Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Berkeley holds meetings every Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Church in Goose Creek from 7 to 8 p.m. for those struggling with depression and bipolar disorders and their family members.  
To make things more conducive for discussions, the two disorders have been broken into two classrooms. If you have bipolar disorder and currently only have depression problems to deal with one week, you can feel free to sit in with the depression group.  At the same time, those with depression do not necessarily have to sit in with those who have bipolar disorder problems.  
The meetings begin in room 5 of the All Ministers’ Center behind the church, before the groups are split into two classrooms after everyone checks in.
            If you have been to a meeting and just “don’t feel like you fit in,” come see if this new format might make it better for you.  
One in five persons have problems or knows someone with mental illness, either depression or another mental illness.   
            We are here to help each other – talking things through does make things feel better, at least for a little while.  No one is going to say anything like “just get over it” – we know that doesn't work.  You will find a loving, caring group of people who know what you are going through.  Your family members will find someone who knows what they are going through in the once-a-month family classes.
            For more information, please call Pat or Abe Merriam at (843) 569-7563 or e-mail us at DBSABerkeley@bellsouth.net