Most in-person support groups are on hold, pending improvements in the COVID situation. See the table below for a list of groups that are currently operating. Some of these groups have in-person meetings as well as video.
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 a 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 meeting ONLINE:
| GROUP | WHEN | CONTACT | ||
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Every Monday 6:30pm | Martin: martin.mdabc@hotmail.com | ||
| Moving Beyond Youth Group (ages 19-29) | Bi-weekly on Mondays 7:00 pm | 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. | laurie.mdabc@gmail.com | ||
| Tuesday Evening Support Group | 1st, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Dave: davemda@gmail.com or Lisa: lisakleiman2013@gmail.com |
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| Self-Compassion Group | Every Tuesday 6:30pm | mdaselfcareselfcompassion@gmail.com | ||
| ICMH Victoria Support Group | 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7:30pm | Ken: 250.475.1843 | ||
| Mindfulness Group | Every Wednesday 5:00pm | mindful.mooddisorders@gmail.com | ||
| Indigenous/First Nations Bipolar Support Group | 2nd & 4th Wednesday 7:00pm | indigenousbpsg@gmail.com | ||
| Begbie Adult Support Group | 1st & 3rd Wednesday 7:30pm | begbiemoodsupport@hotmail.com | ||
| New West Adult Support Group | Every Thursday 7:00pm | mdanewwest@gmail.com | ||
| South Surrey Depression Support Group | Thursdays, every two weeks, 7:00 pm In-person AND via Zoom | Contact Liam depressiongroup@icloud.com |
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| Abbotsford Adult Support Group | Every Thursday 7:00pm | Contact: mda.abbotsford@gmail.com |
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| MOSAIC East Side Support Group | Every Friday 2:00pm | mosaicmda@gmail.com | ||
| Tri-City Support Group | Fridays, alternate weeks Contact facilitator for dates | Gayle or Carol tricity.mdabc@gmail.com |
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| Burnaby Adult Support Group | 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | mdaburnabygroup@gmail.com | ||
| Families and Friends of People with Bipolar Disorder | 2nd & 4th Sunday 9:00am | family.and.loved1s@gmail.com | ||
| Bipolar Support Group | Every Sunday 7:00pm | mdabipolargroup@gmail.com | ||
IN PERSON Support Groups (on HOLD until further notice):
| METRO VANCOUVER REGION: | ||||
| Burnaby Peer Support Groups | ||||
| GROUP | WHEN | WHERE | CONTACT | |
| Faith Based Support Group | 2nd & 4th Friday 12:00 – 2:00pm | Brentwood Park Alliance Church 1410 Delta Avenue Burnaby, BC *This is not an MDABC support group. This is a faith-based support group for those with mood disorders. It includes prayer and a devotional, followed by discussion | Please Drop In Contact: Suzy smmdennis@hotmail.com |
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| Langley Peer Support Groups | ||||
| Take Action Adult Group | 2nd & 4th Tuesday 6:00 – 8:00pm | Langley Public Library 20399 Douglas Crescent, City Hall Langley, BC | Please Drop In Contact: Kathy 604.551.0419 mdalangley@gmail.com |
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| 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 | ||||
| Adult Support Group | 2nd & 4th Monday 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Richmond General Hospital 7000 Westminster Highway Room # 4 in Rotunda Richmond, BC * Before 8pm use South entrance (between Emergency and parkade) * After 8pm use Emergency entrance only | Please Drop In Contact: mdabc.richmond.group@gmail.com |
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| 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 | ||||
| Monday Support Group | Every Monday* 1:30 – 3:30pm *Except Stat Holidays | The Counselling and Wellness Centre at MDABC Suite 480-789 West Pender St. Vancouver, BC | Space is limited. Please use the contact e-mail address to let us know that you plan to attend. Contact: ravensongmonday@gmail.com |
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| Evening Support Group | GROUP ON HOLD 2nd & 4th Thursday 7:30 – 9:30pm | Shaughnessy Heights Church 1550 W 33rd Ave (at Granville) Vancouver, BC | PLEASE CHECK With MDABC for Updates Contact MDABC: 604.873.0103 (ext.346) |
