Depression Support Groups

Some say this is the most wonderful time of the year. But for many, the holiday season causes stress, memories and other feelings that can trigger or contribute to depression. For our friends in southwestern Pennsylvania who could use extra support this time of year, take a look at the following support groups for individuals with depression and bipolar disorder. Thank you to the Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance for providing us with the updated list below.

Depression and Bipolar Support Groups

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Pittsburgh (DBSA-Pittsburgh)
The Big D: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Oakland: Western Psychiatric Hospital, 4th Floor, Room 413
Contact: Ray Millsap 412-379-3902

Mood Support for Manic Depressive and Bipolar Disorder
2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Mt. Lebanon: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rt.19
(Washington Rd. & Mayflower Rd.)
Contact: Tony (cell) 412-779-5834

Bipolar and Manic Depression Support Group
Every Tuesday 7-8 p.m.
Butler: Grapevine Drop-In Center, 221 West Brady St.
Contact: Bette Peoples
724-283-1704

Westmoreland County
Depression & Bipolar Support Group
1st Tuesday 11 a.m. to 1p.m. & 3rd Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Greensburg: 409 Coulter Ave., Suite 409
Contact: Julie Kostenbader 724-858-7533

Depression Support Group
1st Thursday @ 7:30 p.m.
Bethel Park: Christ United Methodist Church Youth Center
44 Highland Rd., Rte 19 (across from Village Square)
Contact: Duba Weinstein 412-344-6600 Ext.2320

For more information on depression or bipolar disorder, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

Esperanza Article: The Ripple Effect



 Some rights reserved by robin_24

When one person in a relationship is dealing with depression, it often affects their partner. An online excerpt from the Esperanza article "The Ripple Effect" states that "research published in BMC Public Health in August 2010 found that spouses of those with mental illnesses, including depression, were more apt to exhibit signs of anxiety and depression themselves." The article excerpt also includes tips for keeping your mental health balanced if your partner or spouse is dealing with depression.

When a loved one struggles with a mental illness, it's important for family members to be informed and supported. For information, support and advocacy resources, visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's website or call the office at (412) 366-3788.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Depression Research Study for Adults Age 60 and Older

 Some rights reserved by bravenewtraveler

Are you 60 and older and experiencing symptoms of depression including sadness, loss of pleasure in activities, sleeping difficulties, poor concentration, guilt or feelings of worthlessness?


If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that will test whether adding a second medication will help treat depression better in older people who do not achieve a full recovery with antidepressant medication alone.

Participation in the study lasts between three and 10 months.  No fees are charged to participants for taking part in this study.  For more information, please contact Jill Houle at 412-246-6006.  Visit the Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Center website for more information.

For more information about mental health and wellness,  be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Dealing with Winter Blues

Some rights reserved by mysza831

The last few weeks of the winter holidays are upon us, as are the shortest days of the year.  What can we do to boost our mood and keep things merry and bright?

The article "Lighten up!  How to beat back winter blues" provides suggestions for deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is described as periods of depression that correspond with the seasons of the year, usually occurring in fall or winter.  The article advises exercise, healthy eating and sunlight exposure for dealing with symptoms commonly associated with SAD (depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, carbohydrate-craving and weight gain or loss).

For more information about mental health issues related to the winter season, read our recently posted holiday tips provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) and look over our post featuring a Mental Health America article about stress and depression during the holiday season. As always, visit our website for more information about mental health and wellness!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Coping with Stress and Depression During the Holidays

It's early November, and the holiday season is just around the corner! The holidays can be a time of joy and excitement, but for many, they can also contribute to stress and depression.

According to the Mental Health America (MHA) article, "Holiday Depression and Stress," many factors can contribute to the "holiday blues" including unrealistic expectations, fatigue, financial constraints and the demands of family. The article includes simple tips and reminders for dealing with holiday pressures before, during and after the festivities.

Looking to stay connected to NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania on the web? Subscribe to our blog RSS feed and visit us at our website for more information about mental health and wellness.

Photo: Thanksgiving Dealies, Some rights reserved by Martin Cathrae

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Spotlight: LEAD Pittsburgh

Today, staff members at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania met with Toni Macpherson, the Executive Director of LEAD Pittsburgh. The LEAD Pittsburgh website describes the organization as

"a unique community initiative advocating for the recognition and acceptance of depression as a treatable medical condition and for the need to eliminate barriers to treatment. LEAD Pittsburgh addresses issues surrounding depression in a collaborative manner with the institutions in the community where change can be effected. The intent is to draw attention to the magnitude of the problems associated with untreated depression and to help identify each institution's role in overcoming the barriers that exist."

The LEAD Pittsburgh website offers a variety of information, including the signs and symptoms of clinical depression, information about depression for employers and a links page for related resources. For more information about LEAD, its mission and programs, email info@leadpittsburgh.org or call 412-444-3520.

Want to keep up with NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania on the web? Subscribe to our blog RSS feed, and visit us at our website for more information about mental health.

LEAD Pittsburgh Logo: © LEAD Pittsburgh, All Rights Reserved


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Pets for Depression and Health

Some rights reserved by NontrivialMatt

Pets can be a wonderful source of unconditional love and companionship, but did you know that having a pet can increase your sense of well-being and help improve mild to moderate depression? 

In the WebMD article "Pets for Depression and Health", Kathleen Doheny explores the role a pet can play in improving mood, relieving loneliness and impacting overall health.

For more information and resources about depression and other mood disorders, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website!

Friday Five: Facts About Aging and Depression

Some rights reserved by ulrichkarljoho

- The risk of depression in the elderly increases with other illnesses and when ability to function becomes limited. Estimates of major depression in older people living in the community range from less than one percent to about five percent, but rises to 13.5 percent in those who require home healthcare and to 11.5 percent in elderly hospital patients.

