I've been going to group 3 times now, and it's really helpful! The others in the group are supportive, and it's really nice to know you're not alone! I like that you're not required to share, and that you can bring loved ones so that everyone can learn new coping mechanisms! read more

I found DBSA when I was at my worst, and they took me in without judgement. Even now that I'm doing much better I can go share with the group as well as try to provide feedback to others that may help them with their struggles. It is a non for profit group that only asks for small donations when you can making it easy for anyone to participate. Having a feeling of fitting in and belonging when it feels you are most alone with your struggles is life saving. Another great part is even though it is the Depression and Bipolar support, the group welcomes all type of mental conditions including anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, and others that may or may not be associated with depression or bipolar. read more

DBSA is a national organization sponsoring peer-led support groups for people living with depression and bi-polar disorder. This review is for the group that meets Thursday nights between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at Cong. B'nai Jehudah in Overland Park. I've been attending for over a year now and it's been a great support resource. Personally I haven't faced a lot of issues with accepting my diagnosis, or other people accepting it, but many folks have experienced these issues and, if you've been in denial or just unclear about what is going on with you, a diagnosis can be pretty scary! The folks here are warm, friendly and non-judgmental, and many have been dealing pretty successfully with their illness for years! Some people have been coming ever since this group started up a bit more than a year ago, others are brand new, but everyone is welcome and gets a chance to talk and share (if they wish to). You'll feel at home with us in no time. DBSA does take the view that these illnesses are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and that, for most of us, lifetime medication will probably be necessary, just as if we were diabetic or have thyroid problems! A few particpants don't take meds and the group isn't judgmental about that, but we know from personal experiences that not taking meds or not being compliant with them is usually a recipe for disaster, sooner or later. But nobody is "pushed" to go on meds if they don't want to, although almost all of us can testify to the difference the meds have made in our lives. Of course the group doesn't negate the need for talk therapy, but it's an excellent adjunct and it's really good to be with a group of nice people who actually "get" what you've been going through! (BTW, most of us have these diseases chronically. A few are dealing with situational depression, like after a death or divorce or loss of a job, and those folks may well be able to discontinue medication once their situations stabilize and they emerge from their depression. But for most of us this is an illness we'll have to deal with for the rest of our lives. Of course, symptoms vary and can change as we age, so meds periodically get adjusted or changed to be sure they're still working.) We aren't medical professionals and we're not a substitute for professional care. But many of us have a lot of experience that we can share with people who are newly diagnosed and perhaps help save them some of the heartaches this illness can bring. Some of us have gone through some very heavy experiences, but have managed to emerge on the other side surprisingly intact! The meetings are casual, with 10 - 20 people depending on the night. We almost always have coffee and some kind of refreshments. We ask for a $3 donation each night to cover the refreshments, the nominal rent the Congregation charges us, and dues to the national DBSA organization. If you can't afford that some nights, there's no pressure to donate. Many of us have (or had) employment problems because of the disabling effects of our diseases and we all know what that's like! So please don't let that inhibit you from coming. The group is also open to people of all religious backgrounds and sexual orientations. If this turns out not to be the group for you we have quite a few resources we can refer you to so you don't have to feel like you wasted an evening. We've also collectively been on just about every medication there is and seen many physicians and therapists, so if you have questions about meds or professionals you can get a lot of information from us. The group varies in ages. Some folks are in their 20s or 30s, others in their 50s and 60s (the aging baby boomers). Most nights after the meeting we go to a nearby bar or restaurant for less formal chatting and making new friendships! Except for some national and Jewish holidays, the group meets every Thursday. Call or checki the website to save a trip if you're coming from far away. There ARE some other DBSA support groups in the metro, which you can locate on the national website, but I can't speak to them because I've been so pleased with this one that I haven't checked out any of the others! And even if your problem isn't primarily depression or bi-polar, you're still welcome. A few of our members have other issues, like anxiety, OCD or borderline personality disorder. We also welcome "sane" people who are living with family members or loved ones with these illnesses. For some diagnoses there may not be any local or nearby group, so you can check us out. Of course, if you are currently experiencing heavy duty symptoms, are suicidal or don't feel fully in touch with reality this is NOT the group for you. We aren't a crisis center -- if you're experiencing those kinds of things PLEASE call your providers, the local mental health center or 911 or go to the E.R.! But once you're stable come see us! We can help support you in maintaining that stability! read more

This group has been so helpful. It is a safe place to share, listen, help and gather "judgement free" feedback from peers that struggle coping with their brain disorders. I cannot suggest strongly enough joining the group and see for yourself read more

The DBSA group is an excellent support group where you can talk freely and without worry of judgment. The peer support group style is great. It is so nice to be able to talk with people who suffer from the same thing as you do. I get as much, if not more out of it than I do when meeting with my therapist. I would highly recommend checking it out if you suffer from any type of mental illness and are looking for a support group. If it isn't a good fit for you then you're only out two hours of your time. read more

