

Self-Help Support Groups [top]
In this section: Self-Help Support Groups England (exc London) | London | Scotland | Wales | Ireland | Internet Email Group| Starting a New Group | Q&A About Self Help Groups
Depression Self Help Groups provide a forum where people who are affected by depression can meet to share experiences and coping strategies with others in similar situations. Groups aim to provide mutual support and understanding in a non-judgemental, confidential environment. Group meetings are not the same as therapy (although they do have therapeutic value) but many people find that they gain much from the support and understanding of fellow members.
Finding your local group
New people are always welcome at the self help groups. To find out whether there is a group supported by Depression Alliance in your area please click on an option below:
England (exc. London) | London | Scotland | Wales | Ireland
About the Self Help Groups
The self help groups vary in many aspects but all welcome new members. Each group differs according to the needs, wishes and ideas of its members. They also vary in the frequency of meetings, in their size and their style. Some may have three or four other people who meet for coffee and a chat, others may be larger and invite occasional speakers on subjects of interest, such as aromatherapy or relaxation.
Groups may meet weekly or monthly, many meeting in a community centre, office or hall and some meet in the organiser's home.
Most groups operate an introduction system where each member has about five minutes to introduce themselves, providing new members with the opportunity to get to know others circumstances from the outset. However, you do not have to speak if you do not wish to, and the group members will always respect this.
Each group has a Group Organiser. This is generally a Depression Alliance member who has volunteered to be a local contact and to help set up and run the group. Please remember however that the Group Organiser is not a trained therapist and may be suffering from depression themselves. If you are in distress please call Saneline (0845 767 8000) or The Samaritans (0845 790 90 90) as a Group Organiser will be unable to assist you. Also remember to consider the time you are contacting a Group Organiser.
No groups in your area?
The list of groups registered with Depression Alliance does not cover every county however we often have new groups starting up. If you would like to register your interest to attend a new group, should one start-up in your area, please email us your full name, postal address and telephone number to Groups Enquiry. Please include 'new group attendee' in the subject heading.
Please also contact Mind who also run various self help groups throughout the country and visit our links and useful contacts pages for more help and support.
Self Help Groups - England (exc London) [top]
The groups currently meeting in England (excluding London) are listed below in English county order. For further information about these groups please email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Groups Enquiry. Please also include the location of the group that you wish to attend.
Avon | Berkshire | Cheshire | Derbyshire | Devon | Dorset | Essex | Greater Manchester | Hampshire | Hertfordshire | Isle of Man | Kent | Lancashire | Leicestershire | Lincolnshire | Merseyside | Middlesex | Norfolk | Northhamptonshire | Shropshire | Somerset|Surrey | Tyne & Wear | Warwickshire
|West Midlands | West Sussex | Yorkshire
| Self Help Groups - England (exc London) | ||
| Please note that **On Hold** groups are not currently meeting and proposed groups are not yet meeting. However, to register your interest in these groups please email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Groups Enquiry. Please also include the location of the group are interested in. | ||
| County | Group Name & Meeting Details | Group Contact |
|---|---|---|
Avon↑back |
BristolSee website for details |
group website Richard 07989 584 524 OR email organiser |
Cheshire↑back |
Romiley, StockportMeets every second Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9:00pm at the Life Centre, 3 Stockport Road Romiley also Saturdays 11:00 to 12:30 (phone to confirm) |
John 0161 430 1130 OR email organiser |
TraffordMeets every Wednesday, 1-3pm at Trafford CVS, Cadman House, Wharf Road, Sale, Cheshiremap |
group website 0161 226 5412 OR email organiser |
|
Derbyshire↑back |
Chesterfieldon hold |
Stuart 01246 231 094 |
DerbyMeets fortnightly on Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm at Resource Centre, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.map |
