Support groups can be hit-or-miss. The best support group experience I have ever had was with a DBSA (the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) affiliate in the Boston, MA area. It was a very widely attended group with a lot of resources. There were enough people to split up into different sub-interests. A group for people with bipolar, people with depression, family members, a creativity group, spirituality, etc. Once a month they would have guest speakers (such as Kay Redfield Jamison, "Electroboy", and the occasional non-consumer researcher or clinician giving a layman's presentation on current psych issues). It was entirely peer-driven. As a rule, all DBSA groups have to have a clinician on-hand for guidance if needed, but they don't usually go to the meetings but are on-call if needed. The group leaders have specialized facilitator training they go through, to help keep the group focused and civilized if emotions get too high. It really is one of the flagship groups for the organization, and I miss it quite a bit. If anyone in the Boston area wants to know more about it, feel free to PM me.