Serving the Community since 1994

Founded in 1994, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Colorado Springs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, independent affiliate of DBSA, the nation’s leading patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. DBSA Colorado Springs is a secular non-partisan organization.

8

Support Groups

4400

Attendees Each Year

4000

Volunteer Hours

10

Outreach Events

Our Mission

Enrich the lives of people living with mood disorders through innovative peer programs, impactful education, and collaborative partnerships.

Our Vision

DBSA Colorado Springs envisions a future where all people living with mood disorders thrive in a supportive community of understanding and resilience.

Statement of Support

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) would like to wish Senator John Fetterman the very best on his recovery. DBSA recognizes the impact his courageous decision to share his diagnosis has been for so many in this country who live in the shadows, fearful to seek help.

More than 21 million individuals in the U.S. are living with mood disorders. Senator Fetterman may be only one of those millions, but his high profile elevates the discussion and shows that it’s okay to talk about one’s lived experience of a mental health condition. At DBSA, our peer support groups offer a safe space for group members to share whatever is on their mind and we encourage individuals living with a mood disorder to take part in these groups.

DBSA has programs that provide hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people with mood disorders. In many households, the subject of mental health is still taboo. Senator Fetterman’s decision to publicly disclose his diagnosis goes a long way toward helping DBSA’s goal to eliminate stigma.

2024 Board of Directors

Governing Directors

  • Marissa Valdez – President – riss.valdez@outlook.com
  • Rhonda Greder – Vice President – rgreder62@gmail.com
  • Brian Allen – Secretary
  • Myranda Johnson – Treasurer
  • Saverio Greto
  • Malieck Lee
  • Jeff Venable
  • Aarav Varma
  • Larry Ritterband
  • Sean Sackinger
  • Lori Salgado
  • Jennifer Grubb, LPC

Professional Advisor

  • Dr. Ian Peters, DO, MPH, FAPA

Professional Consultant

  • Bridget Ballard-Cummins

Board Member Emeritus

  • Karen Fallahi
  • Sia Fallahi

DBSA-CS Board meetings are open to all. For information about times and location, call DBSA-CS at 719-477-1515.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please feel free to discuss them directly with your group’s facilitator, or contact: Rhonda Greder @ rgreder62@gmail.com OR Riss Valdez @ rissmalloy@msn.com You can speak to us privately and confidentially, if desired.

Strategic Plan

Download the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan

Annual Report

Download the 2017 Annual Report

Our Programs and Services

Mental Health Awareness Presentations

Presentations for 5 or 500

We will customize to meet your needs! Students, parents, women’s groups, religious organizations, veterans—you name it!

Resource Center & Library

Free Lending Library

The largest collection of mood disorder- and mental wellness- related resources. Nearly 1,000 books, DVDs, etc.

CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

Free Support Groups

DBSA Colorado Springs provides free, confidential support groups for people living with, or family and friends affected by, mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder.

How We Began

It started with a mother’s love of her son. Erik suffered from bipolar disorder, and when his life was cut short, his mother, Karen Fallahi, went into action.

She founded the Colorado Springs chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (then known as the Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association) in 1994, and 4 people attended the first meeting. Today, we sponsor 11 free self-help support groups for people living with a variety of mood disorders, and their family and friends.

Along with growth and interest in its activities comes the need for more volunteers to do the work of operating the library, producing the newsletter, and facilitating at support group meetings. Teamwork is essential in our operation – if one person is unavailable or not well, another has to be ready to take his or her place. In this manner DBSA-CS builds up its people, gives them a sense of accomplishment, and offers them chances to exercise leadership among their peers, without the fear of criticism or failure.

At Wang Changlin's Retreat

Here, beside a clear deep lake,

You live accompanied by clouds;

Or soft through the pine the moon arrives

To be your own pure-hearted friend.

You rest under thatch in the shadow of your flowers,

Your dewy herbs flourish in their bed of moss.

Let me leave the world. Let me alight, like you,

On your western mountain with phoenixes and cranes.

- Chang Jian -

Frequently Asked Questions

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Colorado Springs is an independent affiliate of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1994. Our motto is “We’ve been there. We can help!” We provide help for people with mental illness through support groups, resources, and connections to other organizations in the community.

There is no cost. DBSA supports groups are free.

Sometimes we need a community to work with and through our struggles.  DBSA Colorado Springs provides free, confidential support groups for people living with, or family and friends affected by, mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder.

Our 11 groups are led by trained peer facilitators, with valuable life experience.  All groups are 90 minutes unless otherwise noted.

There are checklists that can give you an idea about whether or not you suffer from depression or bipolar disorder.  However, it is best to connect with your health care provider or a mental health professional for diagnosis and a care plan.  If you would like more information on depression or bipolar disorder, please visit the DBSA site and look at their screening tools.

Absolutely!  If you think of questions we should add, email your suggestions to us at help@dbsacoloradosprings.org.  Thanks for your help!

For more Frequently Asked Questions about Depression and Bipolar Disorder, visit DBSA National website.