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| Faith Based Evening Support Group - via ZOOM | Every Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00pm | Note: this meeting is currently via Zoom. Not in person. * This is not an MDABC support group. This is a faith-based support group for those with mood disorders. It includes prayer. | Please email for Zoom info Contact: Janice janiceelderton@gmail.com |
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| Wellbeing Meetup Group | Various dates and times | Various locations click here for more information * Please note that this is an activity group, not a sharing circle | Facebook page: MDA Wellness Recreation Group | |
| Women's Support Group | First Monday 5:45 – 7:15pm | The Counselling and Wellness Centre at MDABC Suite 480- 789 West Pender St. Vancouver, BC * Please arrive by 5:45 to access door. Front building door is locked at 6pm | Please Drop In Contact: mdabc.women@gmail.com |
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| White Rock Peer Support Groups | ||||
| Whale House Support Group | 1st & 3rd Friday 10:00 – 11:30am | 15877 Pacific Ave, White Rock, BC | Contact: 604.873.0103 (ext: 346) |
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| FRASER VALLEY REGION: | ||||
| Abbotsford Peer Support Groups | ||||
| Faith Based Support Group | 1st & 3rd Fridays 12:30 – 2:30pm | Central Heights Church 1661 McCallum Road Abbotsford, BC * This is not an MDABC support group. This is a faith-based support group for those with mood disorders. It includes prayer and a devotional, followed by discussion. | Please Drop In Contact: Yolanda Schella 604.864.8068 yolandaschella619@gmail.com Brenda 604.302.7726 |
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| VANCOUVER ISLAND/COASTAL REGION: | ||||
| Campbell River Support Groups | ||||
| North Island Mood Disorders | Every Monday 7:00 – 9:00pm | BC Schizophrenia Society 850 E. 12 Ave Campbell River, BC | Please Drop In Contact: 778.348.0588 nimooddisorders.com |
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| Cowichan Valley - Duncan Support Groups | ||||
| Adult Support Group | Every Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00pm | Cowichan Mental Health & Addictions 3088 Gibbins Road, Duncan, BC * This is not an official MDABC group. This group is an initiative by Cowichan Mental Health and Addictions for people with mood disorders. | Please Drop In Contact: Debbie 250.715.0103 |
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| Nanaimo Support Groups | ||||
| Nanaimo Adult Support Group | Every Wednesday 7:00 – 8:30pm | Country Grocer In Community Room 1800 Dufferin Rd (off Bowen Rd) Nanaimo, BC | Please Drop In Contact: Alexis nanaimomoodmda@gmail.com |
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| Powell River Support Groups | ||||
| Powell River Adult Support Group | Powell River Support Group to go monthly over the summer. 7:00 – 8:30pm | Powell River Public Library #100 – 6975 Alberni St. Powell River, BC | Contact Jason 604.223.0076 |
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| COLUMBIA-SHUSWAP REGION: | ||||
| Salmon Arm Support Groups | ||||
| Salmon Arm Adult Support Group | GROUP ON HOLD 1st & 3rd Monday 12:00 – 1:30pm | Askew’s Food (Uptown) 2701 E 11th Ave NE Salmon Arm, BC | Please Drop In Contact: Nan 250.832.3733 ndickie@telus.net |
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| NORTH OKANAGAN REGION: | ||||
| Kelowna Support Groups | ||||
| Mood Disorder Support Group | 2nd & 4th Monday 10:00am – 1:00pm | Location: LIB 106B University Way Kelowna, B.C | Please Drop In - Registration is required Contact: together.notalone.bc@outlook.com |
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| Vernon Support Groups | ||||
| Vernon Adult Support Group | Every Friday 2:30 – 4:00pm | Canadian Mental Health Assoc. 3100 28th Avenue, Vernon, BC | Please Drop In Contact: Patricia 250.558.6900 |
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Support group documents
Click here to read 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.