Jan or Heather 07891 801 467 OR email organiser |
|
Dorset↑back |
BournemouthMeets monthly, 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 6:30-8:30pm at Strouden Park Community Centre, Bradpole Rd (opp. Castlepoint Shopping Centre), Castle Lane. |
Judy 01202 888 013 |
Christchurch (Jimmy's)Meets monthly, 1st & 3rd Monday, 7:00-9:00pm at Homelands Hall, Kings Avenue Christchurch. |
Andrea 01202 478 336 OR email organiser |
|
Essex↑back |
Barking & Dagenham - CarersA monthly support group for carers. |
Georgina Southall 020 8593 4422 OR email organiser |
ChelmsfordMeets monthly on 1st Tuesday & 3rd Thursday 7:45-9:30pmThe Dukes Priory Hospital, Stump Lane, Springfield. map |
group website Malcolm 01621 740 583 |
|
LoughtonMeets every Monday, 5:00-7:00pm at Kingsley hall, Kingsley Road, Loughton |
group website Audrey 01992 576 307 OR organiser here or here |
|
Gr. Manchester↑back |
Volunteers to run groups currently wanted in this area. | |
Chorlton, Harpurhey, Hulme, North Manchester, SalfordMeets every Monday, 5:00-7:00pm at Kingsley hall, Kingsley Road, Loughton |
group website Self-Help Services 0161 226 5412 or Clare 0161 232 7312 or Caroline 0870 777 7832; or e-mail |
|
Hampshire↑back |
AndoverNew group meeting first Thursday in each month, 2-3:30pm at The Junction, Junction Rd. Time subject to change please contact before attending. |
Barbara 01264 333 833 OR email organiser |
Farnborough(Sunshine & Showers) Every Wednesday 7.00 - 8.30 p.m. |
group website Judi 01252 815 652 OR email organiser |
|
Fleet(Sunshine & Showers)Every Wednesday 1.00 - 2.30 p.m. |
group website Judi 01252 815 652 OR email organiser |
|
Hook(Sunshine & Showers)Every Tuesday 1.00 - 2.30 p.m. |
group website Judi 01252 815 652 OR email organiser |
|
SouthamptonOn Hold |
group website Mitch 07821 968 292 OR email organiser |
|
Winchester |
group website Des 01962 848 012 OR email organiser |
|
Yateley(Sunshine & Showers)Every Thursday 1.00 - 2.30 p.m. |
group website Judi 01252 815 652 OR email organiser |
|
Hertfordshire↑back |
Hitchincurrently on hold.map |
Sarah 01462 37 515 OR email organiser |
St AlbansMeets monthly, 3rd Friday at 7:30-9:30pm at St Albans & St Stephens Parish Hall (There is a large sign at the building with Parish Hall), Beaconsfield Road, near the station. |
Peter 01727 762347 OR Email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Group Enquiries |
|
WatfordMeets on the 3rd Thursday at 3:30-5:00pm at Guideposts Trust, Henry Smith House, 3-5 Estcourt Rdmap |
Lorna 01923 223 554 |
|
Kent↑back |
GreenhitheMeets first Tuesday of month, 7.30 - 9.30pm, St Mary's Church Hall, Mounts Rd, Greenhithe. | group website Claire 07748 572578 OR email organiser |
Medway - women onlyMeets monthly 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 10:30am-12:30pm at Balmoral Clinic, Gillinghammap |
Margaret 01634 718 471 |
|
Lancashire↑back |
BurnleyMeets every Thursday, 7:00-9:00pm at the Bethesda Street United Reformed Church, Bethesda Street - please phone before attending. |
Jan 07968 666 572 |
ClitheroeMeets Friday, 2pm at Wilkin Mount, 1 Highfield Road, Clitheroe. Please phone before attendingmap |
Anne 01200 429 333 |
|
Leicestershire↑back |
LeicesterMeets alternate Tuesdays in city centre |
Chris (female) Mon to Fri 10am-8pm 0116 251 9275 |
Lincolnshire↑back |
ScunthorpeMeets monthly, 2nd & 4th Thursday, 2:00-3:30pm at Mind Centre |
Susan 01724 279 500 |
Merseyside↑back |
LiverpoolPlease contact for next meeting details.Wheel-chair access and hearing loop. |
Ansaphone 0151 260 3560 OR Write: Merseyside FDA, 25 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BQ |
Middlesex↑back |
Northwood HillsMeets Tuesdays,6:00-8:00pm |
Phil - Hillingdon Mind 01895 271 317 or 01895 271 559 OR email organiser |
Norfolk↑back |
NorwichMeets alternate Thursday evenings |
Email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Group Enquiries |
Northamptonshire↑back |
Kettering |
group website Peter 01604 881 850 |
Shropshire↑back |
Telford |
Wendy 01952 541 409 OR email organiser |
Surrey↑back |
Farnham |
Email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Group Enquiries |
Camberley(Sunshine & Showers)Every Monday 11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. |
group website Judi 01252 815 652 OR email organiser |
|
Richmond upon ThamesMeets monthly, 1st Thursday, 8:00-9:30pm, Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church, Ormond Roadmap |
Email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Group Enquiries |
|
WokingMeets fortnightly, 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, 8:00-10:00pm at Corner House, 2 Courtney Roadmap |
group website Paul Field 01483 757 461 OR email organiser |
