From Struggle to Strength
​DBSA Northridge Depression Connection
OUR MISSION
Fostering Connections, Transforming Lives
DBSA Northridge Depression Connection is dedicated to inspiring hope and empowering individuals with mood disorders to reclaim their lives. We foster a supportive, inclusive space where every voice is heard and valued. Through peer-led support groups and educational events, we provide the tools to overcome challenges, build resilience, and thrive.
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Together, we break stigma, promote suicide prevention, and uplift those facing mental health struggles. By embracing shared experiences, we help individuals find acceptance, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose.
End Stigma.
End Slience.
End Suicide.
OUR VISION
Finding Strength, Breaking Stigma,
Building Community
Our vision is a world where everyone facing mental health challenges finds strength, connection, and belonging within a compassionate community. We strive to break stigma, foster understanding, and ensure that no one walks their journey alone.
A Journey of Healing and Advocacy
In 2007, after a failed suicide attempt and feeling isolated under the weight of bipolar disorder, I joined the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Together with a small group of dedicated individuals, we started the DBSA Northridge Chapter at Northridge Hospital to create a safe, supportive space for those facing mental health challenges.
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My journey to this point was shaped by profound experiences. My struggles began early—my first suicide attempt was at age 10 (where suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death).
In 1972, I served as a Combat Motion Picture Photographer, and just a year later, I returned home after losing my mother to suicide.
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Over the next 25 years, I ran multiple companies and lived a high-energy lifestyle—fueled, in hindsight, by undiagnosed bipolar disorder, mania, and substance abuse. There were multiple suicide attempts along the way. I wasn’t diagnosed with bipolar disorder until 2001, at age 50.
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Even with medication, I continued to battle depression and mania. The turning point came in 2007, when I found DBSA. This community connected me with compassionate peers from all walks of life, offering acceptance, empathy, and a sense of belonging. DBSA Northridge became a lifeline—not just for me, but for countless others—bringing hope and healing where isolation once lived.
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Wishing you strength and hope on your journey.
Jeff Fox, Founding Member