Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: DBSA
Mailing Address: 55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 490
City: Chicago
State: Illinois
Postal Code: 60606
Main Phone: 312.642.0049
Main Fax: 312.642.7243
Organization Website: www.dbsalliance.org
Employer ID Number: 36-3379124
Organization Tax Status: 501 c 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/21/2022
Requested Amount: $8,000

Project Title: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Teen Advisory Council
Project Description:

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides hope, help, support, and education for people living with mood disorders across their lifespan. Public health professionals too often develop resources to support teens without teens’ input. As an organization rooted in peer support, DBSA believes we will learn best how to help teens by working with teens themselves.

Through this project, we intend to assemble a Teen Advisory Council (Council) in January 2023. High school students (ages 15-18) from across the United States will convene monthly via video conference. The group will be a mix of teens who identify with lived experience or allyship of those living with depression or bipolar.

DBSA seeks the Council’s contribution in understanding the issues impacting teens’ mental health in real-time. As a result, we will learn and understand how best to support teens living with mood disorders, tactics to reduce stigma among teens, and what resources may best accomplish this. This will enable DBSA to build relevant resources informed by teens themselves.

Living with a mental health condition can feel disempowering. We believe participation on the Council, in a safe community of peers, teen participants will feel emboldened as leaders and take pride in their contributions.

By the end of the program year, we will develop strategies and a work plan to execute them based on the recommendations of the Council.

Total Project Budget: $12,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): DBSA seeks support from our Balanced Mind Parent Network (BMPN). BMPN is a community of parents and caregivers who are raising children living with mood disorders.

Project Duration: one year
Geographical Area Served: National
Age Group To Be Served: 14-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Maria
Contact Last Name: Margaglione
Contact Title: Director of Programs
Contact Phone: 312.988.1153
Contact Email: mmargaglione@dbsalliance.org