The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (National DMDA) is the nation’s largest patient-directed, illness-specific organization. National DMDA is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors; our bylaws require that at least 51% of board members be diagnosed with depression or manic depression. Incorporated in 1986 and based in Chicago, Illinois, we represent the voices of more than 20 million American adults living with depression and the additional 2.5 million adults living with manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder.
Our Mission
To educate patients, families, professionals and the public concerning the nature of depressive and manic-depressive illnesses as treatable medical diseases; to foster self-help for patients and families; to eliminate discrimination and stigma; to improve access to care; and to advocate for research toward the elimination of these illnesses.
Our History
The first small support groups that would ultimately emerge to create a new national organization sprang up informally and independently in the late 1970s and early 1980s, many with the support and encouragement of Jan Fawcett, M.D., chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. In Seattle, another group made a video about manic-depression. A woman in St. Louis, whose husband suffered from the illness, saw the video and decided to start a support group there.
As local groups learned from each other’s expertise, a desire to discuss becoming a national organization began to grow. In 1982, representatives from existing chapters met in Chicago and formed a steering committee to build a national organization. By 1985, the name National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, a statement of purpose and an structure had been adopted for the organization. On May 12, 1986, the formation of the new organization was announced at a Capitol Hill Press Conference, followed by a congressional reception. The word was out!
What We Do
National DMDA individually touches more than 1 million people each year, and the millions who read about depression and bipolar illness through our extensive media outreach. More than 5,000 calls per month are personally answered on our toll-free information and referral line and our website receives more than 35,000 unique visitors monthly. Each year we distribute more than 50,000 information packets free of charge to anyone requesting information about mood disorders.
National DMDA’s prestigious 66-member Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is comprised of the leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mood disorders. SAB members review all National DMDA publications and programs for medical and scientific accuracy. In addition, SAB members present at National DMDA conferences, author peer-reviewed manuscripts on behalf of the organization and represent National DMDA to the media.
National DMDA has a grassroots network of more than 800 patient-run support groups that hold regular meetings across the United States and Canada. More than 50,000 people attend DMDA meetings every year. Support groups play an important role in recovery with more than 85% of support group members reporting that their group helped with treatment compliance. This is a key finding because treatment compliance means fewer hospital stays, which in turn means lower insurance costs and greater employee productivity.
National DMDA publishes brochures, books and videotapes about the treatment of mood disorders, all available free of charge or for a nominal fee. National DMDA is focused on the person living with a mood disorder and its publications have no medical and scientific jargon, and convey a message of hope and optimism. All National DMDA education materials are reviewed by at least one person with a mood disorder for relevance.
National DMDA advocates in Washington, D.C. on behalf of people living with mood disorders, providing congressional testimony and ensuring the voice of the consumer is heard. Our support groups often advocate in their state capitals.
National DMDA hosts an annual conference for its constituents, hosts international scientific conferences on critical issues related to mood disorder research, and sponsors consumer surveys on issues of importance to those living with mood disorders.
Throughout its history, National DMDA has taken, and will continue to take, a leadership role in educating patients, their families, physicians, mental health professionals and the public at large about depression and manic-depression, their symptoms and warning signs and, most importantly, the emerging treatments and medications that new research are identifying and are holding
great promise.
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