DBSA Greater Houston

Any time a group of people can come together and share their experience, strength and hope with one another, in a safe and well facilitated setting, healing occurs. the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Greater Houston provides for our city a valuable resource that is confidential, validating and supportive for those of us who are either diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorders, or have a loved one who is in recovery.

I’d give DBSA an incomplete since fairly grading them is subjective on the makeup of any given group. My experience with them is mixed at best. I went to two different groups for some months & there were more opinions/​slick ass commentary than rational, civil, & adult input on problems. While not everyone’s guilty, both groups had a healthy population of hypocrites who try to take others to Front Street despite being as much of, if not more than, a broken toy as everybody else in attendance. Of course, this same demographic doesn’t take their own «medicine» well. Most notably, there’s also no guarantee that a mental health professional, such as an established therapist or psychologist/​psychiatrist, will be a moderator and or will keep things on track from what I’ve seen in any given group. The meetings, depending on the individuals, can be more along the lines of a bad reality show rather than anything productive. Do your homework on whatever location you choose to go to is my advice.

one of the coordinators said that i was using their tax money bc am disabled. WT major F uncalled for comment. same person who make a big deal when 1 person commits suicide and another of the group might have done so too but doesn’t even bat an eye– so much for equanimity. totally screwed up to have someone like that as a coordinator. unfortunately this person overshadowed the positive qualities that other coordinators and members have contributed.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Greater Houston is a peer support group for people with the mood disorders of Depression or Bipolar Disorder. The anecdotal accounts of individual struggles and successes with these disorders are the most powerful ameliorative therapy outside of medication. The Houston branch is the local chapter of the national organization in Chicago. The national headquarters sets guidelines for local chapters but there is wide latitude across the country in conformity to those guidelines.
The knowledge that EVERYONE in the group has the mental illness of a mood disorder and, therefore, is not in a superior position to judge or criticize one’s behavior, and, most importantly, KNOWS personally exactly about what one is speaking when describing one’s experiences with mood disorders is essential for the group’s success. This requirement is the catalyst in getting participants to open up.
It would be much better if the thirty or so local groups were self-​sufficient rather than managed from a central office. Much of the groups’ effectiveness is negated thereby. But they are still useful.