This group was a port in the storm for me. It provides me a safe place to express experiences with bipolar free from judgement and stigma. It is wonderful to have a place to talk with other people who share similar life challenges. Once a month there is a group for the adult friends and family members of those living with depression and bipolar mood disorders. The primary group meets Thursday's from 7 - 9 pm; the friends and family group meets from 7-9 pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Location = The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Overland Park, KS. Review written Nov 2014. read more

Mary Mc The mission of the Depression & Bipolar Alliance (DBSA) is to provide hope, help, support and education to improve the lives of people living with depression or bipolar disorder. The group meets at The Congregation, Temple B'Nai Jedhudsh located at 12310 Nall in Overland Park. The group meets on most Thursdays from 7-9pm. There is also a Friends & Family group which meets at the same time on the second Thursday of each month. It s a peer support group in which individuals share their Experiences with others. It can be very beneficial to listen to others experiences, sorrows and triumphs. For me, it has taken place of a therapist. A great organization! Call 913-730-0042 fo answer any questions you may have or come by on Thursday. read more

I found DBSA Overland Park in early 2013 and have been attending meetings ever since. I consider the group to be a great resource in maintaining my mental health. In our day-to-day lives of work and other public activities, many of us with depression and bipolar illness feel we must hide ourselves behind a mask of "normalness" in order to get along in the world. Keeping up this mask can be exhausting, and it can increase one's feelings of isolation, leading to a desire to withdraw entirely from society. Attending DBSA OP for the first time, I felt like I could take off the mask. There was an immediate sense that I had found a group of people who had the sort of understanding that comes from personal experience. It was a tremendous relief and a feeling of complete acceptance, and it was just what I had been looking for. This was, for me, the first great gift of DBSA. The second great gift is that DBSA meetings have taken me out of my own struggles and invested my attention in the lives of other people. I go to meetings not only to get support for myself, but to give support to the people I now consider friends. When I am down, they help me with their presence and their words, and this has sometimes been my only relief in desperate times. And when I am doing okay, I am sometimes able to help someone who is in a bad spot, and that is a tremendous feeling--to give back. When you live with depression, sometimes it is hard to feel useful. But in this community, everyone matters. I encourage anyone struggling with depression, anxiety or bipolar illness to attend a meeting of DBSA Overland Park. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Just being in the room and knowing that you are accepted can benefit a person in ways that medications and therapies--while useful and very important--cannot. read more

I located this local support wing of the Depression and Bibolar Support Alliance (DBSA) at the behest of a friend who was severely depressed and was needing to speak to someone who understood what they were going through, but couldn't afford professional counseling. After asking around my group of medical contacts, I was given the contact info for DBSA of Overland Park. Through some investigation, I found that they offered support groups at a local temple and encouraged newcomers to attend. I called the number provided on the website and explained what I was trying to accomplish, and the lady I spoke to (also the founder of the support group) was very helpful, and encouraged me to have my friend attend their next support group. I provided my friend with the contact information and some additional info that I had gleaned from the website (DBSAOP.org). She was happy to have such a wonderful resource so close to her home, and found the group to be highly supportive. The peer-led support meeting was exactly what she needed to find support for her struggles. The difference in my friend's demeanor after her first support group was night and day different. She so appreciated finding someplace to share her issues and hear that she isn't alone. It is my understanding that she is now attending regularly, and loves being among others who have the same difficulties and struggles as she does. The topics discussed change weekly, and it is a wonderful resource to provide understanding for a very misunderstood disease. I would recommend DBSA of OP very highly to anyone with depression or Bipolar issues who needs support or just a listening ear. read more

This is a great group of people that meet weekly to support and encourage each other in dealing with depression and bi-polar. I desperately needed to find support for a friend who was really struggling and suicidal and this group has been a significant help to us. (For BOTH of us.) Paige, who started the group, has a great way of leading - very gracious and compassionate. You are okay in this group, no matter where you are in your healing (or coping) process or what you are struggling with. This is a place for honesty. You can come and unload, or you can just listen to others (whose stories may just put your own in perspective...) It is a wonderful, comfortable, safe place to go in a world that is harsh and unrelenting. There are often about 30 people at the meetings and we break into two rooms so everyone has opportunity to speak if they want to. There are not counselors leading the groups, but people who have been through depression / bi-polar themselves. That perspective is really helpful. It's not a group counseling session, it's other people who hurt and struggle, helping each other and being helped in the process. This is a place that may help you see beyond your own pain as you reach out and support others; and as you receive the gift of others' listening ears and compassion and encouragement. Everything is confidential in the room. All the stories are as difficult as your own, likely, so nobody is going to go out retelling someone else's pain...since they have shared their own too. If you deal with depression or bi-polar, or if you love someone who does and need to understand what they are going through (and get help yourself as their support) - this group is for you. It's completely non-threatening. Come and try it and see what you think. I bet it will be helpful. read more

I attend the weekly DBSA group regularly. I live with depression. It helps me to talk with people who understand my experiences. I know I'm not abnormal, and other people have the same problems I have. I feel like I'm among friends when I attend the support group. It's part of my recovery process, along with medication, a therapist, etc. I know I'm not alone, and I have a feeling of self worth. I highly recommend DBSA Overland Park. Come to the support group on Thursday night; you have nothing to lose. read more