What Support Options Does DBSA Offer for Depression and Bipolar Disorder?

Updated

DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) offers four main support routes: online support groups, in-person DBSA chapters and support groups, identity- and age-specific groups (young adults, teens, friends and family, cultural and identity groups), and peer support resources including suicide prevention information. The right option depends on whether you want to attend from home, meet locally, or connect with people who share your specific life situation. All of these are peer support — people with lived experience of mood disorders — not a substitute for clinical treatment.

Online vs. in-person support: how to choose

Dimension Online Support Groups DBSA Chapters and In-Person Support Groups
Where it happens Remote, accessed through DBSA Local chapter meetings in person
Best for People with limited local options, mobility or scheduling constraints, or who prefer privacy at first People who value face-to-face connection and a regular local community
How to start Look for the online support groups entry on the DBSA site Find a DBSA chapter near you, then check its meeting details
What to expect A facilitated peer group format A chapter-run group, typically led by trained facilitators

If you are unsure, start online to test the format, then move to a local chapter if you want more regular in-person contact.

Specialized groups by age, role, and identity

DBSA separates some support by who you are, which matters because the concerns differ:

  • Young adults — a dedicated support space for people in this life stage.
  • For teens — youth-oriented support, alongside DBSA Mood Crew® tools for children.
  • Support for friends and family — for parents, caregivers, and loved ones, who often need their own space to process.
  • Cultural and identity support groups — groups organized around shared identity, so discussions can reflect relevant experiences.

Choose a specialized group if your main need is being understood by people in a similar situation; choose a general group if you mainly want broad peer contact.

Peer support and crisis-related information

DBSA frames peer support as a core benefit: connecting with others who live with depression or bipolar disorder. Its support section also includes Suicide Prevention Information, which is the entry point to check if you or someone else is in crisis. Peer groups complement, but do not replace, professional care — DBSA's separate Treatment Options and "Seeking Mental Health Treatment" pages cover therapy, medications, and communicating with providers.

How to find or start a DBSA support group

  1. To join: go to the Support section and choose either Online Support Groups or DBSA Chapters to see what is available; for a local group, select a chapter and review its meeting information.
  2. To start one: use the "Start a DBSA Support Group" entry, which sits alongside resources for support group facilitators.
  3. To facilitate online: DBSA lists a path to become a National Online Support Group Facilitator under Get Involved.
  4. Verify before attending: confirm the current schedule and format on the specific group or chapter listing, since details are maintained at that level.

Common sticking point: people often look only under "Support" and miss facilitator training and volunteer pathways, which are listed under Get Involved.

Beyond groups: education and self-management tools

If you want skills rather than a group, DBSA's Wellness section includes the DBSA Wellness Toolbox, Wellness Wheel, Wellness Tracker, and a Recovery Goal Setting Course, plus the Living Successfully course under Education. These are self-paced complements to support groups — useful if you are not ready to join a group or want structure between meetings.