Program offers peer support
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Sarah Goodrich
From left, Emily Moore; Kay Sanders; Denise Westfall; Samantha Halpren, West Virginia Wesleyan College intern; Ryan Zirk; Diana Thompson; and David Whitmoyer, WVWC volunteer, offer support through the Brown Bag by the Bridge program.
BUCKHANNON -- A program organized by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-West Virginia is allowing certified peer supporters to lend an ear to folks struggling with a mood disorder.
Called Brown Bag by the Bridge, the program is available Monday through Friday. It started last February with hopes of having individuals stop by for a free cup of coffee and to chat about their struggles.
From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., at least two peer supporters are available at the Buckhannon location during Brown Bag by the Bridge, offering free support to those who want to bring a lunch or just stop in.
While in a supportive setting, individuals who stop by for lunch or just want to talk can feel safe knowing that what is said is confidential.
Diana Thompson, director of DBSA-WV, said folks can "can expect a warm, friendly peer -- somebody who knows what they're going through."
"We have peers that are in recovery. We have peers that are veterans. We have peers that live with depression, peers that live with bipolar, peers that have schizophrenia, peers that … self harm," she said, noting arrangements can be made for an individual to speak with a peer who has struggled with similar behaviors.
With the Brown Bag program, Thompson said it's key for peer supporters to be available for individuals and "let them know that we know what they're dealing with."
"We're peers. We're not professionals," she stressed, adding, "We've been there. We can help."
Because the peer supporters are not professionals, Thompson said when it comes to referring folks to therapists and specialists, they can only make suggestions.
"We wouldn't refer a person to a specific doctor. We would suggest that they find one, and we have a list of psychiatrists," she said, adding West Virginia only has 82 psychiatrists in the whole state.
Throughout the room, there are many, many pamphlets, magazines and books completely free for those who want to understand their disorder better or who are seeking further help.
"It's free for people who want to come in and take some literature home with them," said Thompson, adding that taking booklets home for a friend or family member is always an option as well.
Peer supporters are able to relate to those struggling with a variety of challenges.
"They know what it's like to struggle with depression. They know what it's like to try to get out of bed when you don't feel like it. They know what's like to have mania and go on shopping sprees and spend bunches of money that they don't have," she said.
As a West Virginia Wesleyan College volunteer for the program, David Whitmoyer said participants are accepted as who they are.
"Don't force them to change. We can't do that. That's not what we're here for," Whitmoyer said. "We're just accepting people. Whoever walks in we welcome, and offer a cup of coffee. Talk if you like, if you don't want to talk you don't have to. Just breath the same air we do."
More information on Brown Bag by the Bridge is available by calling 304-609-2662 or emailing DBSAWV@outlook.com. The group also can be found on Facebook.