These are the Group Guidelines we follow at our meetings:

1. Confidentiality: What is said in group stays in group. We respect privacy.
2. Safety: Respect others and observe boundaries. See a facilitator if you have any concerns.
3. Medicine & Doctors: We do not prescribe, diagnose, or give advice. Advice only comes from professional care givers. We do not name medications of any kind.
4. Participation: You have the right to pass. Participation is voluntary.
5. Unrelated Activities: No cell phones, texting, or food during group. Cell phone must be on vibrate.
6. Listening: Listen to others without interrupting. Raise your hand to respond. One person speaks at a time.
7. “I” Statements: Use “I” statements and share from your own positive experiences, insights, and coping skills.
8. Judgment: We do not judge or criticize each other.
9. Sharing: Our time is limited, and we start and stop on time. We need to give equal opportunity, for sharing as well as feedback, to all group members.
10. Accountability: We are responsible for ourselves, our actions, and our wellness.

Other things to know before attending:

• We are not professionals, nor is our group a substitute for professional treatment. We offer peer support, not therapy or education. New Beginnings is a self-help group.
• All groups are free.
• All groups start on time. We may leave early if everyone is finished speaking, but we never end late.
• Everyone present must be at least 19 years old.
• Those attending for the first time take their turns in the second half of the meeting.
• Supportive people (family and friends of the person with the mood disorder) are welcome to attend. However, we ask that supportive people just listen and observe.
• This is not a dating group. Group will not be used as a dating service.
• We can talk about medications as long as we don’t name them. For example, instead of saying “Prozac”, please just say “antidepressant”.
• We watch our language. Swearing and other graphic or inappropriate talk is unwelcome.
• We maintain a positive environment. Group is not a dumping ground or pity party. We want to feel better when we leave than when we arrived!

New Beginnings Peer Support

You are not alone!