How do I find a support group in my community?

Many people find peer support a helpful tool that can aid in their recovery. There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups for consumers, their family members and friends. Some support groups are peer-led, while others may be led by a mental health professional.

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Your local Mental Health Association is an excellent resource to assist you in finding support groups in your area.

The following organizations also provide support group referrals:
The American Self-Help Clearinghouse and the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse maintain listings of support groups on a broad range of mental health topics.

Specialized support group resources include:

• Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Al-Anon/Alateen
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• American Association of Retired Persons Grief and Loss Information
• American Association of Suicidology: Support for family/friends that have lost a loved one to suicide
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America
• Attention Deficit Disorder Association
• Brain Injury Association of America
• Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
• Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
• Co-Dependents Anonymous
• The Compassionate Friends Grief Support: After the death of a child
• Debtors Anonymous
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association
• Dual Recovery Anonymous: Support for those who have both a mental health and alcohol/substance abuse problem
• Emotions Anonymous
• Families for Depression Awareness
• Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, a parent support and advocacy network
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness, a family support and advocacy organization
• NARSAD The Mental Health Research Association
• National Family Caregivers Association
• Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
• Postpartum Support International (Contact the State Coordinator for your state to get a list of psychiatrists and therapists in your area who specialize in reproductive-related mood disorders in women of all ages).
• Recovery Inc.
• Schizophrenics Anonymous
• Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder information and support
• Well Spouse Foundation

If you need further assistance on mental health issues or referrals, please contact the NMHA Resource Center at 1-800-969-6642 or email us .

National Mental Health Association
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959