Support Groups
When you learn that a loved one has been diagnosed with a behavioral health illness, you might feel like there’s nowhere to turn, that no one could possibly understand your pain, concern and helplessness.
But rest assured, these vital programs do exist. And they’ve helped millions of people just like you. We encourage you to find one of these valuable support groups in your hometown.
Bipolar Support Groups:
The mission of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is to provide hope, help, and support to improve the lives of people living with depression or bipolar disorder. DBSA pursues and accomplishes this mission through peer-based, recovery-oriented, empowering services and resources when people want them, where they want them, and how they want them.
The mission of Bipolar World is to provide a secure, interactive, self-help environment for individuals with Bipolar Disorder to meet, share, and support each other. Provide timely information and education about Bipolar Disorder — what it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. Connect visitors with advice through web links with professionals. Treat all individuals as equal, and to do our part to eradicate stigma as related to mental illness in general, and bipolar disorder in particular. Provide peripheral support where possible to families and friends.
Schizophrenia Support Groups:
NAMI’s support and public education efforts are focused on educating America about mental illness, offering resources to those in need, and insisting that mental illness become a high national priority. Mental illness is a serious medical illness that affects one in four families. No one is to blame. Treatment works, but only half of people living with mental illness receive treatment. NAMI has engaged in a variety of activities to create awareness about mental illness and promote the promise of recovery.
The World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (WFSAD) is the only global grassroots organization dedicated to lightening the burden of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses for sufferers and their families.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Groups:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research. We have local chapters across the nation, providing services within each community.
DASN International is an Internet-based support network established to promote respect and dignity for persons with dementia, provide a forum for the exchange of information, encourage support mechanisms such as local groups, counseling groups and Internet linkages, advocate for services for people with dementia and assist people to connect with their local Alzheimer’s Association. DASNI activities currently include an Internet-based support group for people with various dementias and those involved with our well-being. DASNI has an email community. Twice-daily Internet chats in a chat room help ease the isolation of dementia and educates participants about living with their diseases.
Grief and Loss Support Groups:
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.
