What is a peer support group?
An MDABC peer-led support group is a safe place to share your story, your struggles and accomplishments, and to listen to others as they share similar experiences. At an MDABC support group, you can get a sense of belonging, informal education about your mental health challenges, and the support of others who have ‘been there‘. Support groups are led by trained volunteers who also live with and deal with mental health concerns.
Support groups do not provide counselling or treatment.
Peer support groups are free of charge. Most groups do not require pre-registration, but before you join for the first time, it is important to connect with the facilitator and learn about how groups work. You may be asked to come to your first meeting early for an orientation.
The contact information for each group is provided in the lists below. Please note that some groups require pre-registration; contact the facilitator for details.
Medical professionals and agencies please note:
Please do not refer clients or patients to an MDABC peer support group for counselling or treatment of a mental health condition. Joining a support group is done by self-referral only. Also, do not send any client’s medical history to a support group leader or contact; this would be a violation of patient confidentiality. If you are interested in referring a client for treatment, please see our psychiatric clinic page or additional medical treatments page, or contact our office at (604) 873-0103.
The following groups are currently active
The list is organized by region for convenience, but many groups are operating online using Zoom. You can participate in online groups no matter where you are located, and no matter which region the group is based in.
| GROUP | WHEN | WHERE | CONTACT | |||
| Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Shore | ||||||
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Every Monday 6:30pm | Alternates between online and in-person meetings | Martin: martin.mdabc@hotmail.com | |||
| Moving Beyond Youth Group (ages 19-29) | Bi-weekly on Mondays 7:00 pm | Online | Email movingbeyond.bc@gmail.com for dates and Zoom info | |||
| Catalyst support group for women dealing with PTSD and post-traumatic growth | 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 7:00 to 9:00 pm Pre-registration is required. | Online | laurie.mdabc@gmail.com | |||
| Tuesday Evening Support Group | 1st, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Online | Dave: davemda@gmail.com or Lisa: lisakleiman2013@gmail.com |
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| Self-Compassion Group | Every Tuesday 6:30pm | Online | mdaselfcareselfcompassion@gmail.com | |||
| Faith-Based Evening Support Group This is not a standard MDABC group. It is a faith-based support group for people with mood disorders. It includes prayer and a devotional. | Every Tuesday 7 - 9 pm | Online | Please contact Janice for Zoom information | |||
| Mindfulness Group | Every Wednesday 5:00pm | Online | mindful.mooddisorders@gmail.com | |||
| Indigenous/First Nations Bipolar Support Group | 2nd & 4th Wednesday 7:00pm | indigenousbpsg@gmail.com | ||||
| Burnaby Faith-Based Support Group This is not a standard MDABC group. It is a faith-based support group for people with mood disorders. It includes prayer and a devotional. | 2nd and 4th Friday 12 noon - 2 pm | Brentwood Park Alliance Church 1410 Delta Ave., Burnaby | Please drop in. Contact Suzy |
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| MOSAIC East Side Support Group | Every Friday 2:00pm | Online | mosaicmda@gmail.com | |||
| Well-Being Meetup Recreation Group | April through September 2nd and 4th Fridays, 6:30 pm | Meet in front of Canada Place | Go to Facebook page Note: This is an activity group, not a sharing circle. |
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| The Burnaby Support Group | 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | Online | themdaburnabygroup@outlook.com | |||
| Families and Friends of People with Bipolar Disorder | 2nd & 4th Sunday 9:00am | Online | family.and.loved1s@gmail.com | |||
| Bipolar Support Group | Every Sunday 7:00pm | Online | mdabipolargroup@gmail.com | |||
| Delta, Surrey, Coquitlam, Fraser Valley | ||||||
| New West Adult Support Group | Every Thursday 7:00pm | Online | mdanewwest@gmail.com | |||
| South Surrey Depression Support Group | Thursdays, every two weeks, 7:00 pm In-person AND via Zoom | Online and in-person. Contact leader for location. | Contact Liam depressiongroup@icloud.com |
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| Abbotsford Adult Support Group | Every Thursday 7:00pm | Alternates between online and in-person meetings | Contact: mda.abbotsford@gmail.com |
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| Abbotsford Faith-Based Support Group This is not a standard MDABC group. It is a faith-based support group for people with mood disorders. It includes prayer and a devotional. | 2nd and 4th Friday 12 noon - 2 pm | Central Heights Church 1661 McCallum Road, Abbotsford | Please drop in. Contact Yolanda Schella or Brenda 604.302.7726 |
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| Tri-City Support Group | Fridays, alternate weeks Contact facilitator for dates | Online | Gayle or Carol tricity.mdabc@gmail.com |
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| Vancouver Island | ||||||
| Begbie Adult Support Group | 1st & 3rd Wednesday 7:30pm | Online, seeking an in-person location | begbiemoodsupport@hotmail.com | |||
| Interior BC | ||||||
| Vernon Adult Support Group | Every Friday at 1:30 pm | Canadian Mental Health Assoc. 3100 28th Avenue, Vernon, BC | Please drop in. For information, contact Patricia at 250.558.6900 |
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The following groups are on hold until further notice:
| GROUP | WHEN | WHERE | CONTACT | |
| METRO VANCOUVER REGION: | ||||
| Burnaby Peer Support Groups | ||||
| Langley Peer Support Groups | ||||
| The Dopers Group 2 | Every Wednesday 11:00am | The Bridge Community Church 5521 Brydon Crescent Langley, BC VA 4A4 | Please Drop In Contact: Nancy Fitzpatrick 236.880.1485 dopers604@gmail.com |
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| Richmond Peer Support Groups | ||||
| Surrey Peer Support Groups | ||||
| Newton Adult Support Group | Every 3rd Monday 6:00 – 8:00pm | The "Roost" Clubhouse 13582 68 Ave, Surrey, BC | Please Drop In Contact: Nuvi 604.561.5344 MDAfacilitator@hotmail.com |
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| The Dopers Group 1 | Every Tuesday 2:00pm | Health Building – Lookout Society 10697 – 135A Street Surrey, BC V3T 4E3 | Please Drop In Contact: Nancy Fitzpatrick 236.880.1485 dopers604@gmail.com |
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| Vancouver Peer Support Groups | ||||
| White Rock Peer Support Groups | ||||
| FRASER VALLEY REGION: | ||||
| Abbotsford Peer Support Groups | ||||
| VANCOUVER ISLAND/COASTAL REGION: | ||||
| Campbell River Support Groups | ||||
| Cowichan Valley - Duncan Support Groups | ||||
| Nanaimo Support Groups | ||||
| Powell River Support Groups | ||||
| COLUMBIA-SHUSWAP REGION: | ||||
| Salmon Arm Support Groups | ||||
| NORTH OKANAGAN REGION: | ||||
| Kelowna Support Groups | ||||
Support group documents
Lookout staff support group procedures – The Group Agreements that govern how meetings are conducted and how group members conduct themselves.
For information about how group meetings operate using Zoom, click here.