I will log into the database as soon as I get to work in the morning and post the support groups and resources I can find for the phx area.

Arizona's Advocates (I put the advocate information in there so that they could help you in getting accomodations that will help your daughter should she ever decide to go back to public school.)

Kim Yamamoto & Associates
(602) 471-0346; (480) 248-0740
(24 hour turnaround)
kim@ArizonaSpecEdAdvocates.com
www.ArizonaSpecEdAdvocates.com
Advocating for families across Arizona for over 13 years. Our professionals specialize in IEP's, 504 plans, manifestation determination
meetings, Functional Behavioral Assessments, Positive Behavior plans, social and emotional aspects of learning, specialized reading
approaches, proven methodologies, high school transition, assistive technology, appropriate placement issues, sensory needs and a
multitude of other unique needs
________________________________
(I like the Special Needs Groups because they are not dx specific. They are just a room full of parents who are in need of support. Further down the list there are bipolar support groups for both kids and adults; as well as other conditions.

Special Needs
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Facilitates a support group for families of children with special needs.
Meets every other month on the 3rd Saturday from 10-12 at the hospital.
Contact Judy Gates at 602-865-4731

Special Needs
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Facilitates a support group for families of children with special needs.
Meets every other month on the 3rd Saturday from 10-12 at the hospital.
Contact Judy Gates at 602-865-4731

SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT GROUP OF THE NORTH VALLEY
information, opportunities for sharing experiences, resources, and advocacy for parents of children with special needs
Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the North Valley Regional Library located at 40410 N Gavilan Peak Parkway Anthem, AZ 85086
contact Kristina Blackledge, Group Facilitator, at 602-402-9510 or via email at kris@azparentadvocate.com. Gavilan Peak Pkwy in Anthem, AZ

_________________________________

Mental Health
Arizona Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AAMI)
Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID)
Arizona Supports Kids with Mental Illness (ASKMI)
Child & Family Teams (NARBHA)
Depressive & Bi-Polar (Manic Depressive) Support Groups:

Bi-Polar Bears - Wednesdays 7-9pm
St Luke's Behavioral Health Services
1800 E Van Buren St

New Horizons - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
7-9pm
Gilbert Health Center
1501 N Gilbert Rd

New Dawn - Tuesdays 7-9pm
Presbyterian Service Agency
2255 W. Northern Avenue B-100
Phoenix
______________________________

The Mood Disorders
Awareness Institute
1st & 3rd Thursday of month
3-4:30pm
______________________________

Anxiety Disorders Support Groups:
Anxiety Support Group
1st & 3rd Wednesday 7-8:30pm
Life Care of Paradise Valley
4065 E Bell Rd, Phoenix
______________________________
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
2nd & 4th Thursday 7-9pm
Samaritan Behavioral Health Center
7575 E. Earll Dr. Scottsdale

OCD For Adolescents
4th Monday
7pm
Day Spring United Methodist Church
1365 E Elliot
Tempe

HI Melissa, I hope you are finding the help you need. I know how hard it can be.

What you described I am not sure what it could be. But I so understand. My youngest daughter is now 15 and when she was 10 and 11 she stared having some problems with school. Some very big anxiety issues about even walking through the front door. Then depression would sink in. Bouts of anger for no reason, then there would be her happy times. It took awhile but she was diagnosed with a lower form of Bipolor and Social Anxiety Disorder (mood disorder also but they tack that onto everything)! Megs is smart, beautiful and generally social in most situations. She never got into trouble in school and they were at first unable to "fit her into a certain catogegory". That was until she was 13 and tried to take some pills in attemp to kill herself. Needless to say it was a very scary situation and we thank God we had been keeping such a close eye on her. The potential for things to get worse was right there. She was hospitalized, we found a doctor who had a clue and proceeded to search for the right meds for her and the right therapist. She was such a bright and happy child we would have never guessed this would have happened to her. Right now things are going well for her and she is on the right track. But it does take a lot of work and persistence on our part to figure out what is going on with our children. You just keep pushing and go with your gut. The school has actually helped us quite a bit but I know that there are many schools out there that are not like that. When that happens there are things you can do to get the help you need. Our children have rights and one of those rights is a Child advocate to help them through this. They don't work for the school they work for your child. If you don't have an IEP (individualized educational program) fight to get one. You have any questions at all please do ask. I know how hard this is for you! This is already way long so just let me know if you want to talk more about it or for me to buzz off.....Take care. Lori T.