Support Groups
A safe space to connect with others who know what you're going through.
All groups are free to attend. Groups are co-facilitated by an MHAOhio-trained peer and/or a mental health professional. All groups are non-clinical and meeting times are subject to change. For more information, please contact Erica Duncan at eduncan@mhaohio.org or 614-257-7122.
Depression, Bipolar, & Mood Disorders
Anxiety & OCD
Schizophrenia & Psychotic Spectrum Disorders
Families In Touch
Support for friends and family members of adults living with mental illness.
Pregnant and Postpartum Moms
Contact Hailee Childs at 614-315-8989 or hchilds@mhaohio.org with any questions or concerns about accessing POEM groups online or over the phone.
Pregnant and Postpartum Moms
Day & Time: First and Third Saturday, from 10am to 11:30pm
Location: Ellie Mental Health, 450 Alkyre Run Dr Suite 250, Westerville, OH 43082
Pregnant and Postpartum Moms
Location: 911 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
Pregnant and Postpartum Moms
Black and African American Moms
Location: Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA - YMCA of Central Ohio, 130 Woodland Ave, Columbus, OH 43203
Peer Recovery Supporters Group
A group to provide a safe, confidential space to share professional and personal challenges.
Support Group Guidelines
We are passionate about the importance of providing space for people to talk about shared experiences and find support for their mental health. It is everyone’s responsibility to create a sense of safety in this group. Please review and uphold the following participant conduct guidelines.
Our groups recognize and affirm neurodivergence, difference, and varying symptomology. For safety, individuals who are escalated, and/or individuals who are not genuinely in the group for mental health support, may be asked to step out. In that case, our Support Groups Manager will reach out to determine next steps together.
What is shared here, stays here.
We take privacy seriously. Please wear headphones if you are around others during group, and keep the identity of other participants confidential. If you see someone from group in public, keep their identity and personal information private. Additionally, when sharing a story that involves someone else, please do not use identifying information like their name. One exception to confidentiality is if a facilitator has reasonable indication that you or someone else is at imminent risk of harm; in that case, we’ll take steps to access help.
This is not professional group therapy.
This is a peer-to-peer community support group. While many of our facilitators are mental health professionals, and all facilitators have received adequate training, immediate clinical concerns must be addressed by a health care professional – not during group. Facilitators are happy to provide resources, or you can call our Get Connected line at 614-242-4357.
If you are experiencing a crisis, please call 614-276-2273, or text or call 988.
We listen without interruption, but share the air.
We listen quietly to each person without interruption or comment. For online groups, the chat should be used only to ask or answer questions related to the current conversation.
Please do not interrupt the facilitator while they are reading guidelines or leading Sixty Seconds to Settle, and do not take it personally if facilitators ask you to wrap up so others have a chance to speak as well. Silences are okay! They give us time to process, build up the nerve to speak, and unmute ourselves.
We give each other respect, non-judgement, and compassion
We each have different values, lifestyles, experiences, and preferences. We agree to use this time to share our own thoughts and feelings and not to debate or convince others to take our point of view. Deragatory remarks related to identity (such as race, gender, or religion), beliefs, or other factors (i.e., culture, language, appearance, or ability) are considered violations of this guideline. We respect others’ boundaries (ex. choosing not to disclose something or staying off camera unless otherwise noted by the facilitators) and unique needs.
Use "I" statements and speak from your own experience.
All emotions are welcome.
Laughter and tears are welcome here. We trust every person’s ability to navigate their feelings. Feelings are neither right or wrong – we acknowledge, accept, and explore them all. If you feel strong or intense emotions, breathe and take your time. The facilitator will ensure that intense emotions do not interfere with the safety of the group.
Take care of yourself while you're in a group
While we strive to keep the space emotionally safe, some people may occasionally find that they need to step away for a moment to process individually. If you need to leave the room or move around for a moment, consider turning off your video or audio until you’re ready again. We all know what is best for our own selves, and carry the primary responsibility for our wellbeing during and after the group.
Reach out for additional support when you need it
We recognize that people are joining us from various stages in their mental health journey and have a wide spectrum of needs. Please feel free to contact the Support Groups Manager, Erica, at eduncan@mhaohio.org (614-257-7122) with any questions, feedback, or concerns. MHAOhio abides by the Client Rights and Client Grievance procedure.
Statement on Outside Contact
It is okay, and encouraged, to reach out to people outside of the group if you’d like to talk further. Our recommendation is to offer your contact information or event information rather than request someone else’s information. Just as we respect boundaries within the group, please be aware that not everyone will be looking for outside contact and may politely decline. Participants accept full responsibility for navigating outside contact including frequency of contact, content, privacy, safety, and termination of the relationship if desired. Mental Health America of Ohio does not monitor participants’ communication or actions outside of the group.
Are online meeting expectations any different?
Check out our Zoom meeting guide.
- Please mute yourself when not talking.
- Video participation is strongly encouraged, but it is not required. Seeing each other’s faces helps us
connect in a way similar to an in-person group. - Use earbuds, headphones, or headset if you have them available. This also helps to cut down on noise disruption for you and other attendees.
- Try your best to find a quiet place to participate. In this format, it is impossible for us to guarantee that there will be no disruption, but we can limit disruptions by joining meetings in environments we expect to remain private. If you have to attend to the needs of an infant or child during a meeting, that’s okay! Just mute your sound, turn off your video, and attend to your family.
- Do not take any screenshots or invite others to the group for any reason during an online meeting.
