DBSA's national office is often asked, "What can I do to help?" Here are fourteen ways to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders locally. You may want to further modify this list to help your own local group involve volunteers.

1. Our local chapters really need people to help keep the groups going. Work to get the word out that your group exists by creating and distributing brochures, posters and calling the local newspaper. Help your group with its day-to-day business by volunteering to fold newsletters, answer phone calls from the public, help with a web site, facilitate support group meetings, develop new programs, etc.

2. Promote education about our illnesses by placing brochures in libraries, grocery stores, churches and synagogues (we'll give you a supply).

3. Contact your area schools and offer a supply of our suicide prevention cards to hand out as well as copies of our "Just a Mood" brochure.

4. Organize a local event to raise awareness (and money). Some ideas: a walk, a comedy club, a dinner, a "market day."

5. Work with your public library to stock some of the books on mood disorders recommended by our scientific and patient advisory boards.

6. Bring DBSA educational materials into area doctor's offices and encourage them to hand materials out or place them in waiting rooms. Or bring materials to the local police and counseling centers to encourage their use and distribution of information about mood disorders.

7. Write letters to the editor when you read something that perpetuates the stigma of mental illness.

8. Ask your local hospital to host a new DBSA support group - perhaps for teens, families, or people with dual diagnoses.

9. Ask your cable station and area hospital(s) to use our videotapes to educate others about depression and bipolar disorder.

10. Write to your legislators to support insurance parity and other issues of concern. Then track the legislation and send an e-mail or fax to their legislators from the DBSA web site.

11. Ask your local paper and radio stations to cover mood disorders, and offer group members as people willing to be interviewed.

12. Encourage your friends and neighbors to go online and take a confidential depression and/or bipolar disorder screening test and seek treatment if it is indicated, so that no one suffers needlessly.

13. Donate financially and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

14. If you are a professional (e.g., attorney, accountant, computer expert, etc.), volunteer your professional services to your local chapter.