- What is the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance of Northwest Connecticut?
- Where and when do you meet?
- What is the meeting format?
- What sorts of speakers do you have?
- What do you mean by an “anonymous” support group?
- What are your credentials?
- What is the DBSA and what do they do?
- What are mood disorders?
- Is this an online support group?
- Is this a kind of therapy?
- Who comes to your group?
- What can I expect from your group, if I attend?
- How big are your groups?
- Torrington’s a long way from me, are there any other groups in Connecticut?
- I don’t live in Connecticut. Can you find a group for me?
- I’m looking for a psychiatrist or therapist in your area. Who do you recommend?
- Can you add a link to my Web site, on your Links page?
1. What is the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance of Northwest Connecticut?
We are an anonymous support group for those suffering from mood disorders, and their friends and family, based in northwestern Connecticut, USA. We are a chapter of the national Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), and our facilitators are certified by MDDA Boston, another DBSA chapter (a long-running support group based at the famous McLean Hospital in suburban Boston). [Back to Top]
2. Where and when do you meet?
We meet at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut, USA, in the Small Dining Room off the main Cafeteria. We meet every Thursday night, including holidays, from 7 to 9 pm. [Back to Top]
3. What is the meeting format?
The first hour or so is a presentation of some sort. Most of the time, the facilitator for the evening will present something; either reading material on mood disorders or related subjects, or videos, activities, etc. Once a month, however, usually on the 3rd Thursday, we invite a speaker. The second half of the group is the “Share & Care” session, in which people share their insights and experiences, make suggestions, ask questions of others, etc. Also, we are not a “12-Step” group. [Back to Top]
4. What sorts of speakers do you have?
These are all professionals in mental health or related fields; psychiatrists, nutritionists, psychologists, clinical social workers, physicians, etc. They vary greatly, but all provide solid information which benefits sufferers of mood disorders and their friends and family. [Back to Top]
5. What do you mean by an “anonymous” support group?
Similar to AA, we operate on a first-name basis, and what is mentioned in the group, is not to be discussed outside of it. Confidentiality is maintained at all times, except (and this is the only exception) if someone becomes a danger to themselves or others. [Back to Top]
In addition to our affiliation with DBSA and training from MDDA Boston, we have professional advisors, practicing professionals in the northwestern Connecticut area. As testimony to our effectiveness, many of our members were referred to our support group by their doctors or therapists. [Back to Top]
7. What is the DBSA and what do they do?
DBSA is a nationwide non-profit advocacy organization for mood disorders, founded and directed by patients. It has a professional advisory board of noted psychiatrists, psychologists, and other respected professionals. DBSA provides education on mood disorders and lobbies for sufferers in Washington and in state capitols. They also provide direction and support for support groups such as ours; there are many similar DBSA chapters around the country. [Back to Top]
Mood disorders are a class of psychiatric illness comprised of depression (e.g. major depression, dysthymia) and bipolar disorder. What makes them similar to each other is that they affect the emotions and mood of the person (hence their name). These are very real illnesses requiring real treatment. [Back to Top]
9. Is this an online support group?
No. We are an “in-person” support group only. Online support venues can be reached from our Internet Links page. [Back to Top]
10. Is this a kind of therapy?
No, and in fact, we do not encourage members to abandon psychotherapy or other treatments in favor of our group. All members should continue with the treatment plans they have worked out with their providers. A support group such as ours provides a venue where sufferers and their friends and family can get support, in a non-professional environment; but support groups, no matter how good, cannot replace professional treatment. [Back to Top]
Just the sorts of people mentioned already — those suffering from mood disorders and their friends and family. We have members who come from as far away as Fairfield and Windham counties. And our members come from all walks of life. [Back to Top]
12. What can I expect from your group, if I attend?
People are individuals, and the dynamics of each meeting are different; so the benefits you get depend on you, as well as the rest of the group, and what happens during the meetings you attend. The one thing you will definitely discover, though, is that you are not alone; whether you have a mood disorder, or are dealing with someone else who has one, you will find that others are going through the same things. Many find emotional comfort simply by being with others who are in a similar situation; but you can also get practical advice from others, trade coping skills, share experiences, and so on. [Back to Top]
Meeting size varies considerably. Weather is occasionally, but not usually, a factor (it comes into play only when the weather is truly bad — snowing, thunderstorms, etc.). Attendance is often higher than normal when we have speakers. A reasonable, typical range is from 12 to 18 people, but more or less than this is possible. [Back to Top]
14. Torrington’s a long way from me, are there any other groups in Connecticut?
In addition to our chapter, DBSA has another chapter in Greenwich, based at Greenwich Hospital, and there is a DBSA chapter in Hartford which meets at the Institute of Living. As for non-DBSA groups, there are some in Connecticut, but we do not maintain a list of these; they change too often for us to keep it current. Infoline (dial
211anywhere in Connecticut or use Infoline’s Web site) does maintain such a list; this is the single best resource that we know of, for finding support groups in Connecticut. Also, your local CT MHA may know of groups in your area. You might also check with a hospital, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or therapist in your area. Finally, you could ask clergy in your area; some are aware of such things near to them; in fact, some congregations may run their own support groups. [Back to Top]
15. I don’t live in Connecticut. Can you find a group for me?
As with support groups in Connecticut, we simply cannot hope to keep up with groups elsewhere. The best online options are to check with the national DBSA or NAMI Web sites. Each offers listings of their affiliated chapters and support groups. Also, you might use the options mentioned above (check with a hospital, or ask a therapist, doctor, etc. or even a clergy person). [Back to Top]
16. I’m looking for a psychiatrist or therapist in your area. Who do you recommend?
Sorry, but we can’t really make recommendations like this. Mental health treatment is highly individualized; a professional who helps one person very well, may not be right for another. For us to make recommendations might steer you toward a professional who might not be best for you, or keep you away from someone who fits your needs perfectly. If you have health insurance, check your provider listing; most professionals who work with insurance companies must meet certain standards which usually exceed the basic regulatory requirements for having a practice. The national DBSA also has a resource page for locating professionals. Otherwise, you’ll just have to use the phone book. Unfortunately, mental health care is often a trial-&-error affair; there’s just no getting around it. [Back to Top]
17. Can you add a link to my Web site, on your Links page?
That depends on the nature of your site. As explained at the bottom of our Links page, our site accepts no advertising, and our Links page is not an advertising venue. Generally we do not link to any commercial sites; only to those commercial sites which offer a large amount of free information and services such as message boards. Sites such as WebMD, About.Com, etc. qualify since, despite being commercial ventures, their business is providing free information to consumers. If you are selling something, e.g. a depression-relief remedy or selling a book on bipolar disorder, we’re sorry but we cannot link to that. [Back to Top]
