A Peer Support Specialist is a professional with lived mental health experience who is trained and certified to provide help and encouragement for others who are also working towards wellness. Listen and learn from Douglas  Hulst, DBSA’s Peer Specialist Workforce Development Program Manager, as he dives into the concept of peer support and how it benefits those living with depression or bipolar. Also hear from Jennifer, a Peer Support Specialist, who talks about  her journey to become a certified specialist, where she works, and how her role impacts peers. Learn more about Peer Support Specialists: <a href="https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/whats-a-peer-specialist/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/whats-a-peer-specialist/</a>Learn about  DBSA’s Peer Support Specialist Course:<a href="https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/</a>

A Peer Support Specialist is a professional with lived mental health experience who is trained and certified to provide help and encouragement for others who are also working towards wellness. Listen and learn from Douglas Hulst, DBSA’s Peer Specialist Workforce Development Program Manager, as he dives into the concept of peer support and how it benefits those living with depression or bipolar. Also hear from Jennifer, a Peer Support Specialist, who talks about her journey to become a certified specialist, where she works, and how her role impacts peers. Learn more about Peer Support Specialists: https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/whats-a-peer-specialist/ Learn about DBSA’s Peer Support Specialist Course: https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/

A Peer Support Specialist is a professional with lived mental health experience who is trained and certified to provide help and encouragement for others who are also working towards wellness. Listen and learn from Douglas&nbsp; Hulst, DBSA’s Peer Specialist Workforce Development Program Manager, as he dives into the concept of peer support and how it benefits those living with depression or bipolar. Also hear from Jennifer, a Peer Support Specialist, who talks about&nbsp; her journey to become a certified specialist, where she works, and how her role impacts peers.&nbsp;Learn more about Peer Support Specialists: <a href="https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/whats-a-peer-specialist/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/whats-a-peer-specialist/</a>Learn about&nbsp; DBSA’s Peer Support Specialist Course:<a href="https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/</a>

A Conversation About Peer Support and Peer Support Specialists

Did you know that your DNA can provide insights that can help with treatment planning? In this episode of the DBSA podcast, we talk to Dr. Mark Pollack, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Affairs of Myriad Neuroscience, about what pharmacogenetic testing is, how the testing works, and what benefits it can offer peers. We also talk to Dennis L., a peer who details his journey with Major Depression and how pharmacogenetic testing helped improve his treatment plan.
 
What is pharmacogenetic testing? This test uses a small sample of your DNA, usually obtained by swabbing the inside of your cheek, to learn how your genetic makeup can affect your response to medication. Doctors use this information as a tool to help make prescription decisions. Along with PGx test results, your age, gender, other medical conditions, and any other drugs you take may also be factors in your doctor’s recommendations about possible treatments.
 
Footnotes:
Learn more about PGx https://www.dbsalliance.org/wellness/treatment-options/what-is-pharmacogenetic-testing/
 
Learn about DBSA Peer Specialist Program
https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/
 
DBSA would like to thank Myriad for supporting this episode.

Did you know that your DNA can provide insights that can help with treatment planning? In this episode of the DBSA podcast, we talk to Dr. Mark Pollack, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Affairs of Myriad Neuroscience, about what pharmacogenetic testing is, how the testing works, and what benefits it can offer peers. We also talk to Dennis L., a peer who details his journey with Major Depression and how pharmacogenetic testing helped improve his treatment plan. What is pharmacogenetic testing? This test uses a small sample of your DNA, usually obtained by swabbing the inside of your cheek, to learn how your genetic makeup can affect your response to medication. Doctors use this information as a tool to help make prescription decisions. Along with PGx test results, your age, gender, other medical conditions, and any other drugs you take may also be factors in your doctor’s recommendations about possible treatments. Footnotes: Learn more about PGx https://www.dbsalliance.org/wellness/treatment-options/what-is-pharmacogenetic-testing/ Learn about DBSA Peer Specialist Program https://www.dbsalliance.org/get-involved/training/ DBSA would like to thank Myriad for supporting this episode.

What is pharmacogenetic testing and how can it help you?

DBSA's Director of Peer Services, Lisa Goodale, speaks with Keith Romero about the innovative Certified Peer Specialists Training. A recovery–oriented concept that is entering the mental healthcare field, Certified Peer Specialists are people diagnosed with mood disorders helping their peers lead successful and happy lives. Goodale details the training process and explains who is eligible for the training as well as where the program is offered.

