DBSA Online Support Groups
Welcome to DBSA's new and improved Online Support Groups! All participants will need to register the first time they log-in to the online meeting room. You will only need to register once. To register, please click the "Create a new user account" link at the bottom of the login box. Click here for registration help.
The DBSA Online Support Groups meet at selected times. Please note that you will not be able to access the online meeting room outside of these times. Each online support group is capped at 12 participants. Participation in the groups is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Online Support Group Guidelines Online Support Group Glossary Support Group Structure User's Guide/FAQ
Announcements
A new group for parents of people with mood disorders is now on Wed. nights. Click here for times.
The Wednesday afternoon online support group has been temporarily cancelled. Please check back in the coming weeks for more information.
Online Support Group Guidelines
All users are asked to follow these guidelines while participating in a DBSA online support group:
- Share the air:
We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to share. Time is limited, though, so we ask that everyone be respectful of other participants' share-time needs.
- Give back: We recognize that we often benefit as much by supporting others as we do by sharing our own struggles, triumphs, and experiences.
- One person shares at a time: Each person should be allowed to share without interruptions or side conversations.
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What is shared here stays here: This is the essential principle of confidentiality and must be respected by all. -
Differences of opinion are o.k.: We are all entitled to our own point of view. -
We are all equal: Accept cultural, linguistic, social and racial differences and promote their acceptance. -
Use “I” language: Because we do not participate in support groups as credentialed professionals, we do not instruct or advise. We do, however, share from our own personal experiences. We are unique individuals, and only we know what is best for our own health (along with our doctor’s recommendations). Example: “In my experience, I have found…” -
It’s o.k. not to share: People do not have to share if they do not wish to. -
It’s everyone’s responsibility to make the discussion groups a safe place to share: We respect confidentiality, treat each other with respect and kindness and show compassion.
Online Support Group Glossary
d/ - indicates when someone is done sharing. Please use and respect the “d/” during the support group session.
dd/ - indicates when someone would no longer like the group's focus during the support group discussion.
t/ - What I’m about to share might be a trigger for someone else in the group
pdoc - psychiatrist.
tdoc - therapist.
dx - diagnosis
tx - treatment
rx- prescription medication
(((username))) - a virtual hug. When you want to give someone a hug, put their username in between a set of three parentheses.
m2 - “me too” is a way to show support for other participants while they’re sharing. It is okay to throw in a “m2” in to the chat during someone else’s share time.
!!!!! - a symbol for facilitators only. If a facilitator uses the “!!!!!”, it means all participants should pause the conversation for a moment.
Online Support Group Structure
All DBSA support groups follow the same basic meeting structure.
Gathering time - a chance for the group to assemble
Welcome - the facilitators bring the group together and provide focus
Review what will happen at the meeting and the group guidelines - participants are asked to look over the guidelines at every meeting
Check-in - a time for participants to briefly let the group know how they’re feeling and what they’d like to discuss during the meeting
Discussion - the heart of why a DBSA group exists. Often the discussion will be based on common concerns or themes that came up during the check-in time
Closing - the facilitators bring closure to the session
Online Support Group Quick Links
Questions about the online support group?
Visit the Online Support Group User's Guide.
Learn more about mood disorders by reading
DBSA's brochures.
DBSA has nearly 1,000 face-to-face support groups.
Find one here.
No face-to-face support group in your community?
Start a DBSA chapter!
Looking for wellness tools or a little inspiration?
Visit FacingUs.org, your online home for wellness
DBSA Online Support Group Meeting Times
The online support group meeting room opens 10 minutes before the start of the online support group and closes 30 minutes after the group has ended. The online meeting room is not open at other times.
Mondays at 8pm Eastern (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific, 12am Tuesday GMT), family/friends focus
Mondays at 10pm Eastern (9pm Central, 8pm Mountain, 7pm Pacific, 2am Tuesday GMT)
Tuesdays at 9pm Eastern (8pm Central, 7pm Mountain, 6pm Pacific, 1am Wednesday GMT)
Wednesdays at 3pm Eastern (2pm Central, 1pm Mountain, 12pm Pacific, 7pm GMT) Temporarily Cancelled
Wednesdays at 8pm Eastern (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific, 12am Tuesday GMT), parents of people with mood disorders focus
Fridays at 8pm Eastern (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific, 12am Tuesday GMT)
Registration FAQ
How do I register for the DBSA Online Support Groups?
To register for the Online Support Groups, click the "Create a new user account" link at the bottom of the login box.
When I click the "Create a new user account" link, nothing happens.
Pop-up blockers must be disabled to open the registration page from the "Create a new user account" link. If you can't or don't know how to disable your pop-up blocker, you can also register for the DBSA online support groups here.
I've registered. Now what?
Once you've completed the registration process, you will be able to log-in to the DBSA Online Support Groups. No further action is necessary. |