DBSA Boulder now offers virtual meetings at the normal Boulder and Broomfield meeting times. These replace in person meetings. To join, please register by sending email to bdbsazoom@gmail.com providing your name and the meeting(s) you wish to attend. Meeting choices are Sunday 6pm-7:30, Thursday 6:30pm-8pm, or both. The only meetings for friends and family are the first Sunday and Thursday of the month. These meetings are intended only for areas served by DBSA Boulder, roughly a 20 mile radius of Boulder.
In person meetings in Boulder, Broomfield, and Northstar in Northglenn are still suspended. For the latest information keep checking this web site. To be placed on the DBSA Boulder notification list please email us at boulderdbsa@gmail.com.
If you are in crisis there are several great options:
1. Call 911 and optionally ask for a Crisis Intervention Team. They have special training.
2. Call Colorado Crisis Services crisis line 1-844-493-TALK (8255). You have the option of talking to a peer specialist, or to a masters level counselor.
3. Go to a Colorado Crisis Services walk in clinic. See ColoradoCrisisServices.org for details. You can just talk, voluntarily stay overnight, or stay a couple days. There is a psychiatrist on duty for med changes.
The Boulder location provided by Mental Health Partners is at 3180 Airport Blv Boulder, Colorado 80301.
The Wheatridge location provided by Jefferson Center for Mental Health is 4643 Wadsworth Wheatridge, CO 80033.
Please note the old 84th and Federal CCS location is no longer associated with Colorado Crisis Services. It is intended for Adams County Community Reach Center clients. Therefore there is no grant to help pay for medical bills. A large bill might result.
4. Call Mental Health Partners (MHP) emergency psychiatric services counselor 24/7 for both Adults and Children at 303-447-1665.
5. Go to the Mental Health Partners walk in center located in Boulder at 3180 Airport Road.
6. Become better educated about suicide here.
7. Try some of these coping skills at the top right of this page "Coping".
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. All in person groups are temporarily suspended due to the Corona virus.
2. DBSA Boulder is considering moving to googlegroups for email, so if you received such an invitation is it genuine.
Donations are gratefully accepted and are used to cover web hosting, annual DBSA re-affiliation, state of Colorado registration, and facilitation materials.
Introduction
DBSA Boulder is a peer lead support organization for people experiencing depression and bipolar disorder. This includes those with symptoms, friends/family, and care givers. We offer weekly in person support groups in both Boulder and Broomfield, links to resources at the national DBSA web site here as well as resources on this web site.
To contact us please email boulderdbsa@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 720 443 2849. These are only checked every few days so there may be a delay in responding. To be placed on our email list for meeting cancellation notices and rarely informational emails please request that by emailing the address above.
DBSA Boulder is a peer lead support organization for people experiencing depression and bipolar disorder. This includes those with symptoms, friends/family, and care givers. We offer weekly in person support groups in both Boulder and Broomfield, links to resources at the national DBSA web site here as well as resources on this web site.
To contact us please email boulderdbsa@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 720 443 2849. These are only checked every few days so there may be a delay in responding. To be placed on our email list for meeting cancellation notices and rarely informational emails please request that by emailing the address above.
Meetings
Boulder: TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED Sundays 6:00pm to 7:30pm 2855 Folsom, Boulder CO 80304. This is the Unity church at the South West corner of Folsom and Valmont. Symptomatic people are welcome every meeting. Friends and family are welcome the second Sunday for their own meeting, and the fourth week joining those with symptoms. The church doors will be unlocked at 5:45pm, and re-locked at 6:15pm.
Broomfield: TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED Thursdays 6:30pm to 8pm 825 Kohl Street, Broomfield CO 80020. This is the United Church of Christ. The fourth Thursday of the month adds friends/family/caregivers. NOTE: The church door must remain locked so a greeter will be at the door from 6:30pm until 6:40pm. After that please ring the door bell to the left of the doors for access.
Northstar DBSA: TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED meets Mondays at 7:00 pm in Northglenn. It follows their own meeting structure. Meetings are at Crossroads church, 10451 N Huron St. Northglenn CO 80234. Enter the North entrance with the exterior wooden ramp (not the Children's entrance) walking straight in through a colorful blue and green hallway to the gym on the left that will have a blue DBSA banner on the door. Contact is Michelle Mudge Davis at (303) 881-1506 and by email at dbsanorthstar@gmail.com.
