Volunteer with DBSA's Helpline!

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Volunteer with DBSA’s Helpline!

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity where you can give back by using the experiences that you’ve gained as an individual living with a mood disorder or as a loved one of someone affected by depression or bipolar disorder?

Can you share your knowledge, wisdom, and support with a peer? If you are a parent or friend of a person living with a mood disorder, will you offer your support and knowledge to help someone with a similar experience? If yes, DBSA’s Helpline may be for you. Help make a difference by providing peers with information and resources that they need when they don’t know where else to turn.

DBSA’s Helpline is for individuals living with depression or bipolar disorder or their friends and family who could benefit from receiving resources specific to their situation or from shared experiences. DBSA’s Helpline is an information and referral resource. It is not a crisis or talk hotline. DBSA’s Helpline does not endorse or recommend the use of any specific treatment or medication; it is not a substitute for professional care. Individuals requesting information from DBSA’s Helpline must be 18 or older.

Individuals using the Helpline leave their questions by email, by completing a simple web-form, or by leaving a voicemail; an assigned volunteer will respond to the request.

How does it work?

• An individual calls the Helpline and leaves a voicemail or completes an online form with a question or concern.
• Our volunteer Helpline Leaders review the request and then assign a member of the volunteer team to respond.
• The assigned volunteer is responsible for emailing or calling the individual who left the question and providing resources.

What training is provided?

• Observation: When your application to become a volunteer is accepted, we will begin by making you a member of the online volunteer group. Here you will see how questions are handled and get a feel for the process.
• Mentorship: Once you are comfortable with the process, we will begin assigning requests to you, along with one of our more seasoned volunteers. This mentor will help you formulate responses.
• Team Member: After you have handled requests with the help of another volunteer, you will then begin to answer requests on your own-but remember, you will always have the support of the other volunteers if you have any questions.

How much time does it take?

You can respond to requests on your own time schedule. If you will be on vacation or have a particularly busy week, you can ask to not have any requests assigned to you. All we ask is that if you agree to handle a request, you do so within 48 hours.