2022 DBSA Board Election Question Title * 1. Please select up to 9 candidates Todd: My wife and I first became involved in DBSA in 2009 when a family member suffered from substance induced BiPolar, depression and anxiety. We felt clueless and appreciated the support and information we received at DBSA. Since then, as a way of "paying back" I have been involved in the Board in various roles, and would like to continue to provide my support out of gratitude and admiration for the resiliency of those who journey with mood disorders. Deb: DBSA was exactly the group we needed many years ago when we had someone close to us diagnosed with a mood disorder. I have served as Treasurer for many years and would like to continue on the Board as a way of "giving back" to the organization. I have had the opportunity to meet many people that I admire and challenge us each day to live our best! Miriam: I have been a member of DBSA since 2009, and a board member and facilitator for about 10 years. DBSA has helped me live with my mental health issues, which is why I stepped up into a leadership position, to help others as DBSA helped me. Carolyn: I want to be on the board because I want to see this group continue its good work. I’ve enjoyed helping with different projects that are important to everyone. Kirk: I wish to run on the board for DBSA in 2022. Big believer in group therapy. I've been fortunate to have met some wonderful people at DBSA throughout the years. I like hearing uplifting stories from others and new insights on how to deal with day to day life. These groups matter and help change lives. Amber: Years ago when I looked into the abyss of my PTSD, anxiety,& depression disorder, I felt overwhelmed, confused, angry and broken. My alternative therapy, self directed recovery program has proved effective, energizing, & successful and given me great tools & new self esteem, self confidence, and new energy in life. I want to share these tools and optimism with others suffering from these curable conditions and I can do that by working with this board and these wonderful open, receptive people. Haley: Hello everyone! My name is Haley and I would love to be on the board, because this group has saved my life many times. I would love to be able to help others the way everyone has helped me. This group is very special to me, because every Thursday I walk through that door I feel welcomed and understood. I am so thankful for all of you. Brett: I would like to join the board in order to use the empathy that I possess, that allows me to understand all types of human conditions, to further the mission of the New Hope Chapter and those that attend the meetings. As a leader I operate under the 'servant based' leadership model. That is, my agenda is to not make myself look better, or to brag about what I have achieved, but to listen to what the group/organization's needs and then serve those needs. In the year that I have been attending, this group has grown in a positive way including an increase in meeting attendance. I want to further this growth by increasing our visibility in the community. Steve:I would love to continue to be a part of the DBSA board. I feel that I have a lot to contribute to our group. Since I have been a member of the DBSA board, I feel like I have personally grown a tremendous amount over the past year. I truly enjoy engaging with my friends each week on Thursday nights. I look forward to contributing even more over the next year , and to continue to share my passion in life, which is continuing to help others to successfully navigate our journey in life. Abagail: Abigail was first diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 10, after surviving her first suicide attempt. In the years following, her mental health challenges led to several hospitalizations and a period of chronic homelessness in her late teens and early 20's. This valuable lived experience has helped Abigail in her work as a Certified Peer Support Specialist and advocate in the mental health field. She is proud to serve on the Nebraska Peer Advisory Board and Region 6's Consumer Advisory Team, has spoken nationally at conferences with UNMC's College of Public Health, is a trained WRAP facilitator, is certified in Mental Health First Aid, and currently runs a housing program for people with serious and persistent mental illness. Outside of her work in the mental health field, Abigail is passionate about art, culture, music, and tacos. DBSA has become a huge part of Abigail's joy and wellness in the last year and she would be grateful to have the opportunity give back by serving on the DBSA board. Done