Meet Our Dedicated Facilitators
Our Volunteer Facilitators fulfill the promise of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance California:
“We’ve been there. We can help.”
Our team is made of Peers leading Peers. The facilitators bring their lived experience overcoming mental health challenges and model recovery in action.
Peer Facilitators act as guides in the group discussion to provide a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for all members.
Olivia Mercedes
Olivia is a perpetually overwhelmed human who relies on creative mediums to process the intense spectrum of her conscious experience. Her poetry has been published in various places, her artwork has been included in a variety of exhibits, she has been a guest speaker at multiple events, but her most beloved accolades are the moments of real-life connection in response to her authenticity. She finds great honor and gratitude in inspiring someone to feel, to question, to learn, to heal, to express, and ultimately to be more fully human.
Adam Bernier
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Adam thrives with bipolar type 1. He is a computer programmer, recreational hockey player, and hobbyist artist.
April Beth Marshall
April joins DBSA California from Kansas City, MO. She brings years of experience as the founder of the Santa Clutch Donation Drive, creative director of the Proud Pronoun Project, and founder of TransOutLoud.org and Queer Connections. A seasoned peer support facilitator, she's passionate about helping others. April is a devoted dog mom who loves Halloween, road trips, karaoke, and outdoor adventures.
Mark W. Curran
Mark is a Certified Peer Support Specialist practicing in Southern California. With an extensive background in support group facilitation, Mark's own journey through substance abuse recovery and anxiety/depressive disorders informs his work helping others cope with their own difficult life journey. He currently leads online peer support groups to assist people in recovery.
Bella Rose
Bella is a DBSA certified Peer Support Specialist and facilitates the Wednesday evening Zoom meetings. She holds a Master of Science degree in Education and has over 35 years of experience teaching kids, teens, and adults. Ms. Rose is a multi-award-winning writer and author, and small business owner.
Kurt Schmitt
Kurt believes in E Pluribus Unum—that everyone with goodwill can contribute meaningfully to society, regardless of individual challenges, but it takes the active engagement of every member of commmunity to achieve it. After moving to Seattle, Kurt was diagnosed with S.A.D. He overcame it and thrived. This experience motivated him to actively support those living with the often invisible and misunderstood burden of mood disorders, so all can prosper.
Michelle Nelson
San Diego native Michelle Nelson has served in healthcare for over 20 years, from nursing assistant to leadership. Finding solace in poetry since childhood, she recently published "A Dark Way Home." A passionate volunteer with Alzheimer's San Diego and DBSA CA, Michelle also enjoys watching basketball, football, and is a competitive participant in fantasy football.
Brandon Nash
“Nash” is a retired, disabled senior dedicated to remaining socially active and engaged with his community. He is trained as a Peer Support Specialist and is also a member of the Self Advocacy Speakers Bureau for Disability Rights of California. He has been a theatre artist, a photographer, and a media production technician. Having just caught the last part of a film titled “Photon” by Norman Leto and Lightcraft, Nash declares that his superpower is the ability to embrace alternative perspectives, or viewpoints. He developed this ability through creative crafting in numerous media. It is important because it allows him free travel between wherever he is and the “There” where he’s got to get (is supposed to be).
Anne Parnell
Anne is a law student in Berkeley, California. She started attending DBSA groups in 2019 in San Diego and has since become a peer facilitator. Through her facilitation, she hopes group members can find self-compassion by giving empathy and kindness to others. Having a mental illness can be very isolating, and having a community of peers engaging with the same problems can make such a difference. In her free time, Anne enjoys zumba, jiu-jitsu, and hiking.
Sheryle Burnett
When Sheryle was 15 years old, she wanted to become a professional matchmaker because she believed there was a special someone for everyone. This was the beginning of her understanding of the importance of human connection. As she grew into adulthood, this perception was transformed into the realization that we are interconnected and, moreover, we possess the very powerful and amazing ability to heal, enrich and fortify not only ourselves, but others through this connection. The work Sheryle does with DBSA allows her the opportunity to experience and witness this with every group that she’s a part of. Let's continue to heal!
Len Byrd
Len discovered DBSA in 2011, and began facilitating since 2022. In addition to facilitating support groups, she has recently initiated an Arts & Crafts group and conducted Vision Boarding workshops. She believes that DBSA is more than a support system— it’s a community for all of us. Aside form DBSA, Len also volunteers with Hospice, spending time for those in need of kindness during the last stage of their life. Len’s hobbies include poetry, painting, jewelry making, and much more.