Depression/Bipolar Peer Support Group

This peer support group is for individuals 18 and older dealing with depression and bipolar disorder. This recovery focused group offers a positive environment to share with others and learn life skills to manage depression and suicidal thoughts. This is a peer support and educational group, not a therapy group. Come share your own experiences and learn from the experiences of others. This group is offered free of charge, and drop ins are welcome.

MEETS 2 TIMES A MONTH BEGINNING JANUARY 2008!

1st Thursday of each month at
Zion Lutheran Church
815 East 16th Street
Loveland, Colorado

Since the early 90’s, a major shift has occurred in the mental health system which has dramatically altered the power dynamic between patients and providers. This “consumer” movement calls into question the way we, as a culture, view mentally ill people. Most importantly, it is changing the way that we, the people who have been diagnosed with mental illness, think and feel about ourselves.

We are taking back responsibility for our own mental health. We are no longer passive recipients, but actively engaged designers of our own treatment plans. Consumer based organizations have sprung up all over the country and mental health advocates, who are consumers themselves, work to ensure that our rights are protected. The idea that mentally ill persons can actually learn to live rich and productive lives is a far cry from the centuries old belief that mental illness is chronic and incurable. The term Recovery is becoming a part of our language.

In 1996, at the 6th Annual Mental Health Services Conference in Australia, Patricia E. Deegan, PhD. gave a keynote address titled” Recovery and the Conspiracy of Hope”. In her speech she affirmed, “Those of us with psychiatric disabilities can become experts in our own self care, can regain control over our lives and are responsible for our own individual journey of recovery”.

The literal meaning of the word is “to take back”. Recovery in the context of mental illness is about the process of taking back ones life. In 1993, Dr. William A. Anthony wrote “…a person with mental illness can recover even though the illness is not “cured”… (Recovery) is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life even with the limitations caused by illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in ones life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness”.

Those of us who live with depression, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses know that Recovery does not happen overnight, nor does it occur magically. This is a day to day struggle which requires, patience, hard work, self discipline and a great deal of courage. It is a process, not a destination.

Sober alcoholics, who adhere to the principles of AA, refer to themselves as “recovering”, or being “in recovery”. The AA philosophy is based on a medical model which views alcoholism and chemical dependency as a biologically based disease, which can be treated, but not cured. It is a lifetime condition which can be lived with by adhering to the philosophy and principles addressed in the 12 Steps. Recovery is about staying sober, one day at a time.

And so it is for us. We get out of bed and take a shower, when we long to hide under the covers. We call a friend when we are lonely, despite the fact that we are terrified of rejection. We spend time outdoors each day to absorb the healing light. We care for our bodies by eating well and exercising regularly. We seek community by attending peer support groups. We find a therapist who listens. We develop a spiritual life to guide us through the darkest times. We take our medication, even when we don’t want to. We find meaningful work to do, whether paid or volunteer. We learn to live on a budget. We learn to take responsibility for our own lives, one day at a time.

Once we have faced our fears, and endured that terrible “dark night of the soul” we realize that we are stronger than we ever knew, and we understand that we are not alone.