Support for Everyday People

SUPPORT for EVERYDAY PEOPLE
“Our focus is not having a focus.”

Mental well-being is often overlooked. Join us for a comfortable, helpful discussion about what’s bothering you and how you’re dealing with it.

If you are going through a stressful situation but think it’s not serious enough for a “regular” support group, welcome to SfEP.

My name is Rob and I'm up against various issues, like Depression, probable ADHD (I haven't been tested), and a nervous system condition that causes me to move slowly and/or awkwardly and stumble on my words sometimes. I'm also neuro-divergent (meaning my brain works differently than “typical” people) and I over-think just about everything, which usually makes things interesting in a negative way.

But I'm also facing everyday problems, like lack of motivation, trying to navigate the dating world, and forgetting to put the garbage out.

I understand that people are not as open as me, but am letting you know that it’s OK if you want to be. (Equally OK if you'd rather not.)

I haven’t been able to find a varied group, so I started SfEP, for myself and other everyday people who are going through *something*, regardless of what it exactly is.

Anybody can attend. It doesn't matter what you look like, how you believe, who you were/are, or which way you lean on any issue.

SfEP is for support, feedback, and discussion. Getting things off your chest can be very reliving. Come to talk about such things with like-minded people.

This group is not part of another nor is it sponsored by anyone. It is for all of us, myself included. I am not a therapist nor licensed professional of any kind, but I have experience being in therapy and support groups, and modeled this one after aspects I disliked about others.

This should not replace any organization, but add to a situation you already have. If you drink alcohol every day, go to AA. If you occasionally indulge too much, you probably belong here.

I am not a strict person, but here are some guidelines I would like everybody to follow:
*Let’s practice confidentiality. Anything that's said in the group should not leave it.
*We can discuss anything you share, but it’s understood that sometimes people just need to vent. Simply say so if you don't want feedback.
*Feel free to vent about work, politics, or religion, but don't stop there. Tell us how a specific situation affected you and your response to it. Ranting about such issues is what going out with your friends is for.
*If you disagree with someone, create a dialogue instead of attacking the person. Also, don’t try to one-up anybody. Having issues is not a competition.
*Share as much or as little as you'd like. Or feel free to silently sit and observe. No one is ever required to speak.
*Respect whoever is talking. It takes a lot of courage to share personal things with people you just met, so don't interrupt. If you leave, wait until the person has concluded.
*Give as much of your name as you'd like or make one up if you'd rather not tell the group. We won't know!
*Feel free to curse, yell, speak other languages, or whatever else you need to do in order to feel comfortable.
*Dress however you'd like, but stay away from controversial slogans and imagery. If you question whether or not to wear something, just don't.
*Keep in mind some people might get upset if you bring up a delicate topic, like death. If you see that somebody is bothered, consider switching to another point. On the other side, if something triggers you, respectfully shield yourself from it.
*Come once, weekly, or somewhere in between. Whatever works for you.
*Sympathy = feeling bad for someone's situation without direct knowledge of it
example: a friend's pet died but you've never had one
Empathy = relating to someone's plight
example: having gone through break-ups, you help someone with theirs
*There will not be a hard stop at 9:00. If a meeting goes beyond that, so be it. Also, taking a break is optional and can be decided by the group.
*Be present- save texting for breaks or after the meeting and silence your phone while attending. You came for a reason.
*All of the above can be summed up with two words- BE RESPECTFUL of the people attending and the space in which we meet.

My goal with this group is to provide an outlet for people who feel that a “focused” group wouldn’t be right for them. Bottling things up inside is always an unhealthy idea, so I’m acknowledging that we all need to let them out.

I sincerely hope it helps.

~Rob

Meetings will start at 7:30, so please arrive by 7:20. Lateness is disrespectful and very annoying.

Bonn Place will be closed to the public and for sales of any kind, so this group will be the only thing happening in it.

PARKING
Until something with the parking authority gets figured out, please respect their rules. There is metered parking on Mechanic Street, which goes until 9pm and is $1.50 per hour. Free parking is available two blocks away on Columbia Street. Do not park in the lot across Mechanic Street from Bonn, as it is permit-only.