What Is The DBSA?

Will you be participating in this? The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s (DBSA’s) positive +6 campaign? I know I will be there! I hope that you will participate in this positive and fun campaign.

Living with a mental illness or mood disorder presents many challenges requiring a lot of support for real recovery. The DBSA motto is “We’ve Been There. We Can Help.” Without a doubt, they’ve helped many people. Starting over 26 years ago, the DBSA was a Chicago grassroots peer-led support group. Fast forward to today’s 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.

Chato: {Cooking hamburgers and hot dogs on a propane grill inside his doctor’s office}

Dr. Bob Bob: {reaching for the fire extinguisher and the phone at the same time}

Caption: Feeding Kindness Challenge: Share A Meal

But what is +6? I had an opportunity recently to chat with Aimee Webster, who is program manager at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) and the driving force behind +6 campaign.

Aimee thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. Could you explain to my readers what is the DBSA +6 Campaign?

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Of course Chato, I’m always happy to answer your questions and share our campaign with your wonderful readers!

The DBSA “Positive Six Campaign” (DBSA +6) kicks off May 1st and challenges you to focus for six months on making small, positive changes in your life. A strong support network, good physical health, and giving to others are all contributors towards good mental health for anyone, but especially for the over 21 million people who live with mood disorders.

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So this is a six month long challenge, that’s awesome! What are the 6 monthly challenges?

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That’s right Chato. It will start on May 1st and end October…with each month having a different theme for that month’s campaign.

• May – Feeding Kindness

• June – Positive Change

• July – Give It a Try

• August – New Connections

• September – Bodies in Motion

• October – Spreading Smiles

(When you go to www.positive6.org you will learn more. Please stay tuned for more details on the June-October challenges.)

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Wow, that is quite a lineup of events for the campaign. How can my peers get involved?

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Participation is simple, just go to www.positive6.org and visit our +6 event page on Facebook! Go to the May Feeding Kindness Challenge page to find inspiration in May’s challenge thought starters, read educational articles, chuckle at the challenge cartoon created by the amazingly talented Chato Stewart, discover healthy recipes, and much more! (Facebook Photos)

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Aimee, thank you for your kind words. I look forward to drawing a cartoon for each month’s campaign. Is this campaign for everybody? Who should participate in the campaign?

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The DBSA +6 was designed to help anyone, with or without mental health issues. We encourage everyone to participate and please spread the word to your friends, family, coworkers, etc.  Share it with your Facebook friends and other social media networks.

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Aimee, this really is a big event! Are you doing anything special for the kick-off?

Yes Chato, we are! Visit www.positive.org on May 1^st to check out our Feeding Kindness podcast and register for a chance to win +6 merchandise at the top of every hour (9am-5pm Central). Then visit on the first of every month of the campaign to learn more about that month’s challenge and for more opportunities to win +6 prizes.

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Aimee, once again I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful six-month campaign! I also would like to invite all my readers to take part in the campaign and visit their website! Feel free to share the monthly cartoons with your Facebook friends or tweet it.

Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

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Mental Health Humor Cartoons

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    Last reviewed: 25 Apr 2012