Orange County Depression Anonymous
Feeling Lonely? Feeling Depressed? Got Coronavirus Anxiety ?If you are experiencing isolation, fear, anger, or low self-esteem you may be suffering from depression. Depression is not a passing blue mood, which almost everyone experiences from time to time, but a complex mind/body illness that interferes with everyday functioning.Depressed Anonymous facilitates the ongoing efforts of an international fellowship of men and women who desire to climb out of depression. DA members come together in weekly meetings for the purpose of working toward recovery from depression.As an anonymous program, DA respects the confidentiality of its members at all times. Members are not required to share any personal details – or even last names – if they do not chose to at meetings. As a spiritual program, there is an emphasis on a Higher Power.DA provides a warm and accepting group setting in which to share experiences without fear of criticism. Through weekly support meetings, members discover they are not alone in their struggles. We may each have different symptoms, but the underlying causes of our depression are the same or similar.Join us at our Candlelight Meeting every Monday at 8pm. During the COVID-19 crisis we meet on Zoom.Contact Us:
Depression Anonymous is a support group where people with similar needs can generate new positive energies from networks of friendship and support, and give each other the strength to live each new day with hope.
- Lionel
The Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is on a mission to inspire resilience, hope, and connection in people experiencing mental health conditions, like depression and bipolar disorder. The organization features resources and aid, including more than 600 peer-led support groups.
Not only is the vast amount of groups impressive, but theyre also effective. The organizations website states that participation in a DBSA patient-to-patient support group improved treatment compliance by almost 86 percent and reduced in-patient hospitalization.
DBSAs wide variety of support groups include specialized cohorts for military veterans, young adults, BIPOC communities, caregivers, and people with co-occuring substance abuse.
The online national support groups are hosted on Support Groups Central and are offered on multiple weekdays and times, making them very accessible.
Dbsa Oc Support Groups
DBSA support groups are gatherings of peers who assist, encourage and enable each other in helping themselves. A DBSA support group is a safe space for people suffering from bipolar, depression or schizoaffective disorders to share experiences, personal feelings and strategies for living successfully with these conditions. Our support groups are offered online and in-person.
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Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and treating a variety of mental health conditions, including depression.
Through science-backed programs and outreach, the organization aims to eradicate the stigma surrounding depression and anxiety. With more than 30 years under its belt, the ADAA helps people around the world and attracts more than 11 million web visitors per year.
The association provides free in-person and virtual support groups in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Theres also a thriving online anxiety and depression support group with more than 59,000 members. The forum, hosted on the social network HealthUnlocked, provides a safe space for people to chat anonymously about their experiences.
Monday Nights At Damore Healthcare
Every Monday night at 7P, DAmore Healthcare opens its doors to host the mental health support group. The invitation extends from current and former patients to adult family members, friends, and anyone else interested in mental wellness, the healing process, and building new, supportive relationships. Though this is not a twelve-step meeting, members of those groups are welcome to come and share their stories with us.
These meetings are provided free of cost. Attendees share their experiences in a safe and judgment-free environment, making lifelong friends along the way. We look to share our emotions, setbacks, needs, victories, and praises in order to lift each other up. We only ask that what is shared at the meeting remain confidential to protect and promote the healing process.
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Damore Healthcare Builds Connections
Connecting to a network of people with similar questions, struggles, experiences, and victories is essential. There is something powerful in knowing that others walked a similar road. Your narrative has grit and personality! Share it! Not only do you gain an opportunity for your voice to be heard, you get to learn from the experiences of others and develop a strong sense of empathy and community. DAmore Healthcare offers a weekly mental health support group to provide a space for these connections to be made.
Anxiety Counseling And Treatment
Stress, worry, paranoia, panic anxiety can take all these forms and be distracting at best and debilitating at worst. If you find yourself paralyzed by day-to-day living and unable to deal with challenges that seem conquerable for other people, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Women who experience traumatic events and abusive relationships are also highly susceptible to conditions like anxiety and depression. And its probably not a surprise that anxiety and addiction can go hand-in-hand.
It can be easy to turn to drugs and alcohol to forget a trauma, ease your nerves, or to stave off an irrational fear. But the chemical effects of drugs and alcohol often lead to a cycle of mood swings that can make your anxiety worse. After the initial calming effects of the chemical wears off, your anxiety will be back in full force and will perhaps feel even worse.
At Mariposa Women & Family Center, we are committed to holistic healing we treat your mind, body and spirit through our womens counseling and therapy programs. We take special care to create a peaceful, reflective environment where you can feel calm and in control.
