized study found participants in such groups reported their coping skills, medication compliance and acceptance of their illness correlated with their participation.
“Member hospitalization decreased by 49%, from 82% to 33%,” she said. “Following an initial meeting members were found to be 6.8 times more likely to attend subsequent meetings if accompanied by a member the first time.”
DBSA Vice President Libby Shuttleworth said the organization’s current goal is to get the word out. She said it is important to let people know free help is available.
“What we offer is not a religious meeting or a 12-step approach,” Vespoint said. “Participants are not asked to accept any particular set of beliefs. We understand each person’s path to wellness is unique,” Vespoint said.
She said DBSA is also seeking volunteer facilitators. Vespoint said facilitators run the meetings and help keep them on track. Facilitator training is free through the DBSA national office and can be done on Zoom.
The Mon County DBSA office is in the Mountaineer Mall. For more information, call 304-241-1862. The organization can also be found on Facebook and Instagram at dbsawv, or at dbsawv.org.
