SUPPORT GROUPS

DBSA Support Groups provide a caring environment for people to come together to discuss their challenges and successes in living with a mood disorder, or supporting a loved one with a mood disorder. We provide a forum for mutual understanding, self-discovery, and finding a path to wellness with support from others who have been there.

We have several types of support groups - groups for those living with mood disorders, and for those who support family, friends, and loved ones living with mood disorders; among the groups we have for peers with mood disorders, some are for women and LGBTQIA+ individuals. See below for more information.

Events and Google Calendar

We have resumed in person meetings. Please see the Google calendar for addresses and COVID-19 policy for each host space.

We are utilizing Zoom to allow participants to connect virtually. For dial-in instructions, please see the Google calendar.

To access events and see details, such as in person meeting location or virtual link, you will need to click on the event title (i.e. "Silver Spring Meeting"). The calendar is on the right of this text on desktop, and below the meeting list on mobile.

I​n Person Support Groups - See Calendar for Details

Tuesday

• ​Silver Spring Group, first and third Tuesdays at 6:00 pm

Thursday​

• DC Peer Group, weekly at 7:15 pm​

​Virtual Support Groups - See Calendar for Details

Sunday

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

Monday

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

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, and Loved Ones 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

Google Calendar Links

Special Events | Friends, Family, & Loved Ones Virtual  | Peer In Person | Peer Virtual

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

Meeting 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.

---