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How Do Online Support Groups Compare To In
Online support groups can help reach people who may be hesitant to attend a face-to-face meeting. The widespread network of users and the 24/7 access can make online forums an effective and easy place to gather.
A 2020 study found that pairing online and offline peer support groups helped participants facilitate social relationships, promote friendship and community connectedness. The study found that online and offline support groups complemented each other in addition to ongoing mental healthcare.
As online formats, like therapy and support groups, gain prominence, additional studies are needed to indicate whether one is more effective than the other.
Dont Miss Our Popular Podcast
If you live with depression or bipolar, when things are at their worst it can feel like it will never get better. These times do pass. When reflect on our experience and circumstances, we can find the strength we have shown during our greatest challenges. DBSAs blog and podcast series, Im Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self, shares inspiring stories of young adult peers who are living proof that we can overcome even the most difficult times.
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What We Aim To Solve
The problem or need that our organization is working to address is mental health challenges and the increasing suicide rate. We currently offer Zoom virtual support groups where our members can openly share their feelings and challenges in a supportive, confidential environment. We have peer-led groups. The Facilitators also live with either Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder, so they can share their wisdom and experiences with the group. Sometimes, the problem is lack of resources or little awareness of community resources. We share resources that we have personally benefitted from or are familiar with.We have a Bipolar Resource Center at St. Joseph Hospital and we offer a plethora of resources to the community. We are also addressing the issue of ignorance and stigma of mental illness. Monthly educational meetings are presented at St. Joseph Hospital to educate the public about mental illness and its related issues.
Here Are A Few Common Myths About Postpartum Support Groups:
You have to be diagnosed with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or another postpartum mood disorder.Thats not the case! Most postpartum support groups are open to anyone who has recently given birth .
A postpartum support group is mostly just a facilitator talking at you. Not at all! Most postpartum support groups are driven by the people who are in attendance. Facilitators usually love it when parents come with their questions, concerns, joys, and challenges to share. Some support groups take the form of playgroups, with a positive side effect of community-building and meeting other parents with similarly-aged kids.
Im not into groups, so a postpartum support group isnt for me.One huge benefit of going to a postpartum support group is meeting other parents who are on the same journey youre on. If you arent going for the actual group support, go for the chance to meet other parents! Relationships with other parents can be invaluable – having someone you can really relate to who you can text, call, or meet up with sometimes can be such food for the soul.
I cant bring my baby to a postpartum support group.Unless stated otherwise in the group description, the majority of postpartum support groups welcome babes in arms . Its usually expected that parents attending a postpartum support group have a baby attached to them most of the time.
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Youth And Teen Groups : :
YOUTH ANGER MANAGEMENT , & : A 12-week course that helps young children better manage their emotions, improve social problem solving skills and strengthen peer relationship skills.
TEEN ANGER MANAGEMENT : A 12-week Orange County court-approved course designed to assist teens to effectively deal with their anger through various means. Group leaders utilize discussion activities, role-playing and interactive learning.
TEEN RELATIONSHIPS: A 12-week course on relating to peers and members of the opposite sex, peer pressure, communication skills, defensiveness and anger.
TEEN LIFE SKILLS: A 12-week course on becoming independent: Job applications and interviews, car ownership, apartment hunting and money management.
TEEN ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION: A 12-week cognitive behavioral program that addresses substance abuse and ways to prevent further usage/dependence. Group members will learn how thoughts influence behavior and how to restructure negative thoughts and behaviors.
TEEN SUPPORT GROUP FOR GIRLS: A 12-week course on learning to like yourself: Image awareness, getting along with others and coping with disappointment.
Complete List Of South County Support Groups
DBSA Support Groups
Monday
23072 Lake Center Drive, Suite #115, Lake Forest, California 92630949 528-6822
23121 Plaza Pointe Dr, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.949-635-9211
23072 Lake Center Drive, Suite #115, Lake Forest, California 92630949 528-6822
Caregivers Group , RSM6:30 PM, Second Thursdays only atBell Tower, 22232 El Paseo Community Room 1, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 926692949-842-3523
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What Are Online Depression Support Groups
Online support groups are becoming a more commonplace format for those experiencing mental health conditions. There are two types of online support groups for depression: asynchronous and synchronous.
- Asynchronous support groups. These groups arent subject to a scheduled time or place. They follow a message board format and allow users to share a post and comment on other posts at any time. The 24-hour access of these forums are an attractive feature for people who prefer to reach out on their own timeline rather than wait until a group meeting arrives. Traditionally, synchronous support groups are peer-led.
