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What we’re about

Welcome to the NYC Depression Group. This is a group of like-minded, respectful individuals who are suffering from depression and anxiety.

We discuss day-to-day struggles with Depression such as isolation, negative self-talk, therapy, overwhelm, stuck feelings, relationships and we find that in our sharing we are not alone in these struggles.

IF YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IN THE TIMES OF COVID-19, NYS has launched a mental health hotline: for FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: (800)- 273-TALK (82551)

NYC WELL program: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/ is a city-wide free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. The number to call is 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355).

  1. Be kind, respectful, and avoid conflicts. This is a PEER SUPPORT group. That does not mean you have to like everyone. There will be people in it who represent a different lifestyle, creed, race, sexual orientation, economic status, or political beliefs or just plainly get on your nerves because of their personality: whoever they are, it is of utmost importance to focus on what we have in common and how to help one another.
    Any form of racism, prejudice towards any ethnic groups, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, or gender will not be tolerated.
    If you ever find yourself in a situation that conflicts with another group member, speak to them directly. You can contact them through Meetup with a personal email or set up a time to talk in person. The way NOT to deal with it is to post attacking messages on the message board, talk about the individual at group meetings, or contact any of the organizers unless it is an issue affecting the well-being of the group as a whole.
  2. If you are in a crisis, please seek professional help instead of coming to the group or posting on the message board. We are all peers. There are no professionals in this group. Members can offer support but they are not professionals and cannot deal with these tenuous situations. No group member should feel responsible for another group member’s safety.
  3. Be mindful of other people’s triggers. We all have struggled significantly with depression, which is why we are in this group. Different things are triggering for different people and we can never guarantee that someone won’t be affected or triggered in a negative way. Try to minimize the chance of this happening: it’s okay to say “I feel (or have been) suicidal,” but please avoid graphic details around self-injury or suicidality in group discussions or on the message boards. Please use similar good judgment if discussing sexual assault, child abuse, or other traumatic events. Avoid posts that deliberately provoke guilt or manipulate others.
  4. Refrain from judgment. Different people are in different stages of their struggles with depression. Everyone deals with their struggles differently. There is no one right way to deal with things. Please be respectful of each other and try to put yourself in other people’s shoes. We have all known what it feels like to struggle and be alone. This group should not make it worse for anyone.
  5. We ask that you refrain from giving advice in the group. Although we may have the best intentions at heart, we are crossing boundaries into situations that you may not completely understand or aware of. Most often or not providing suggestions is a form of judgement. The meet up is a safe space to share and listen to each other to gain perspective as we follow our own personal jouneys of maintaining a healthy mental health.
  6. It’s important to show up but try to be on time to honor everyone s time. We understand that one of the struggles with depression is showing up for commitments or arriving on time. If you’re coming but running late, do not disrupt others.
  7. Share space with others. This means letting others have the floor and listening when it's your turn to listen and your turn to speak. Everyone should have a fair turn and be mindful that we're all here to share.
  8. This group may not be used for anything other than connection and support. Performing Research, promoting business and products, discussing politics, religions, and treatments is prohibited. We may share about these topics in "what has helped from an *I* perspective" while steering away from giving advice or opinion.
  9. Make sure your audio is distraction free and in a safe spot where this is quiet and no others are around. Mute your mic if this is an issue.
  10. Treat online meetings as real meetings where we are providing our full attention to what is in front of us and the person speaking. Completely turn off distractions, TVS, flipping through tabs, typing.

**Please honor everyone's contribution to the group. Sharing personal information about oneself's mental health is NOT easy. Please treat what they have to say as a privilege.

This is a free group, but any support is appreciated for Meetup.com and Zoom costs.

Please venmo @guitarwritingperson
or through Pledge
https://www.meetup.com/nycdsg/#pledge