Support Group Frequently Asked
Questions
How old do
you have to be to attend the meetings?
Any age is
fine, however those under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Do I need to
register?
No you do not
need to register to attend a support group meeting. If there are name
tags provided we do ask that you put your first name on one and wear it.
Is there any
fee to attend the meetings?
No, there is
no fee required to attend a support group meeting. However some groups do
occasionally pass a basket for voluntary donations.
How many
people attend your groups?
Group size varies
from week to week. In general, some meetings have as few as six in
attendance and others can have as many as 20 in attendance. If a group is
too large it may be divided into smaller groups to encourage better
discussions.
What topics
are discussed at the meetings?
We discuss
anything related to a mood disorder diagnosis and our dealing with living with
them. There is no planned subject or agenda. The subject develops
as the meeting goes on based on what those in attendance want to talk about
that week.
Can I cry in
a meeting?
Yes, we often
have people in attendance cry and it is never a problem.
Will I be
expected to talk during the group sessions?
Not if you
don't want to. You are welcome to sit and listen if you are more comfortable
not sharing aloud. However, we do find that most who do not think they
are going to speak end up being comfortable enough to do so.
Are the
meetings confidential?
Yes, we ask
that all those in attendance keep what they hear and who they see confidential
and within the group only.
Can I bring
my spouse/family member/friend with me to the meeting?
Yes! We
welcome family and friends who are also interested in learning about the
disorder and how people deal with it.
Do you
provide childcare?
No.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare services.
Is the
person who facilitates the meeting a doctor or professional?
No, the nature
of peer support is that the facilitator of the group is a layperson, just like
everybody else in the group, and not a professional in the field. In
order to facilitate the meeting and make it run smoothly all of our
facilitators have been trained and certified to run a meeting.
Does DBSA have a crisis hotline or
counselors on staff that I can talk to?
DBSA doesn’t
have a crisis hotline and we do not offer counseling services. If you are in
need of immediate crisis assistance, please call 911 or the Crisis Center at
211.
Can
people at the meeting tell me the best medications to take?
Any questions
you may have regarding medications and/or treatment should be answered by your
doctor or someone trained and qualified to do so, such as your pharmacist. DBSA
can provide you with resources that may be beneficial in helping you learn more
about medications.
Can DBSA
refer me to the best doctors?
No. We
strongly recommend that you do see a mental health profession; however we do
not recommend any particular doctor nor do we maintain a list of “best”
doctors.