On occasion we get email asking if these times and locations are still current. This site is maintained and updated regularly. Should there be a change it will be noted here. There are occasional cancellations noted in the announcements section above.
For the support meetings, there will be brightly colored signs posted on the church door and along the path to the meeting room. Please make a name tag when you arrive to help us remember each other's name.
Meetings are facilitated by peer volunteers that have been trained, but are not professionals. Their role is primarily to make sure meeting guidelines are followed and time is equally allocated. These meetings are not a replacement for therapy or other treatments. We are not affiliated with any religious organization and are free of charge although donations are gratefully accepted. We welcome cultural, linguistic, social, racial, gender, and all other identities and we promote their inclusion. This is a casual, low key, time of conversation on topics you bring to the meeting. We recognize life can be hectic and coming for the first time can take great courage so it is okay to arrive late, just listen, and leave early. For the Broomfield meeting note you will need to ring the doorbell after 6:40pm.
A typical meeting starts with us sitting in small circle of chairs. We start by reading a welcome message, meeting description, and guidelines we follow. The guidelines can be summarized as being respectful and not telling others what to do. Then people "check in" if they want, with their first name, diagnosis and date, how they are doing on a scale of 1-10, and if there is a topic they want to discuss. A topic can be a question, a need to vent, or anything else. To protect participant privacy, and honor the basic guideline "what is said here stays here", meeting facilitators will only write down suggested topics with no identifiers. Participants are asked to seek permission before writing anything down, and limit that to resources and referrals. While we at times discuss suicidal ideation, we are not equipped for immediate crisis and disallow describing specifics. Then we jump into conversation on those topics identified and new ones that come up. At the end we make sure everyone feels okay to go home.
In our meetings we work together to follow these guidelines:
DBSA Boulder Guidelines
Share the air Everyone who wishes to share has an opportunity to do so. No one person should monopolize the group time.
One person speaks at a time Each person should be allowed to speak without interruption or side conversations.
What is said here stays here This is the essential principle of confidentiality; it must be respected by everyone.
Differences of opinion are okay We are all entitled to our own point of view. However, language that harms, disrespects, or marginalizes others will not be tolerated.
We are all equal We welcome cultural, linguistic, social, racial, and all other identities, and we promote their inclusion.
Use “I” language Because we don’t participate in discussion groups as credentialed professionals, we can’t instruct. We can, however, share from our own experiences. For example, instead of saying “you should do X,” say “when I was faced with a similar problem, I ...” We should always frame our comments in the context of our own experiences.
It is okay not to share People don’t have to share if they don’t want to.
Avoid Discussing Triggering Details To avoid triggering others, we refrain from discussing the specifics of traumatic events, or details regarding self-harm, suicide, or suicide ideation.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to make the discussion group a safe place to share We respect confidentiality, treat people with respect and kindness, and show compassion.
Boulder: TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED Sundays 6:00pm to 7:30pm 2855 Folsom, Boulder CO 80304. This is the Unity church at the South West corner of Folsom and Valmont. Symptomatic people are welcome every meeting. Friends and family are welcome the second Sunday for their own meeting, and the fourth week joining those with symptoms. The church doors will be unlocked at 5:45pm, and re-locked at 6:15pm.
Broomfield: TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED Thursdays 6:30pm to 8pm 825 Kohl Street, Broomfield CO 80020. This is the United Church of Christ. The fourth Thursday of the month adds friends/family/caregivers. NOTE: The church door must remain locked so a greeter will be at the door from 6:30pm until 6:40pm. After that please ring the door bell to the left of the doors for access.
Northstar DBSA: TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED meets Mondays at 7:00 pm in Northglenn. It follows their own meeting structure. Meetings are at Crossroads church, 10451 N Huron St. Northglenn CO 80234. Enter the North entrance with the exterior wooden ramp (not the Children's entrance) walking straight in through a colorful blue and green hallway to the gym on the left that will have a blue DBSA banner on the door. Contact is Michelle Mudge Davis at (303) 881-1506 and by email at dbsanorthstar@gmail.com.
