Sponsored by the Mental Health Guild
You can volunteer to be a facilitator. Start a Support Group in your community or co-facilitate an existing group.
Call Andy at 480-994-4407 for more information.
The Peer Support Groups are volunteer-facilitated by peers trained by us.
Benefits of a Peer Support Group include:
- A safe place for people to share their experience.
- A place to get ideas on ways to cope.
- A forum for mutual acceptance and self-discovery.
- Being heard by sympathetic and empathetic people.
- Getting a better understanding of your illness.
- Getting out of the house and not being alone.
- Being able to connect & possibly make new friends.
- An opportunity to reach out to others and benefit from the experience of those who have “been there.”
- A place to remind ourselves that recovery is possible!
Comments from Facilitators:
- I have been to a number of these Peer Support Groups and I feel that they have helped me realize that there are many people going through the same difficulties that I am going through. Somehow hearing their struggles and seeing these people succeed strengthens me. Bill (Depression, age 28)
- Since I started attending the groups my social and interpersonal skills have improved tremendously and I have found a great sense of support through the group and its members. Eric (Schizophrenia, age 40)
- My support group reminds me that I am not alone. I enjoy the social aspects of meeting regular members of the group and value their extensive knowledge and others newly diagnosed. I enjoy discussing their issues as well as my own. Phil (Bipolar Disorder, age 62)
- Having a support group has helped me learn new coping skills and not feel so alone. Knowing that there are other people who suffer from similar challenges has increased my ability to cope and accept life and not worry as much. Jan ( Anxiety and Depression, age 62)
- I am a 54 year old woman who has had OCD since the age of 7. I was diagnosed in 1987 with the disorder and thought I was totally alone. My doctor recommended a Peer Support group at that time to help me through the loneliness I was feeling. For the first time in my life I actually was in the room with people who understood what I was going through. There was no condemnation, but there was a family atmosphere where we were able to share experiences and, if we wished, were held accountable for our behavior. I thank God every day that he led me to the group of warm, caring people that helped me immensely with my recovery. Nancy (OCD, age 54)
- I found the Peer Support Group to be a safe place for people to share their experience with symptoms and practical ways to cope. The support and acceptance empowered me to learn about recovery. Our personal experiences and knowledge are valuable tools in helping each other so that we can all live a more normal life. Jill (Schizo-affective, age 49)