Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support Groups

This FREE, CONFIDENTIAL group helps anyone with a Mental Wellness challenge (Depression, anxiety, worry, PTSD, hoarding, OCD, etc...) through VIDEO and IN-PERSON meetings with peers.

Everyone is welcome.

The group gives attendees an opportunity to share with other "like-minded" people how their mental wellness has affected them recently.

The group also allows attendees to get empathy and suggestions from peers (people who have "walked a mile in your shoes") about what has worked well for them to overcome the challenge.

Because of the private nature of what is often shared in the groups, the group is PRIVATE -- so, to join we ask that people sign up.

For more information, watch a short 2 minute YouTube video about the group...
https://youtu.be/yQJ_CQ1mt1A

AND! we also offer access to FREE professional therapy for our regular members (yes, FREE!) ...so, come out, and ask your facilitator how you can get on the list!

You are welcome to make friends at the groups, however, we only control what happens AT our group meetings. Please consider whether you wish to share your personal contact information with other participants...you do NOT have to, and you may feel best NOT sharing such personal information.

You do NOT need to sign up with your full name.

If you have any concerns about what happens in a group, let your facilitator know. If you still have concerns, please contact: jason@mentalwellness.help

MORE DETAILS BELOW

\-\-\-\- Initial Information \-\-\-\-

Everyone has an opportunity to share & receive feedback if they wish.
If you wish to SHARE
Like all Mental Wellness peer support groups, you do not have to share, but if you wish to share, please take about 5 minutes to tell us how your Mental Wellness challenge has affected you recently.
If you wish FEEDBACK
After you share, the facilitator will ask if you would like feedback. This is when other members offer EMPATHY or a SUGGESTION ("When I was going through what you are, I did 'x' and it worked well").

You do not have to receive feedback if you do not wish to.

>> If you are in crisis or have an emergency, please call 911 <<

\-\-\-\- Additional Information \-\-\-\-

NO DISCUSSIONS
These groups are not for conversations or discussions. Please do not ask questions of the person sharing, and we do not tell people what they should or should not do.
VIDEO ON
Please leave your video on from the start of the meeting until the end. If you need to leave early, or need to briefly turn off your video, please let everyone know on the CHAT function, that way no one thinks you are disrespecting them as they share.
CONFIDENTIAL & SAFE
This is a CONFIDENTIAL & SAFE SPACE. It allows each of us, as peers, to help one another. Please do not disclose to others outside this meeting what you hear in this group and all other groups, and please do not be very graphic.
PRIVATE LOCATIONS
Please ensure YOU are in a private location for the meeting. Members do not wish to have their private matters heard by others, such as if you were to join on a public bus or in a library. If you must join while commuting on your way home, please use earphones so that no one else hears what is said in the meeting.
VOLUNTEERS
This is a volunteer effort. The people who run this group and all others are volunteers. None of us is a professional, although almost all facilitators have Mental Health First Aid training. If you need professional help, these groups may not be for you. If YOU wish to become a volunteer facilitator, please let the facilitator know.
CONCERNS
If something in the meeting concerns you, please do not give us a low rating on the MeetUp system - the computer algorithm then lets fewer people know of our great service!

Rather, please let the facilitator know your concerns, or send the organizer a message through the MeetUp system, or email the organizer of these groups at: [[jason@mentalwellness.help](mailto:jason@mentalwellness.help "mailto:jason@mentalwellness.help")]
>> If you are in crisis or have an emergency, please call 911 <<

\-\-\-\- Connection Information \-\-\-\-

The Zoom link for this group is on the right side of the Meetup screen, and is revealed when you sign up for this group.
1. It is best if you use a COMPUTER (rather than a phone or tablet).
2. Activate your AUDIO and VIDEO (imagine you are sitting around in a circle...everyone should be able to see and hear you)
3. Use the "Chat" function to type questions which EVERYONE sees, unless you send a direct message to the facilitator.
4. All participants' audio is initially MUTED.
5. The facilitator will UNMUTE each person when they wish to speak.
6. When you wish to speak, ELECTRONICALLY "Raise your hand".
After you have registered, if you cannot see the Zoom link, ensure you:

1. Are using the MeetUp website (not the app on a phone/tablet) -or-
2. Delete the “old” MeetUp app and re-install it (not just update it)

>> If you are in crisis or have an emergency, please call 911 <<

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!