[Julie K]

There are no support groups in my area and I have been thinking about starting one. Do any of you go to support groups? If so, what do they do at these meetings? Do you feel they are really helpful?

[MelodyL]

Alan and I go to a support group of the Neuropathy Association in NYC once a month. The next meeting is on the 21st. A law firm graciously lets the group meet in the conference room. Imagine 15 or so (hopefully it will get more people) coming in (I bring my muffins) and there on this big beautiful black marble counter that surrounds the room, well, there's fresh fruit, fresh carafes of coffee, fresh teas, bottles of Spring Water, platters of cookies. Well, you just have to picture it.

Went to my first one last month. Everybody has a story, and we all help each other. Very nice people. It's run very strict though, no one can talk out of turn, you can't interrup anyone. But it's informative and you learn a whole bunch of stuff.

Hopefully you can find one in your area. Local churches and schools sometimes let you use a room (like they do in Alcoholics Anonymous).

See what happens.

Good Luck, Melody

[daniella]

I go to support groups well in the past for my eating disorder recovery and depression. I found them very helpful in my recovery. I hope when up to it can for pn. I think even if you can't find a pn meeting a similar issue can even help with the mental aspects of coping. Like for ex I went to oa meetings and I only suffered from anorexia and depression. The common bond though was there and it really helped to feel less alone and with coping mechanisms. I agree about calling local hospitals in your area or go on the web too.

[EdinNJ]

If you are truly interested in joining with others to start any type of self-help support group ("self-help" means a member-run group, not a professionally one), there are suggestions at:
http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/selfhelp.php?id=866

Best to those who decide to start one!

Take care and hope,

- Ed

American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse
Saint Clare's Health System, NJ
http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp or www.selfhelpgroups.org
Our American website provides:
- a keyword-searchable database of over 1,100 national, international, and model self-help support groups for most any specific illness, disability, addiction, bereavement situation, parenting, caregiver concern, abuse, or other stressful life situation;
- listing of local non-profit self-help group clearinghouses worldwide
http://www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/selfhelp.php?id=859
- suggestions on starting both community and online mutual help groups;
- information on research of self-help groups - to see a summary of the more rigorous outcome studies, you can see a copy of the chapter from the last edition of our Self-Help Group Sourcebook at:
http://www.chce.research.va.gov/docs...Loomis2002.pdf
- and a registry for those trying to start new national or international support networks that don't yet exist in the world.
For information on national, online, or model groups, you can also phone our national helpline in NJ at 973-326-6789 (8:30am - 5pm Eastern, weekdays).

"Start your Community. It won't be easy. You'll be scared. You will often feel that you don't know what you're doing. You'll have a difficult time persuading people to join you. Many initially won't want to make the commitment, and those who are willing to will be as scared as you. Once you get started it will be frustrating. There will be chaos. Most will consider dropping out, and some probably will. But hang in there... And then suddenly you will find yourself in the clear air of the mountaintop, and you'll be laughing and crying and feeling more alive than you have in years - maybe more alive than you've ever been." - M. Scott Peck, MD, in The Different Drum, 1997.