On occasion we get email asking if these times and locations are still current. This site is maintained and updated regularly. Should there be a change it will be noted here. There are occasional cancellations noted in the announcements section above.
For the support meetings, there will be brightly colored signs posted on the church door and along the path to the meeting room. Please make a name tag when you arrive to help us remember each other's name.
Meetings are facilitated by peer volunteers that have been trained, but are not professionals. Their role is primarily to make sure meeting guidelines are followed and time is equally allocated. These meetings are not a replacement for therapy or other treatments. We are not affiliated with any religious organization and are free of charge although donations are gratefully accepted. We welcome cultural, linguistic, social, racial, gender, and all other identities and we promote their inclusion. This is a casual, low key, time of conversation on topics you bring to the meeting. We recognize life can be hectic and coming for the first time can take great courage so it is okay to arrive late, just listen, and leave early. For the Broomfield meeting note you will need to ring the doorbell after 6:40pm.
A typical meeting starts with us sitting in small circle of chairs. We start by reading a welcome message, meeting description, and guidelines we follow. The guidelines can be summarized as being respectful and not telling others what to do. Then people "check in" if they want, with their first name, diagnosis and date, how they are doing on a scale of 1-10, and if there is a topic they want to discuss. A topic can be a question, a need to vent, or anything else. To protect participant privacy, and honor the basic guideline "what is said here stays here", meeting facilitators will only write down suggested topics with no identifiers. Participants are asked to seek permission before writing anything down, and limit that to resources and referrals. While we at times discuss suicidal ideation, we are not equipped for immediate crisis and disallow describing specifics. Then we jump into conversation on those topics identified and new ones that come up. At the end we make sure everyone feels okay to go home.
In our meetings we work together to follow these guidelines:
DBSA Boulder Guidelines
Share the air Everyone who wishes to share has an opportunity to do so. No one person should monopolize the group time.
One person speaks at a time Each person should be allowed to speak without interruption or side conversations.
What is said here stays here This is the essential principle of confidentiality; it must be respected by everyone.
Differences of opinion are okay We are all entitled to our own point of view. However, language that harms, disrespects, or marginalizes others will not be tolerated.
We are all equal We welcome cultural, linguistic, social, racial, and all other identities, and we promote their inclusion.
Use “I” language Because we don’t participate in discussion groups as credentialed professionals, we can’t instruct. We can, however, share from our own experiences. For example, instead of saying “you should do X,” say “when I was faced with a similar problem, I ...” We should always frame our comments in the context of our own experiences.
It is okay not to share People don’t have to share if they don’t want to.
Avoid Discussing Triggering Details To avoid triggering others, we refrain from discussing the specifics of traumatic events, or details regarding self-harm, suicide, or suicide ideation.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to make the discussion group a safe place to share We respect confidentiality, treat people with respect and kindness, and show compassion.
Resources:
Colorado Crisis Services/Boulder Mental Health Partner crisis line 1-844-493-TALK (8255).
ORGANIZATIONS
Colorado Crisis Services(CCS) Colorado's state wide mental health crisis services. There are crisis call lines to reach a peer just to talk with, or if in immediate crisis a masters level clinician to work with. There are also walk in crisis centers. CCS IS SEPARATE FROM MENTAL HEAL PARTNERS BELOW.
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) national web site.
DNA tests provide information about medication classes that will and won't work for you based on your DNA. Geneomind
Mayo clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing.
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in your community.
Mental Health Partners(MHP) is Boulder and Broomfields county's mental health services. MHP IS SEPARATE FROM COLORADO CRISIS CENTER ABOVE. Mental Health Partners has a 24/7/365 Walk-In Center at 3180 Airport Rd., Boulder, for immediate assistance with a mental health crisis. Individuals using the crisis center do not need to be area residents or clients--anyone may use this center. Mental Health Partners also has outpatient offices for infants, children, adolescents, adults and families. Many programs and services are available, including school-based programs, substance abuse treatment, rape crisis counseling, advocacy and education. Mental Health Partners offers bilingual/bicultural services and an in-house pharmacy.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Colorado This group offers comprehensive support and resource for all mental illnesses including training, support groups, and materials.