- Synchronous online support groups. These groups have the most similarities to face-to-face meetings. Usually hosted on a video chat platform, they provide an in-person feel from behind your computer screen. Unlike local meetings, these online groups allow you to connect with people from around the world instead of the confines of your city. These groups typically happen weekly or bi-weekly and can last 1 to 2 hours.
National Alliance On Mental Illness
NAMI and its local chapter, NAMI Orange County, are organizations also dedicated to mental illness education and advocacy. NAMI Orange County hosts a series of Signature Programs throughout the year that are designed to educate patients and families about mental illness through ten and twelve week education courses.
NAMI Orange County hosts weekly support groups, NAMI Connections, for consumers . Support groups intended for families to connect with other families are held as well. As an adjunct to the resources provided by DBSA Orange County, visit the NAMI Orange County website for information on the resources and services it has to offer.
NAMI National Website: .
NAMI Orange County Website: .
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Providing Psychiatric Care To Correctional Facilities & Community Mental Health Clinics
Our DBT-oriented Intensive Outpatient Programs is for Adults and Adolescents struggling with mental health diagnoses and /or other comorbid disorders: . IOP is a group program in which group members visit our treatment center between 3-6 days a week for at least 3 hours at a time. Group treatment will be coordinated with the patients other mental health providers such as their psychiatrist, individual therapist, nutritionist, etc. The IOP program meets daily from 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm . Our primary goal is to help build skills to better manage daily life in a meaningful way. We use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy , cognitive-behavioral therapy , positive psychology, and other evidence-based treatments in our groups. In addition, we offer individual, family, and couples therapy, nutritional consultation, EMDR, and medication management as needed. The duration of our program is approximately 10 weeks and we are in-network with most major insurances including HMO.
Goals
What Happens After Iop
When you, your treatment team, and your insurance company determine that you have completed the group, you will be referred back to your individual therapist and psychiatrist for ongoing care.
OCHPA will be in contact with your outpatient providers throughout your experience in IOP, and will be coordinating your discharge with them.
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Additional Southern California Dbsa Chapters
DBSA South Orange County: .
DBSA South Bay: .
DBSA San Diego: .
The San Diego DBSA website has a very long list of catagorized links on its Resources page. It is a great Internet page to begin searching for information about mental illnesses and their treatments.
Connection Recovery Support Group
Connection Recovery Support Group is a no-cost, peer-led support group for adults living with a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others. The groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who have experience living with a mental health condition. NAMI-OCs Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model to ensure you and others in the group have an opportunity to be heard and to get what you need. The groups meet on a bi-weekly, weekly or monthly basis.
Support Groups do not replace therapy, medical, psychiatric or psychological care. In no way are any of the discussions or materials presented meant to be a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner or others, nor should they be construed as such. NAMI Orange County does not endorse, nor appear to endorse support group discussions, derivatives of these discussions or any other materials presented and it cannot be held liable for the content or use of any products, such as drugs that are incorporated within these support group discussions that do not act or rely upon any of the resources or information available in or from these meetings or meeting derivatives.
Please seek the advice of physicians, health-care providers or other experts in order to find the treatment or other services that will work the best for you.
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How Can I Become A Group Member
1- Call 949-551-4272 or email a request for information to 2- We will respond to your request within 48 hours with information about the intake process. 3 Meet with one of our clinicians to provide some information about yourself and what brings you to IOP as part of our assessment process. At this time you will also receive some paperwork about our IOP services. 4 Provide consent for us to speak to and coordinate care with your other mental health providers, such as your psychiatrist, individual therapist, etc. 5 If you meet criteria for our program, we will coordinate with your insurance to obtain authorization for IOP services. 6 Attend group!
What Are The Goals Of Iop
To provide support
Hearing from others with similar issues can help patients know that they are not alone in their struggles, whether its depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue.
To teach skills
Groups provide patients with skills to help better manage their emotions and cope with the stressors of everyday life. The topics that are covered in each group can help promote change in productive and meaningful ways. Furthermore, the group setting allows for unique perspectives on different issues, and this feedback can be very valuable as patients work towards change.
To promote social skills
Groups not only help reduce a sense of isolation but also provide an opportunity to practice engaging with people. They also allow for a built-in space to practice some of the new skills that are being taught.
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Should I Still Go To Therapy
Support groups can act as a sounding board for your feelings and provide a positive environment, but they arent a replacement for therapy.
Unlike mental health counseling, support groups are facilitated by peers just like you. While these peer-led groups can be filled with insightful tips and shared tools, they shouldnt be used in lieu of a licensed mental health professional.
If youre experiencing depression, contact your doctor to discuss your symptoms and consider speaking with a mental health counselor.