Support Groups

Support groups are held virtually or in person.

 Please read below for details on each group. Look for email updates and informational posts on our Mental Health America of Lancaster County Facebook Page.

To subscribe to our email list, please scroll to the bottom of this page and enter your information in the “Subscribe to MHA Lancaster E-News” form. You will immediately be added to our distribution list.

Free Support Groups

Depression

Depression Support Group (Educational & Support Group): 

Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday of each month, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 
Held in-person at Mental Health America at 245 Butler Avenue, Suite 204, Lancaster PA 17601.
Peer-led support group for adults struggling with depression and seeking community, support, and ideas for wellness: drop-in, confidential, and free. 

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Support Group (Educational & Support Group): 

Every Monday, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Held at the Disability Empowerment Center: 941 Wheatland Ave, Lancaster PA 17603
Peer-led support group for adults and families of those with bipolar disorder: drop-in, confidential, and free. 
Directions: Please park in the parking lot on the corner of Race Rd and Wheatland Avenue and enter the building’s side entrance directly off of the parking lot. 

Anxiety, Panic, & OCD (Virtual)

Anxiety, Panic, and OCD Support Group:

Every Thursday from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 
Held virtually on Zoom

(For instructions and link, scroll down to “Accessing Virtual Groups on Zoom on this page)

Peer-led support group for adults struggling with anxiety, OCD or panic attacks seeking community, support, and ideas for wellness. Support groups are drop-in, confidential, and free; no registration required. 

Families of Suicide Loss Support Groups
Families of Suicide Loss Support Group:

Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Monday of each month, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Held at Mental Health America: 245 Butler Ave, Suite 204, Lancaster, PA 17601
Peer-led support group that welcomes those who have had someone close to them die by suicide. Support groups are drop-in, confidential, and free; no registration required. Must be 18+ to participate – if you are younger than 18, please try the Teen Support Group (see below). 

**NEW** Teen Suicide Support Group:
Every 2nd & 4th Monday of each month, 7:00PM – 8:30PM – Starting February 12, 2024
Held at Mental Health America: 245 Butler Ave, Suite 204, Lancaster, PA 17601
Support group for Teens ages 13-18 who have had someone close to them die by suicide. This group is facilitated by Amy King (the same facilitator as the Families of Suicide Loss group) and Andrea Wolf, RNP. This group is drop-in, confidential, and free; no registration required.

Led by Community Organizations

Additional Support Groups

NAMI Family Support & Educational Group: 2nd Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Contact Barbara Navin at 717-475-3882 and info@namilancopa.org for more information or to inquire about the current meeting location. 

“No Longer Alone” Family Support Group: 4th Sundays (except December), 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A program of Landis Communities: A place for those who have a loved one experiencing a mental illness to receive Christian Support. An educational program runs from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, followed by “Share and Care” groups meeting from 4:10 PM – 5:00 PM.

Psychology Today Support Group Listings: Click the title to find groups that apply to you and your needs in the listings provided here.

Therapy Den Group Listings: Click the title to find groups that apply to you and your needs in the listings provided here.

American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Support Group Listings: Click the title to find groups that apply to you and your needs in the listings provided here.

Prevent Suicide PA Support/Survivor Group Listings: Click the title to find groups that apply to you and your needs in the listings provided here.info@

Struggling with tech, but want to join a group?

It is a big step to attend your first support group, but it doesn’t need to be scary.

 

Don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support from an MHA staff member, should you still need guidance on using this tool for mental wellness.

 

Contact MHA at 717-397-7461 to obtain connectivity instructions for a phone, or video and audio, connection.


Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

your first support group

 

Accessing Virtual Groups on ZOOM

Before logging in, here are some things you should know:
1. It’s an easy process, and you don’t have to have a smart phone or a computer to participate in the group.
2. You may want to test your connection 10 minutes before the group starts to make sure you don’t miss anything.
3. Please mute your microphone when you are not speaking to create a quiet/clear listening channel for everyone.

4. Only one person can speak at a time. This limitation will cause voices to cut in and out, making it difficult for others to hear. Be patient and give everyone a chance to speak and pause after speaking to give everyone a chance to contribute.

In order to access our virtual support groups by COMPUTER, please do the following:
STEP 1: Click this link:
Meeting ID: 850 5820 1089 
STEP 2: Enter Passcode to join the Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 265428
 
 

What to Expect
At Your First Support Group Meeting

Peer-facilitated support groups are a great place to start your recovery journey. we hope you’ll find that by hearing others’ stories, you’ll feel less alone in your experience.

MHALC’s programs are peer-facilitated, which means the group leader has been in your shoes. He or she will truly understand what you’re going through, and can provide insights and advice based on firsthand experience.

All groups are free and held on a drop-in basis. You don’t have to sign-up in advance, and if you attend one time and it doesn’t feel like the right fit, you don’t have to come back. However, we do recommend that you give the group a few chances, as the dynamic can change every meeting and you might find your place after a few tries.

All meeting groups are confidential – this helps us build an environment where individuals can be honest and open.

You do not have to share your story at your first meeting; you can choose to just come and listen to others share – as you may feel more comfortable hearing how others have dealt with situations that are familiar to you. Or, you should feel welcome to share if you’re ready to do so and could use a caring ear to listen to your own story.

Reach out today – we are here to support you.

If you have questions regarding the groups,
call MHALC at 717-397-7261.

Note to Student Observers– We are currently not accepting student observers for Support Groups. When we do allow this in the future, please call the MHALC office to register for observations. Not all support groups will be open to observers.

You must be registered to attend as an observer; without a registration, you will be asked to leave the support group and return on a different evening. Thank you for understanding.

support groups mha lancaster county

You Are Not Alone

If you are looking for understanding from those who know what you are facing, then a support group may be just what you are looking for. There are several support groups to aid you in finding mutual help and building coping techniques that will guide you on your journey to wellness.

Support groups are a helpful addition to, or alternative to, traditional counseling and provide an opportunity to talk – or just listen to- other adults going through the same struggle as you.

Peer support is learning through information sharing. Join to just listen and let the group know if you are not ready to talk. That decision will be understood and respected.