[Miss Laura]

Hey guys,

Ok so it goes like this....

In my local area there are no support groups for people who suffer from Bipolar. There is a group for Depression but that is it.

My Support Worker has said I could if I wanted to set a group up. But I am a bit unsure. Can I do this? Am I stable enough to do this?

I would love to be able to be so confident and be able to do this.

I would want to do a starter pack stating about Bipolar and what it is, all the different types there are, medication and therapy which can be used, professionals to see, websites and charities you can contact, crisis numbers and websites, things to do to improve your mental health.

I would also have to get a location for the group. I think I would like to meet either fortnightly or monthly. It would be free if I can get funding. It would need to be at night so people can get to it and central too so people from all over my area could come.

I would like to set up a FB page too.... to bring in a widere audience, people from other area's etc. I would also want if I can get it guest speakers ie professionals who could come and give people advice etc

What do you guys think? Is this too ambitious?

[rcsweep]

Originally Posted by Miss Laura

Hey guys,

Ok so it goes like this....

In my local area there are no support groups for people who suffer from Bipolar. There is a group for Depression but that is it.

My Support Worker has said I could if I wanted to set a group up. But I am a bit unsure. Can I do this? Am I stable enough to do this?

I would love to be able to be so confident and be able to do this.

I would want to do a starter pack stating about Bipolar and what it is, all the different types there are, medication and therapy which can be used, professionals to see, websites and charities you can contact, crisis numbers and websites, things to do to improve your mental health.

I would also have to get a location for the group. I think I would like to meet either fortnightly or monthly. It would be free if I can get funding. It would need to be at night so people can get to it and central too so people from all over my area could come.

I would like to set up a FB page too.... to bring in a widere audience, people from other area's etc. I would also want if I can get it guest speakers ie professionals who could come and give people advice etc

What do you guys think? Is this too ambitious?

i go to a local peer run group, it is at the mental health asociation/nami offices. check with any local asociations if they have space and can sponsor it. start small and get others to help so you dont get overwhelmed. as it gets going add in guest speakers, ect.

[Miss Laura]

Thanks Rcsweep,

I go to the local Depression group so kinda in a sense know what it's like to attend a group. The problem is we had our funding cut so we actually attend the group on our on basis. There are the 2 volunteers who are still in recovery from Depression who volunteered their time when we had funding. They volunteer their time and we meet fortnightly 3:30pm- 5:30pm every 2nd Monday. I would need to look for a place to hold the meetings as well the Depression group actually meets up in a local pub that is fairly quiet and its discreet too.

Thanks for your input..... I am thinking now

[Anneinside]

I go to a peer support group for bipolar and depression. We don't have speakers except during May - mental health month. A nurse who has a brother with bipolar set up the group. She makes copies of articles that may be helpful to people, usually from BP magazine. BP has their old issues online and you can print them out. There are many "regulars" in the group. We read the DBSA guidelines for groups - confidentiality, respect, no side conversations, share the air, etc. We then go around the tables and introduce ourselves (first names only) and say why we are there. Then someone will bring up a topic or situation they are in and the conversation starts. We have no real problem keeping discussions going. If it gets quiet the nurse will ask someone who hadn't if they want to check in. You are free to decline. It is a low pressure, friendly, supportive, informative group. We occasionally will get someone in the group who is not really ready to participate in a group. They usually don't stay in the group very long although they are treated well. (example is someone who is actively psychotic and out of touch with reality; someone who doesn't believe they have bipolar). We meet on the first and third Wednesday of the week in a room provided by the mental health clinic the nurse works at. Churches are often willing to provide space for support groups. Don't get too ambitious, keep it simple.

[Anneinside]

One more comment. There is no cost to the group I go to. There is no need for funding unless you have to pay to rent a place... if that happens I would keep looking for a free space like at a church. I don't know what we would need funding for, other than photocopying articles and for that you could ask for the cost like 10 cents a page.

[Miss Laura]

Hey Anneinside,

I would want someone on site who was trained in Mental Health or Bipolar just in case I could not answer or other people could not answer questions. A friend of mines has said I should try and get a team behind me so that if I can't be there someone who is willing and interested in Mental Health/Bipolar could be there. I totally agree with her there as if I am not well I would rather not have the weight on my shoulders.

I would like experts in different aspects of life to come in and chat about things. I would like to set up a Facebook page for members to check in to every so often. I would like the group to run monthly and I would like to make it inviting but not intrusive. Likewise 1st name terms no need to tell us about your job. I like this idea as I am in a depression group and this is what we do.

I don't know if this is too ambitious. I really don't want to fall flat on my face

[faerie_moon_x]

I think a team is a good strategy. I know I get very ambitious on things. I tried to run a forum once... It was going well while I was manic. But then I dropped off and I don't know what happened to it. I just kind of abandoned everyone. None of them knew I had bipolar, in fact I don't think I was diagnosed just yet. That was a few years ago now.

A team is a great idea, though. Just like a forum it isn't just one person that can do everything. You have moderators who can help. I think that would be great for a support group. Having safety nets is always a good idea.