DBSA is known for its peer led support groups helping persons living with mood disorders, and their loved ones, improve their lives. But were you aware of DBSA speciality groups that support participants’ cultural or identity needs? Many of which are available online?

During times when marginalized communities are subject to racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of non-acceptance it is important that individuals dealing with depression and/or bipolar disorder have safe places where they can go to receive support.  DBSA’s Culture and Identity support groups are designed to be welcoming and supportive spaces, offering participants the chance to discuss shared experiences and find community with others walking a similar path to wellness. For more information visit https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/cifgroups/

We are pleased to announce our Sussex County meetings will expand to an additional location. Starting March 13, 2025, we will meet at the Montague Grange, 280 River Road, Montague, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Meetings will run from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please contact Lisa at lmauriello11@gmail.com for information.

This meeting is in addition to the weekly meeting at the Sussex County Library, Franklin Branch at 103 Main St., Franklin. That meeting is on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. You may reach out to Stacy at 973-670-9080 or staceylynnmanning@gmail.com for information on that meeting.

The chapter has announced a change in their support group meeting location. Meetings are now held at the Chislom Center, 100 South Springfield Avenue, Springfield NJ. The support group continues to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

DBSA Essex County has added a weekly virtual meeting on Thursdays via Zoom to their support group offering. The first meeting will be on May 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM. To participate, please contact Brian at 973-454-2680 or Cindy at 862-230-2810, or email the chapter at MontclairDBSA@gmail.com.

The 7:30 PM Monday support group meeting, at the Saint James Episcopal Church in Montclair, will now be in-person only. That meeting had been hybrid, with on online option, since September last year when in-person meetings resumed following the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact the chapter at the above phone numbers or email address for information about participation.

The support group is for peers living with depression or bipolar disorder, and for the family and friends of such individuals, and is affiliated with the national, peer driven, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Starting September 4, 2023, DBSA Essex County (Montclair) will host their peer support group meetings on Monday evenings in a hybrid format–available to participants both in-person and virtually via Zoom. The chapter has been meeting virtually since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Support group meetings will be at St. James Episcopal Church in Upper Montclair. For additional information, please phone Brian at 973-454-2680 or Tom at 201-998-5751, or email us at MontclairDBSA@gmail.com

The support group is for peers living with depression or bipolar disorder, and for the family and friends of such individuals, and is affiliated with the national, peer driven, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

The DBSA Hope & Cope Support Group has been formed as a support group affiliated with the DBSA national organization. The support group is pleased to offer virtual support group meetings to our community on Thursday evenings. The inaugural meeting was held on Thursday, September 10, 2020.

The DBSA Hope & Cope Support Group is affiliated through the DBSA Morristownarea chapter.  The chapter has long held Tuesday evening support group meetings, virtually since the onset of the pandemic, and a monthly lecture series. For more information please visit the chapter’s web page

Revised September 17, 2022 to update the group’s name . Formed as the DBSA Hope & Cope Network Support Group, it is now the DBSA Hope & Cope Support Group.

Originally published September 15, 2020, the article was rewritten because the support group’s association changed to DBSA Morristownarea as of November 2021. The group is no longer associated with DBSA Succasunna.

DBSA Princeton, DBSA Belle Mead, Carrier and DBSA Freehold Boro have suspended in-person support group meetings due to the coronavirus outbreak that requires taking precautions that will help limit the spread of this pandemic disease. These cancellations are in addition to those previously announced by DBSA Morristown Area, DBSA Succasunna, DBSA Passaic County, and for the Toms River meetings of DBSA Ocean County.

As of today New Jersey Governor Murphy issued a stay at home order which precludes our in person meetings. Please contact our chapters via the contact information on their web page for information specific to their meetings.

DBSA Belle Mead, Carrier will be hosting support group meetings on-line starting Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 PM. Details will be posted on their web page. DBSA Succasunna and DBSA Middlesex County are considering doing the same. More information on this to follow. And our national DBSA parent organization has expanded the availability of their on-line support groups.

The US Centers for Disease Control has important resources for keeping yourself and those you are close to safe during this emergency. The NJ COVID-19 Information Hub has directives specific to New Jersey. Please follow official guidance and stay safe.

Updated 5:30 PM on March 21, 2020 to include Governor Murphy’s stay at home order.