DBSA recognizes the unique ways that identity, culture, and access affect people living with mood disorders and strives to create safe and inclusive spaces for individuals to feel empowered on their own path to wellness.  

Over the last two years, DBSA has launched numerous national online cultural and identity-focused groups to help our peers find support from other people who understand what they are going through. In 2023 and beyond, DBSA will continue to search for opportunities to launch support groups for historically marginalized communities in support of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to enhance mental wellness for all. You can find and register for DBSA’s Online Support Groups below. 

New Online Support Groups

Rural Community Peer Support Groups

Most recently, DBSA launched two Rural Community Peer Support Groups. These groups meet twice a week on Mondays at 7 p.m. Central Time and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Central Time. This group, made possible by funding from the Alkermes Inspiration Grant and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and help from our partner, Rural Minds, is for members of the rural community who live with depression or bipolar disorder or who believe they may have depression or bipolar. The groups, led by a facilitator from a rural community with lived experience, create a safe environment for people to share stories, questions, and concerns with other people who live in rural areas with mood disorders. In addition, you can find more rural mental health resources in Rural Minds “Moving Forward” newsletter

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Parent and Caregiver Support Group for Newly Diagnosed Children

This month, we launched the Parent and Caregiver Support Group (for Newly Diagnosed Children). They meet twice a month on Mondays at 7 p.m. Central Time. This additional group is a good fit for you if you are a parent or caregiver to an individual who has been diagnosed with a mood disorder within the last six months. This support group will connect parents/caregivers with others who can relate to the beginning of the journey with the child to discover the family’s new sense of normality and figure out next steps.  

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Identity-Focused National Online Support Groups

Parent and Caregiver Support Groups

Last October, DBSA piloted support groups for Parents and Caregivers of individuals living with mood disorders. They were well-received and were officially launched at the beginning of 2023. The groups are organized by age of the child that is supported as follows: Parent and Caregiver Support Group (for ages 4-10), Parent and Caregiver Support Group (for ages 11-17), Parent and Caregiver Support Group (for ages 18+). DBSA’s Parent and Caregiver Support Groups are organized in this way to connect parents and caregivers with other individuals who have loved ones in a similar stage of life. The Parent and Caregiver Support Group (for ages 11-17) and (for ages 18+) meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Central Time, and the Parent and Caregiver Support Group (for ages 4-10) meets on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Central Time.  

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Tardive Dyskinesia and Movement Condition Support Group

In December 2022, DBSA launched the Tardive Dyskinesia and Movement Condition Support Group. They meet once a week on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Central Time. This support group, made possible by Neurocrine Biosciences and Teva Pharmaceuticals, is for those living with a mood disorder and a movement condition resulting from medication.  

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Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mood Disorder Support Group

DBSA launched the Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mood Disorder Support Group after receiving a generous donation from the family and friends of Anya Vykopal who lived with both a mood disorder and substance use disorder and passed away at the age of 36. The group meets once a week on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. If you live with both a mood disorder and a substance use disorder, this group is for you.  

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Black Community Peer Support Groups

DBSA’s Black Community Peer Support Groups launched in April 2021 and are reserved for members of the Black Community who live with a mood disorder or who believe they may have a mood disorder. There are nine (9) meetings per week on Mondays at 7:30 p.m., two groups on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 5 p.m., Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. Central Time. The groups, led by a Black peer facilitator, create a safe, culturally sensitive space for people to share stories, questions, and concerns. These groups were created and supported thanks to the Alkermes Inspiration Grant, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. 

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Military Veterans Support Group

DBSA’s Military Veterans Support Group is designed for Veterans who are diagnosed with a mood disorder or who believe they may have a mood disorder. This group meets once a week on Mondays at 5 p.m. Central Time. Led by Military Veteran Group Leaders, the intention of this group is to create a safe space for sharing Military Veteran stories, questions, and concerns. This group was made possible from funding by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. 

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Young Adults Support Groups

DBSA’s Young Adults Support Groups are for people aged 18-30 who live with a mood disorder or believe they may have a mood disorder. They meet twice per week on Mondays at 6 p.m. Central Time and Saturdays at 5 p.m. Central Time. The intention of this group is to create a safe space for young adults to share young adult stories, questions, and concerns. These groups were made possible by Rebecca’s Dream’s ongoing mission to promote awareness and compassion for depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases. 

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Family and Friends Support Groups

DBSA offers two support groups for Family and Friends. They meet twice a week on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. These groups are designed for family members or friends of individuals diagnosed with a mood disorder or who believe they may have a mood disorder. The intention of this group is to create a safe space for sharing stories, questions, and concerns that friends and family members may have. 

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Coming soon…

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Support Groups 


General Online Peer Support Groups

If you don’t identify with any of these cultures or identities, join one of our General Online Peer Support Groups. These groups are open to people from all cultures and identities and meet on Mondays at 3 p.m. Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 3 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m., and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Central Time. The primary participants in these groups are people diagnosed with a mood disorder and those who believe they may have a mood disorder.  

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