DBSA Online Support Groups

Welcome to DBSA On-Line Support Groups. 

How to participate

Guidelines

Agreement

Participation in DBSA’s Online Support Groups offers you the opportunity to give and receive support without leaving your home. We offer online groups for people with depression or bipolar disorder, and separate groups for friends/family members.

Online support group meetings meet weekly and follow the general format of face-to-face DBSA support groups which includes time for:

• welcome
  
• review of guidelines
  
• introductions and check-in
  
• discussion
  
• closing

Effective January 10, 2005, Online Support Groups take will place at the following times (not including holidays):

Mondays at 6:00 pm, CST (Dual Diagnosis Support Group)
Hosted by DBSA NW Ohio Dual Diagnosis Group (OH)

Mondays at 7:00 pm, CST
Hosted by DBSA Del Rio (TX)

Tuesdays at 3pm, CST (Older Adults Support Group)
Hosted by DBSA Colorado Springs (CO)

Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, CST
Hosted by DBSA Cadillac (MI)

Wednesdays at 2:00 pm, CST
Hosted by DBSA Oklahoma

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, CST
Hosted by DBSA Highlands County (FL)

Saturdays at 12:00 pm, CST
Hosted by DBSA Riverside (CA)

How to participate

1. Shortly before the meeting is scheduled to begin, read and agree to abide by the Online Support Group Guidelines below.  You will then be taken to the login page for DBSA Chat.  Read the instructions for using the DigiChat software.  Choose a nickname for yourself, and log in.  From the DBSA Chat Foyer, Click on the "Rooms" tab on the right hand side of the page.  Then, double-click on the room called "Support."    
   
2. Each support group meeting will take place for one hour. 
   
3. A representative of DBSA periodically checks in with the online support group meetings but will not always be present. Feel free to contact the online support group coordinator at chapters@DBSAlliance.org with any concerns about members’ noncompliance with these rules so that the issue can be resolved.

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DBSA Online Support Group Guidelines and Release

1. Participation in a DBSA Online Support Group constitutes ongoing acceptance of these rules.
   
2. Membership in the online support groups is open to people with depression or bipolar disorder, and to their friends/family members. You represent that you are such a person.
   
3. Members agree to keep all discussions private and confidential among participants; to do otherwise discourages others’ willingness to share. DBSA’s rule is, "What we say here, stays here." No posting, or any portion therein, may be used, quoted, or published outside of the group without the advance written permission of the author, except for rights granted to DBSA as described in #9 below. Exceptions to this policy are made only when the safety of an individual is in danger.
   
4. It may take extraordinary courage for some members to reveal personal feelings. Members agree to be sensitive to, and gentle with, one another. Members agree to treat each other as they would want to be treated, respectfully and without judgment.
   
5. DBSA has zero tolerance for "flaming" (i.e., attacking other support group members for their opinions or views. ) No cursing or vulgar language is allowed. As an effort to maintain this support group as a nurturing environment, discussions on race, sexual orientation, religion, or political views are discouraged.
   
6. Group members are made to feel comfortable to join in group discussion, share feelings and experiences, and give and get feedback. Each member is encouraged to share his or her important point of view, but no one is forced to do so at every meeting. DBSA reserves the right to remove a participant from a group for ongoing non-participation.
   
7. DBSA reserves the right to limit and/or place conditions on the participation of individuals in its online support groups for non-compliance with guidelines. Consequences for noncompliance may range from being requested to post an apology to the group, to being given a warning, or – if absolutely necessary – to being removed from the group.
   
8. Members understand and affirm that the information shared in the online support group is not intended to replace the counsel and judgment of health care professionals. We leave diagnosis and the giving of professional advice to professionals. No one – including the support group facilitator – may give professional advice or direct someone to take a particular course of treatment. Instead, group members communicate and offer feedback to one another by sharing personal experiences as they relate to what is being discussed in the group. Group members suggest actions they have found to be helpful in similar circumstances. Members then make their own choices about their own actions.
   
9. DBSA appreciates the immense collective wisdom of support group participants. Consequently, members agree that DBSA may, at its discretion, archive and republish selected posts contributed in any form or media to benefit the mission of DBSA without further permission from you. All identifying information about members or any individuals discussed in the post will be removed.
   
10. USERS RELEASE AND HOLD DBSA AND ANY OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY AND DAMAGES THAT MAY ARISE FROM THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THESE ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS.

go to http://www.dbsalliance.org/Info/OnlineSupport.html to read, accept and login to the rooms