NAMI for young adults in Jefferson County
National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. This is a go to site for accurate information.
Open Path Collective Non-profit offering a network of lower cost therapy providers including for those with out insurance.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) Other companies may offer to connect consumers to these same assistance programs for a fee — some of which may use our name without our permission. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance will help you find the program that’s right for you, free of charge. We will never ask for payment information.
Robert D. Sutherland Foundation for bipolar disorder. As of May 2020 it is suspended many services. Based on the CU campus, offering amazing education, counseling services, and at times psychiatric services. Their "Sutherland Series" 8 week bipolar educational program is outstanding. It is now available as an audio download here: https://bipolarresources.org/ They also have a rich resources section on their web site. This is a great community resource.
In addition to the Sutherland Series, skills therapy consisting of 5 modules is available for those that qualify. Please call 303 492 5680 to start the process.
Social Security Administration (SSA) is where one applies for disability and gets help with medicare/medicate services.
ONLINE
Bringchange2mind started by Glenn Close, it is a non-profit organization working together to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness through widely distributed public education materials and programs based on the latest scientific insights and measured for effectiveness.
New York State Office of Mental Health Cognitive issues related to mental illness and cognitive remediation. Very thorough resource!
crazymeds.com This site has anecdotal information about psych medications. You will need to disable your ad blocker to use this site.
Wristbandexpress Unsure how this company came to have all these mental illness resources, but it is very comprehensive. It includes or links to mental illness descriptions, treatments, Social Security Disability, and more. It is recommended to us by a girl scout troop that happened upon our site while doing a mental health project.
CHATROOMS
Bipolarworld.net. Note when you enter you will be asked your age and diagnosis to validate you are an eligible particiapant.
Healthfulfchat.org. Note you enter in the lounge room, and move to the room you selected upon entry (bipolar) by clicking on that tab below where you type. This site is only partially moderated and at times you will need a thick skin for some conversations. If you need help ask for a mod "is there a mod here". At times mods are only in the lounge room, and other times no mod is online. Must be 16 years or older.
BOOKS
About bipolar disorder:
- "Bipolar for Dummies" 3rd edition is a very comprehensive source of bipolar information. Strongly recommended for both newly diagnosed and long time experienced people
- "Depression for Dummies" is a very comprehensive source of depression information. Strongly recommended for both newly diagnosed and long time experienced people
- “Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison
- “Loving someone with Bipolar Disorder" by Judy A. Fast and John D. Preston
- "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know" by David J Miklowitz
- "Why Am I Still Depressed?" by Jim Phelps
- "When Someone You Love Is Bipolar: Help and Support for You and Your Partner" by Cynthia G. Last
- "Living With Someone Who's Living With Bipolar Disorder: A Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and Coworkers" by Chelsea Lowe
- "Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar but Were Too Freaked Out to Ask" by Hilary T. Smith
- "The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings" by Monica Ramirez Basco
About depression:
- "The Mindful Way Through Depression" by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal and Jon Kabat-Zinn
- "Thoughts and Feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life" by Matthew McKay, PhD, Martha Davis, PhD, and Patrick Fanning
- "Depression Fallout: The Impact of Depression on Couples and What You Can Do to Preserve the Bond" by Anne Sheffield
About Trauma:
"The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
PAMPLETS/BROCHURES:
DBSA Pamplets cover many topics including coping with mood disorder, dual diagnosis, psychotherapy, suicide prevention, what hurts what helps, you have just been diagnosed, and more. Many are available online, and some in print form only.
About Self Compassion:
- "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself” by Kristin Neff. It explains some of the research behind self-compassion, what self-compassion is and isn’t, and has activities and practices in the book with links to internet resources occasionally.
MOOD TRACKERS
This is a new section. Looking for other recommendations. Please feel free to email to boulderdbsa@gmail.com.
eMoods web site
eMoods is available at Google Play.
eMoods is available for Apple
Moodscope is a site that offers mood tracking, graphing, and blog sharing. Each day there is a reminder to answer 20 questions.
WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLAN (WRAP). The first is very good.
DBSA CRISIS PLAN This plan is from the DBSA National Site and is ideal.
NAMIAustin WRAP This WRAP plan has VERY comprehensive step by step instructions how to complete one.
