Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Location
Advertisement
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. DBSA supports research to promote more timely diagnosis, develop more effective and tolerable treatments, and discover a cure. The organization works to ensure that people living with mood disorders are treated equitably. DBSA was founded in 1985.
DBSA has a grassroots network of nearly 1,000 patient-run support groups across the country. Their peer-led chapters and support groups serve about 70,000 people every year. Support groups play an important role in recovery with 86 percent of support group members reporting that their group helped with treatment adherence. This is a key finding because treatment adherence means fewer hospital stays, which in turn means lower insurance costs, greater employee productivity, and significantly increased quality of life. DBSA has 17 state organizations and more than 400 chapters across America.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is to provide hope, help, and support to improve the lives of people living with depression or bipolar disorder. DBSA pursues and accomplishes this mission through peer-based, recovery-oriented, empowering services and resources when people want them, where they want them, and how they want them.