SUPPORT GROUPS

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) all in-person meetings have been moved to an online format. To that end, we are utilizing Zoom to allow participants to connect weekly. For dial-in instructions, please see the Google calendar on this or our Events page.

Sunday

• Sunday Peer Group, weekly on Sundays at 6:00 pm

Monday

• Beltsville Peer Group, second and fourth Mondays at 7:00pm

Tuesday

• LGBTQIA+ Peer Group, first and third Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
• Women's Peer Group, second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

Wednesday

• Mid-Day Peer Group, Wednesdays at 12:00 pm
• Family & Friends Group, first and third Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
• Montgomery County Peer Group, second and fourth Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

Thursday

• Thursday Peer Group, weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 pm
• *In Person* Southern Prince George's County Peer Group, weekly on Thursdays at 7:00 pm
• *In Person* DC Peer Group, weekly on Thursdays

Use the lower righthand icon (+GoogleCalendar) to add these events to your Google Calendar for easy access.

Sharing Guidelines

• PEER SUPPORT:
  We are a peer support group for adults with depression or bipolar disorder.
  Youth with depression or bipolar disorder and family and friends may attend the relevant groups listed on the chapter website.
• SHARE THE AIR:
  We want everyone to have the opportunity to share. Time is limited, so we ask that everyone be respectful of other participants’ share-time needs.
  The facilitator may sometimes need to respectfully and gently interrupt participants to put closure on their share, to ensure there is enough time for everyone to share.
• GIVE BACK:
  We recognize that we often benefit as much by supporting others as we do by receiving support.
• ONE PERSON SHARES AT A TIME:
  Each person will be allowed to share without interruptions or side conversations.
• WHAT IS SAID HERE STAYS HERE:
  This essential principle of confidentiality must be respected by all. Both who attends and what is said must be kept confidential.
• DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ARE OK:
  We are all entitled to our own point of view, and we can agree to disagree.
• WE ARE ALL EQUAL:
  We are a diverse group and accept all types of differences and promote their acceptance.
• USE “I” STATEMENTS:
  Because we do not participate in this support group as credentialed professionals, we do not instruct or advise. Please refrain from making “You should” statements.
  We are unique individuals and only we, along with our doctors and therapists, must determine what is best for our own health. ”I” statement examples: “In my experience I have found…” or “I feel hurt when you say…”
• IT’S OK NOT TO SHARE:
  Participants do not have to share if they do not wish to.
• IT'S  EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THE DISCUSSION GROUPS A SAFE PLACE TO SHARE:
  ​We respect confidentiality, treat each other with respect and kindness, and show compassion.

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