DMH.MO.GOV WRAP Synopsis This is a very brief description of WRAP plan elements
LEGAL RESOURCES
Colorado NAMI Law line If you need legal advice Colorado National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a free 15 minute consultation with a volunteer lawyer. (303) 321 3104
American Bar Association Online database of attorneys1 (800) 285-2221
Directory for free legal assistance by state
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Information about mental health legislation(202) 467-5730
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
For complaints of disability employment discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)1 (800) 669-4000
Joint Commission (JCAHO) Toll-Free Complaint HotlineTo share concerns regarding quality of care (not billing) at a health care organization1 (800) 994-6610
Legal Aid / local legal service agencies. May assist those unable to pay for legal assistance (limitations often apply, such as no criminal cases)Check your local phone directory under "legal aid" or ask your local NAMI affiliate for legal aid resources near you
Legal Services Corporation
Civil legal aid to low-income Americans(202) 295-1500
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
Legal advocacy for individuals on subjects like abuse, health care accountability, education, employment, housing, transportation and interactions with the juvenile and criminal justice system (202) 408-9514
National Guardianship Association Information about guardianship or conservatorship
U.S. Department of Justice
Assistance with ADA concerns in state and local government and public accommodations1 (800) 541-0301
FILING SSDI/SSI
Social Security Resources Applying for—and eventually receiving—Social Security benefits can be a long process, but the good news is that you don't have to do it alone. Read NAMI's answers to frequently asked questions about Social Security benefits or consult the resources below for help. Getting good advice and following through on the appeals process can significantly improve your claim's chances.
Allsup
Specialized services for those living with disabilities nationwide, including Social Security Disability Insurance representation and Medicare plan selection services. Filing SS disability claims with them will result in your benefit being reduced by the amount of their fees. 1 (800) 279-4357 ext. 2020
NAMI
Information about submitting claims and appeals
National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR)
Referral lists of representatives who can help you with your claim1 (800) 747-6131
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)
Referral lists of representatives who can help you with your claim1 (800) 431-2804
Social Security Administration Hotline Claims information—calling more than once to get several opinions may be helpful1 (800) 772-1213
Colorado NAMI Law line If you need legal advice Colorado National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a free 15 minute consultation with a volunteer lawyer. (303) 321 3104
American Bar Association Online database of attorneys1 (800) 285-2221
Directory for free legal assistance by state
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Information about mental health legislation(202) 467-5730
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
For complaints of disability employment discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)1 (800) 669-4000
Joint Commission (JCAHO) Toll-Free Complaint HotlineTo share concerns regarding quality of care (not billing) at a health care organization1 (800) 994-6610
Legal Aid / local legal service agencies. May assist those unable to pay for legal assistance (limitations often apply, such as no criminal cases)Check your local phone directory under "legal aid" or ask your local NAMI affiliate for legal aid resources near you
Legal Services Corporation
Civil legal aid to low-income Americans(202) 295-1500
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
Legal advocacy for individuals on subjects like abuse, health care accountability, education, employment, housing, transportation and interactions with the juvenile and criminal justice system (202) 408-9514
National Guardianship Association Information about guardianship or conservatorship
U.S. Department of Justice
Assistance with ADA concerns in state and local government and public accommodations1 (800) 541-0301
FILING SSDI/SSI
Social Security Resources Applying for—and eventually receiving—Social Security benefits can be a long process, but the good news is that you don't have to do it alone. Read NAMI's answers to frequently asked questions about Social Security benefits or consult the resources below for help. Getting good advice and following through on the appeals process can significantly improve your claim's chances.
Allsup
Specialized services for those living with disabilities nationwide, including Social Security Disability Insurance representation and Medicare plan selection services. Filing SS disability claims with them will result in your benefit being reduced by the amount of their fees. 1 (800) 279-4357 ext. 2020
NAMI
Information about submitting claims and appeals
National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR)
Referral lists of representatives who can help you with your claim1 (800) 747-6131
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)
Referral lists of representatives who can help you with your claim1 (800) 431-2804
Social Security Administration Hotline Claims information—calling more than once to get several opinions may be helpful1 (800) 772-1213
Coping Strategies
Please click on the word "Coping" at the top right of this site.