How Support Groups Help

The first place I found ‘shelter from the storm’ was at my DBSA support group meeting, where I bonded with new, accepting friends and found role models who gave me faith that recovery was possible.
–DBSA support group participant

The 25 million Americans coping with mood disorders and their families need a greater understanding of how these illnesses affect their lives.We all need support from people who have been there and who understand our journey. After proper diagnosis and treatment, the support from others is vital to a lifetime of wellness. DBSA support groups can provide that support and much more.

DBSA support groups:

  • give you the opportunity to reach out to others and benefit from the experience of those who have "been there."
  • motivate you to follow your wellness plan.
  • help you understand that a mood disorder does not define who you are.
  • help you rediscover strengths and humor you may have thought you had lost.
  • provide a forum for mutual acceptance, understanding and self-discovery.

Remember, support groups are not a substitute for professional care. DBSA chapters and their support groups do not endorse or recommend the use of any specific treatment or medication. For advice about specific treatment or medication, individuals should consult their physicians and/or mental health professionals.

Find a support group near you.

Learn more about DBSA chapters and support groups.