|
Tyne & Wear↑back |
Newcastle |
Launchpad 0191 233 0382 OR email organiser |
SunderlandMeets every Tuesday,10:30am-12:00pm at Headlight, 14 Mary St, Town Centre map |
Julie 0191 510 1494 OR email organiser |
|
Wallsendsee website or write asking for meeting programme (enclosing a s.a.e.) to Wallsend Self Help Group, P.O. Box 5, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear, NE28 6DZ |
group website |
|
Warwickshire↑back |
RugbyMeets fortnightly on Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm at Octopus Centre, St. Cross Hospital Rugbymap |
John Reeve 01788 562 612 |
West Midlands↑back |
Birmingham - Gay, lesbian & bisexualMeets Thursdays 7:30-9:30pm |
Switchboard 0121 622 6589 OR Write: PO Box 3626 Birmingham, B5 4LG |
Birmingham (Erdington)Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday 10:30am to 12:30 pm at Erdington Library |
Jo 07879 222 374, e-mail organiser | |
Smethwick |
Heather 0121 565 1915 OR email organiser |
|
Sutton Coldfield |
Email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Group Enquiries | |
WalsallMeets monthly on 1st Wednesday at 7:00-8:30pm |
Peter 01922 858 482 |
|
West Sussex↑back |
Worthing, BroadwaterMeets fortnightly on Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm |
group website email organiser |
Yorkshire↑back |
Batley |
group website Ansaphone (Kathleen/Jason) 01924 446 413 OR email organiser |
Bentham (N. Yorks residents only) |
Lynda 01524 262 672 |
|
Halifax (Shibden)Meets monthly on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 1:00-3:00pm |
Ansaphone 01422 368 435 OR email organiser |
|
Horbury, WakefieldMeet Tuesday afternoon at the Horbury Health Centre |
Karen Evans 01924 267 127 Linda Dawson 079 600 100 65 OR email organiser |
|
Leedsmeets on a Tuesday evening in the city centre |
Group contact Self Help Initiatives Project (SHIP) 0113 224 2700, e-mail email | |
YorkMeets on 3rd Wednesday of month at 7.00 p.m. at Fishergate Room CVS Building, 15 Priory Street (off Micklegate). |
York Mind 01904 647349 | |
Self Help Groups - London [top]
The groups currently meeting in London are listed below - all welcome new people. For further information about groups in London please email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Groups Enquiry. Please also include the location of the group you wish to attend.
| Self Help Groups - London | |||
| Please note that **On Hold** groups are not currently meeting and proposed groups are not yet meeting. However, to register your interest in these groups please email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Groups Enquiry. Please also include the location of the group are interested in. | |||
| Borough | Group Name & Meeting Details | Group Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|
Barking & Dagenham Carers- a monthly support group for carers. |
group website | Georgina 020 8593 4422 OR email organiser |
|
BarnetMeets twice a month in North Finchley |
group website |
Sue or Anne 0789 6610 479 OR email organiser |
|
Brent - Ladies over 50 |
group website | Brent Mind 020 8451 3200 |
|
Camden & Islington - CarersMeets last Thursday of each month 7-9pm |
group website | Gemma 020 7833 2864 OR email organiser |
|
Croydon (Addiscombe) |
group website |
Norma 020 8684 3651 OR email organiser |
|
Ealing & Hounslow - Asian Women |
Inderjit 020 8574 2552 |
||
IslingtonMeets on Thursdays every other week from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm near the Angel Tube. Contact organiser for details |
Nick 0870 034 7067 OR email replacing (at-sign) with @. nickadmin (at-sign) blueyonder.co.uk |
||
Islington - Over 60s |
Emma or Cathy 020 7272 1847 |
||
Kensington & Chelsea Over 60s**On Hold** |
Natali 020 8969 9105 OR email organiser |
||
London - Prisoners' Families & Friends |
Audrey 020 7403 4091/9359 |
||
Southwark - South Asian Women |
Sukhdeep 020 7928 9889 |
||
Streatham |
Philip 020 8675 5080 OR email organiser |
||
WaterlooMeets monthly, 1st Saturday 2:00-5:00pm, South-East London NHS building, 4th Floor, 1 Lower March, London SEI. map |
Email your full name, postal address and telephone number to email organiser | ||
West HampsteadMeets on the first Wednesday of the Month 7:30 to 9:30pm. Contact organiser for details |
Nick 0870 034 7067 OR email replacing (at-sign) with @. nickadmin (at-sign) blueyonder.co.uk |
||
Self Help Groups - Scotland [top]
For further information about the Depression Self Help Groups in Scotland please email Mel or write to Mel, Groups Development Officer, Depression Alliance Scotland, 3 Grosvenor Gardens, Edinburgh EH12 5JU, or telephone on 0131 467 3050. Full Details on the groups are also available by clicking here.
