Hi Pinny, thanks for your sympathy and understanding. I did peer support in person before and never encountered anything like what I've encountered on zoom. Not all the groups post the contact info of who will be facilitating. For example the Canadian Mental Health Association does not. But many groups on meetup do. I've written to some of the organizers after having a disappointing experience in their meetups and have yet to receive a reply. I've just come to the conclusion that if I have an experience that leaves me feeling worse than I felt before the meeting then I'm not going back.

FluffyDinosaur, I agree with your analysis of parenthood. You seem to have a healthy approach to raising children. It's demanding to have 3 small kids and I applaud anyone who can manage that.

I haven't shared the anxiety that I have about my son with him, with one exception when I told him his not getting an eye doctor appointment after many months was giving me daily anxiety, but the truth is I have daily anxiety about him anyway. It has definitely gotten worse since he moved away. I am seeking therapy that I hope will help me cope and not feel like I am drowning every day.

BethRags, that's awesome that you are also a facilitator in addition to being a participant. Kudos to you. Maybe the NAMI meetings would have fewer issues than I have encountered but i have shied away from them because afaik they not only require a full name and contact info to register but one has to provide the name and contact info for an emergency contact person in order to sign up for a meeting. They contact that person before approving any registration. This is not something I am willing to accept as a condition for attending peer support meetings although I understand why they have these conditions in place.

Sapien, I'm glad you had a good experience in a zoom IOP meeting. I've also had good experiences at some of the groups where i ended up having uncomfortable or even painful experiences. I think it is really hit and miss and depends as BethRags said on the skills and personality of the facilitator.