To help provide peer, family and community support, DBSA Princeton will present a Depression Community Education Program to be held at NAMI Mercer on Sunday October 5, 2014. The program will run from 2 PM to 4 PM. NAMI Mercer is in Lawrence Township at the Lawrence Commons building which can be accessed from the Porsche Dealer—Lawrence Commons entrance to Mercer Mall on US Route 1 South. Directions are at http://namimercer.org/about/directions.shtml. The entrance to NAMI Mercer is at the distant (downhill) end of the building
The Depression Community Education program is a two-hour session that features educational videos, open dialogue and panel discussions. It is free and open to people diagnosed with a mood disorder as well as family, friends and the general public. The program utilizes personal stories to focus on
- What depression is
- Its impact on work/employment
- Its impact on relationships
- How it manifests in young adults
- How men may experience depression
- Special issues related to having a dual diagnosis
- Recovery after experiencing suicidal thoughts
The program was created by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) to help educate individuals about depression and help them learn from first-hand stories of those dealing with the many facets of depression. Depression and bipolar disorder affect more than 21 million Americans and account for 90% of the nation’s suicides every year. After proper diagnosis and treatment, the support of others is vital to a lifetime of wellness.
This event launches NAMI Mercer’s activities for Mental Illness Awareness Week from October 5 to 11, culminating in their sixth annual Harvest of Hope Conference on October 11. For information about these events, and the many other programs and resources they provide, visit http://namimercer.org.
DBSA Princeton has held weekly peer support group meetings since 2004 at the University Medical Center of Princeton where persons living with a mood disorder, including family and friends, can find comfort and direction in a confidential and supportive setting. Information is at /princeton.