Certified Peer Specialists

Want to learn more about DBSA's online, real–time groups? Join us for this interactive chat! Online support groups are "a necessary part of our commitment to bring support to everyone who wants it, no matter where they are or how they need it," says Elizabeth Siegel, DBSA's Chapter Relations Manager who currently oversees the online support groups' operation. "We are the only organization offering this kind of virtual, real–time peer support to people with mental illness."
One of the benefits of online support groups (OSGs) is the support it offers to all of those who don't have access to DBSA's local support groups, either because they live too far away or have limited mobility, or because they wish to remain anonymous. One of the challenges that OSG participants face in their text–only world is how to communicate the nonverbal expression that face–to–face groups might take for granted—a simple nod of support or a smile, for example, as someone tells his or her story. Find out how OSG participants and facilitators manage these challenges and reap the benefits of connecting with peers online.

Want to learn more about DBSA's online, real–time groups? Join us for this interactive chat! Online support groups are "a necessary part of our commitment to bring support to everyone who wants it, no matter where they are or how they need it," says Elizabeth Siegel, DBSA's Chapter Relations Manager who currently oversees the online support groups' operation. "We are the only organization offering this kind of virtual, real–time peer support to people with mental illness." One of the benefits of online support groups (OSGs) is the support it offers to all of those who don't have access to DBSA's local support groups, either because they live too far away or have limited mobility, or because they wish to remain anonymous. One of the challenges that OSG participants face in their text–only world is how to communicate the nonverbal expression that face–to–face groups might take for granted—a simple nod of support or a smile, for example, as someone tells his or her story. Find out how OSG participants and facilitators manage these challenges and reap the benefits of connecting with peers online.

Online Support Groups

Roberta Maxwell Public Service Announcement - Meditation by DBSAlliance

Roberta Maxwell Public Service Announcement - Meditation

Michael Cerveris Public Service Announcement - Suicide by DBSAlliance

Michael Cerveris Public Service Announcement - Suicide

Brian Kerwin Public Service Announcement - Accepting Your Disorder by DBSAlliance

Brian Kerwin Public Service Announcement - Accepting Your Disorder

Lookingglass Theater Public Service Announcement by DBSAlliance

Lookingglass Theater Public Service Announcement

Jim Piddock Public Service Announcement - When Life Seems Overwhelming by DBSAlliance

Jim Piddock Public Service Announcement - When Life Seems Overwhelming

Jack Wetherall Public Service Announcement - Sleep by DBSAlliance

Jack Wetherall Public Service Announcement - Sleep

It's not only the people afflicted that suffer with a mood disorder, the parents who love their children so much struggle as well.  We hear from several parents on the things that they go through while helping their children through life.

It's not only the people afflicted that suffer with a mood disorder, the parents who love their children so much struggle as well. We hear from several parents on the things that they go through while helping their children through life.

Parents of Children With Mood Disorders Suffer Too

On this episode we give some common responses to some common anti-psychiatry claims.  On our last episode, we went over five common claims made by the anti-psychiatry/anti-psychology movement and this time we aim to answer them.

On this episode we give some common responses to some common anti-psychiatry claims. On our last episode, we went over five common claims made by the anti-psychiatry/anti-psychology movement and this time we aim to answer them.

Responses to Common Anti-psychiatry Claims

On this episode, we take a closer look at the experience of loneliness and go over one clear method in order to deal with it.  In addition, we introduce our new co-host, Catie.

On this episode, we take a closer look at the experience of loneliness and go over one clear method in order to deal with it. In addition, we introduce our new co-host, Catie.

Loneliness Part II

On this show we go over several ways to get involved fighting stigma on campus.  We also interview Active Minds founder, Alison Malmon.  Activeminds.org is an organization with over 200 chapters on campuses across the nation that fights stigma and gets conversations started about mental health.

On this show we go over several ways to get involved fighting stigma on campus. We also interview Active Minds founder, Alison Malmon. Activeminds.org is an organization with over 200 chapters on campuses across the nation that fights stigma and gets conversations started about mental health.

Advocacy On Campus

DBSA podcasts feature some of the nation’s leading experts on mental health, covering a wide range of topics dealing with depression, bipolar, anxiety, and more. Listen and learn about treatment options, personal wellness strategies, relationships, and more.

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