Ireland [top]
Information about support groups in Eire and Northern Ireland can be obtained from "Aware" - their website can be accessed at:
www.aware.ie email info@aware.ie.
www.aware-ni.org email help@aware-ni.org
Internet Email Group DATalk [top]
DATalk is an Internet discussion and email forum, which allows its users to share experiences and coping strategies with others in similar situations. The principles behind it are similar to our network of self-help groups, but it is particularly appropriate for those people who may not feel ready to attend a group, who do not have a group in their area, or who prefer to communicate by e-mail. If you are already a member and would like more information about Datalk, please email DATalk Enquiry or download an information sheet.
For more information on becoming a member, go to our membership page.
Starting or Attending a New Group [top]
If you find that there is no group meeting in your area Depression Alliance always welcomes enquiries from people who are interested in starting up or attending a new self help group. If you'd like to know more about setting up a local group please email your full name, postal address and telephone number to Groups Enquiry. Please put in the Subject heading 'Groups Start Up Information Request'. To find out more you can view the latest edition of Chatline, the newsletter for group organisers, on line.
If you would like to register interest to attend a new group if one starts in your area please also contact Groups Enquiry with your name and contact details.
Q&A About Self Help Groups
When you are affected by depression, the prospect of attending a self-help group can be very intimidating. Here are just a few of the 'myths' which may deter you from attending your local group:
Attending a self-help group may be a negative experience which will make me feel even more low' Group meetings are positive experiences where people feel able to express their feelings without explanation and guilt. Members find it easier to support people through their difficulties, and this may help to reduce feelings of worthlessness.
'Other group members will impose their views about causes, recovery and treatment'
Self-help group meetings are based on the mutual respect of every member's opinions and beliefs. People are required to have a non-judgemental attitude and must not dominate the group, aggressively promote one set of beliefs, or refuse to listen to others or make room for their experiences. Members discuss treatment options but are always advised to consult their healthcare practitioner about any concerns. Please download ourrecommended ground rules that we provide to self-help groups.
'Other group members will not be able to relate to my situation and I will feel more isolated and vulnerable'
Because they are attended by people suffering from or recovering from depression, all groups provide an environment where members feel confident and comfortable in sharing experiences with others. We also have a few specialist groups for Asian women, gays and lesbians, the elderly, young people, women only, and carers for depressed people.
'I'll be expected to share more information about my feelings and experiences than I feel ready for'
Most groups operate an 'introduction' system where each member has about five minutes to introduce themselves, providing new members with the opportunity to get to know others' circumstances from the outset. You do not have to speak if you do not wish to and the groups will always respect this, as they will throughout meetings.
Please remember...
Many of the groups listed here are developed and coordinated by volunteers (called 'Group Organisers'). Group organisers are not expected to be experts on depression, nor are they trained to offer counselling or therapy to individuals. Please do not telephone a group organiser for this purpose; for emotional support and information please call Saneline or The Samaritans. If there are no groups listed here that are in your area please contact Mind who also run various self-help groups across the country.
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Saneline 08457 67 80 00
The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
MIND 08457 660 163
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