- An estimated five million have subsyndromal depression, symptoms that fall short of meeting the full diagnostic criteria for a disorder.

-  Depressive disorder is not a normal part of aging. Emotional experiences of sadness, grief, response to loss and temporary “blue” moods are normal. Persistent depression that interferes significantly with ability to function is not.

- Health professionals may mistakenly think that persistent depression is an acceptable response to other serious illnesses and the social and financial hardships that often accompany aging - an attitude often shared by older people themselves. This contributes to low rates of diagnosis and treatment in older adults.

 - Depression can and should be treated when it occurs at the same time as other medical illnesses. Untreated depression can delay recovery or worsen the outcome of these other illnesses.


(This week's Friday Five facts are from the National Institute of Mental Health's "Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts" fact sheet. For more information about depression and other mental illnesses, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.)

On Father's Day: Do New Dads Get Depressed?

As Father's Day nears, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that amid the excitement of a new child's birth, some new fathers may be equally at-risk for what is usually called postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers. The study has challenged traditional understanding of PPD and sparked an interesting public dialogue. The greatest impact of the study may be underscoring the need for more PPD research in both men and women.

According to NPR, the JAMA study reveals that as many 10 percent of men whose partners are pregnant experience an onset of depression anywhere from three months prior to the baby's birth up to the child's first birthday. The incidence of depression in new fathers is twice the typical rate of depression in men and also corresponds with the rate of postpartum depression in women.

PPD traditionally has been defined as a temporary mood disturbance in women following childbirth. Symptoms may include experiencing insomnia, uncontrollable bouts of crying and thoughts of harming oneself or the child.

While previous studies have suggested that hormonal changes in women directly related to pregnancy and childbirth are a key factor in postpartum depression, some researchers point out that men also experience hormonal changes associated with stress, sleep deprivation and anxiety related to the birth of a new child.

Untreated depression in either parent can have a serious impact on the health and well-being of a family unit, resulting in strained or broken relationships and increased risk for substance abuse and even suicide.

Visit www.nami.org/depression to learn more about symptoms, medications and treatment.  For more information on mental illness, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website. 

Vote For Suicide Prevention

The American Federation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has a chance to be awarded one million dollars in the "Chase Community Giving" program being conducted on Facebook.

This week only (through Friday, Jan. 22), Facebook users can vote for up to five non-profit organizations among 100 that were nominated in an earlier round. If AFSP receives the top award, it will expand a pilot depression awareness and suicide prevention program to college campuses nationwide.

You must be a Facebook user to participate.

-Click here to go to its website and follow instructions on how to vote.

-Tell as many family and friends as possible through "social networking" means suck as Facebook and Twitter or by simply forwarding this notice to them by e-mail

-Ask them to vote and also help spread the word to as many people as possible by Friday, Jan 22

-Suicide is the third leading cause of death among college age youth.

For more information on Suicide and other mental illness, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

Link Between Teens, Sleep & Depression

As reported today by CBS News, a new study shows that teens who don't get enough sleep are more likely to suffer from depression and have suicidal thoughts.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York found that earlier bedtimes can help protect adolescents from such tendencies.

That goes against the common perception that teens need less sleep than people in other age groups. It's been estimated that teens need a little more than nine hours of sleep per night.

To view the two-minute clip that appeared this morning on The Early Show, click here.

For more information on depression and other mental illnesses, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.

New Research on Depression

Americans do not believe they know much about depression but are highly aware of the risks of not receiving care, according to a survey released today by the NAMI National.

The survey reveals a "three-dimensional" measurement of responses from members of the general public who do not know anyone with depression, caregivers of adults diagnosed with depression, and adults actually living with the illness.

• Seventy-one percent said they are not familiar with depression, but 68 percent or more know specific consequences that can come from not receiving treatment--including suicide.
• Sixty-two percent believe they know some symptoms of depression, but 39 percent said they do not know many or any at all.

One major finding: almost 50 percent of caregivers who responded had been diagnosed with depression themselves, but only about 25 percent of them said they were engaged in treatment.
Almost 60 percent of people living with depression reported that they rely on their primary care physicians rather than mental health professionals for treatment. Medication and "talk therapy" are primary treatments--if a person can get them--but other options are helpful.

• Fifteen percent of people living with depression use animal therapy with 54 percent finding it to be "extremely" or "quite" helpful. Those using prayer and physical exercise also ranked them high in helpfulness (47 percent and 40 percent respectively).
• When people living with depression discontinue medication or talk therapy, cost is a common reason, but other significant factors include a desire "to make it on my own" and, in the case of medicine, side effects.

"The survey reveals gaps and guideposts on roads to recovery," said NAMI National Executive Director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "It tells what has been found helpful in treating depression. It can help caregivers better anticipate stress that will confront them. It reflects issues that need to be part of ongoing health care reform."


"There are many treatment strategies," said NAMI Medical Director Ken Duckworth. "What often works is a combination of treatments that fit a person and their lifestyle."


"Research indicates that a combination of medication and psychotherapy are most effective. But physical exercise, prayer, music therapy, yoga, animal therapy and other practices all can play a role.


"The good news is that 80 percent or more of the public recognize that depression is a medical illness, affecting people of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups, which can be treated."


Harris Interactive conducted the survey for NAMI online between Sept. 29 and Oct. 7, 2009. Participants included 1,015 persons who did not known anyone diagnosed with depression, 513 persons living with depression and 263 caregivers of a family member or significant other diagnosed with depression.


See full survey results by clicking here.


All information above provide by NAMI National -- the National Alliance on Mental Illness -- which is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.


NAMI has over 1,100 state and local affiliates, including NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, which provides support education and advocacy for individuals living with a mental illness, their families, professionals and the community.