Our Support Groups
Our peer-run support groups are led by highly trained facilitators who were once attendees themselves. They have been there. They know what it takes to find a recovery path that leads to a meaningful and purposeful life, despite the challenges of managing a mental health disorder. Unique to Manhattan, MDSG-NY offers 16 support groups every week on both the East and West sides. We share our feelings, stories, experiences and what we have learned about treatment approaches, coping skills and holistic strategies that work. The groups have taught us that we can heal if we do it together. For in-person support groups, there is no fee or reservation required to join. Meetings are held, for geographical convenience, in two different locations in Manhattan: Mount Sinai/Beth Israel Hospital on Friday nights and Mount Sinai/St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital on Wednesday nights. MDSG-NY currently offers online support groups only due to the ongoing health crisis, in-person support groups are temporarily suspended until further notice.
The Groups We Offer:
Bipolar: This is a group for adults who have been diagnosed with or think they may have some type of bipolar disorder, also called bipolar depression. As the symptoms and experiences associated with this illness are unique in many ways, a separate group for those with this diagnosis is offered.
Unipolar/Depression : This is a group for adults who have been diagnosed or think they may have some type of depressive disorder. As anxiety disorders often accompany depression, many of our attendees experience both. Our groups offer support, information and the motivation to come out of isolation and help each other advocate for a meaningful recovery.
Friends and Family: Family and friends of those with mood disorders need support too! If you are closely connected to someone who suffers from depression, anxiety or bipolar illness, this is the group for you. Families suffer, need support, understanding and coping strategies too. You have your own unique questions, concerns and problems that need to be addressed. Your own self-care is the 1st critical component to a successful recovery process for all. The 2nd is to better understand the nature of mental health disorders, establish healthy boundaries and find more successful communication and partnering strategies with your loved one.
BIPOC: A peer group for individuals who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). They face unique racial, economic and cultural challenges in terms of being able to address their emotional health, the stigma associated with seeking mental health services as well as finding appropriate access to care. Covid-19 as well as the trauma of facing on-going racial disparity has added greatly to life stressors.
genYZers: MDSG-NY offers support groups just for younger adults. These groups are exclusively for genYZers who have a mood disorder and want to interact with their own age group, find common ground and share recovery strategies. This is the place for you to be able to share openly, confidentially and in a safe, understanding environment.
Queer Moods Group: A peer group for LGBTQ individuals – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning.” Many LGBTQ individuals experience negative mental health issues due to the prejudice and other biases they face. Research shows that LGBTQ people are at higher risk for depression, anxiety as well as addiction or substance abuse. This group offers an opportunity to share their unique experiences and challenges in a safe and compassionate setting.
Mixed : The mixed group is a combined group for depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. The group is an option for members looking to attend a group that includes all mood disorders. Common ground is always found within these mixed sessions and attendees have an opportunity to learn much more about the full range of mental health disorders, their unique challenges and similarities. Attendees discover that regardless of the diagnosis, we all have life challenges and don’t want them to interfere with our goals and dreams.
Topic Group : The topic group includes people with all mood disorders (bipolar, depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.) to discuss a common theme prevalent amongst our attendees. The topics are far ranging and can include workplace challenges, struggles with family, finding interests that help minimize the tendency to isolate, relationship issues, focusing on our strengths, partnering more successfully with a therapist or psychiatrist and finding useful everyday coping skills.