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Support Groups Mental Health America of Franklin County (MHAFC) sponsors three kinds of support groups in Franklin County. When you are having a problem, it always helps to talk with others who understand what you are going through. Support groups provide valuable assistance to people with mental illnesses and their family members, whether they need occasional or ongoing help.
Over 70% of the people attending our support groups had a reduction in their anxiety levels and an increase in their coping skills.
View the Support Groups Brochure.
MHAFC sponsors three types of support groups: For information on other support groups in the community, search our online Directory of Mental Health and Recovery Services.
FIT meeting scheduleFamilies In Touch has been helping families and friends of adults with mental illness since 1978. In a confidential group setting, participants are encouraged to share their experiences and learn about local mental health and recovery resources.
The groups are facilitated by mental health professionals who are experienced in dealing with the specific concerns of family members. Meetings are held at various locations throughout Franklin County.
In addition to coordinating meeting places, MHAFC serves as a resource to families and friends and provides current information about different mental illnesses and treatments that are available in the community.
Supporting Each Other
Families In Touch participants include friends, parents, spouses, adult children or adult siblings of older teens and adults who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. These illnesses include major depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depression), schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc. Sharing a common problem allows friends and families to support each other and offer encouragement to one another during difficult periods. Helping Ourselves
There are many benefits to becoming involved with Families In Touch. Participants can: - Speak openly about mental illness with others who have been affected.
- Listen to what steps have worked for others.
- Learn more about mental health services in the community.
- Improve communication skills and become more effective with mental health professionals.
- Become effective advocates for improved mental health care.
Sharing Helps
Whether you have lived for many years with the problems associated with a friend or loved one's mental illness, or are just beginning to learn how to cope, Families In Touch is here to help.
Families in Touch Meeting Times and Locations: - East Side Meetings, co-sponsored by Jewish Family Services, held at Jewish Family Services, 1070 College Avenue; The group meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. For further information, call Danielle Ruben, at
614-559-0110. Meeting dates: Call Danielle for information.
- West Side Meetings, co-sponsored by Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Community Support Network, 2200 West Broad Street; The
group meets on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 5:30-7:00pm. For
further information call Janet Mueller, at 614-752-0333 x 5178. Meeting
dates: Call Janet for information.
- Westerville (NE) Meetings held at Concord Counseling Service, 700 Brooksedge Blvd.; 2nd and 4th Thursdays; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. For information, call Jennifer Sheets, 614-882-9338, ext. 235. Meeting dates: call Jennifer for information.
- Worthington Meetings, Worthington Meetings, co-sponsored by Dublin Counseling, held at Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 N. High St., Room 300; 2nd and 4th Mondays; 5:30-7:00pm; for further information, call Lea Wolfe, 614-889-5722 x 303. Meeting dates: Call Lea for information.
- West Side Meetings, co-sponsored by Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Community Support Network, 2200 West Broad Street; The group meets on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 5:30-7:00pm. For further information call Janet Mueller, at 614-752-0333 x 5178. Meeting dates: Call Janet for information.
- North Side Meetings, co-sponsored by North Central Mental Health Services, for family members and friends of teens/young adults with mental illness, held at North Central Mental Health Services, 1301 North High Street. The group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday, 6-7:30 pm. For further information call Don Schmidt, 614-299-6600, ext. 2129. Meeting dates: Call Don for information.
These self-help groups provide valuable support and education. Approximately 8 to 10 people, from new people to long-term members, meet in an accepting and supportive environment. The groups follow a format that allows everyone who wants to speak a chance to do so. Literature on depression is available at each meeting.
1. Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 4131 N. High Street; the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, from 7 to 8:30 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: Because of holidays in January and February, the Overbrook Group will meet Monday, January 23 and Monday, February 6 at the regular time. NO meetings on January 2 and 16 or February 20. - Group meeting dates: Call Karen Berry at MHAFC at 614-221-1441 for more information.
2. North Central Mental Health Services, 1301 North High Street, 43201; 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, from 7 to 8:30 pm.
- Group meeting dates: Call Mary Brennen-Hoffman at 614-299-6600 x 2073 for more information.
SA meeting scheduleThis confidential, self-help support group is peer-led. A mental health professional attends the meetings and serves as advisor. The groups provide positive, mutual support and fellowship to persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or a related disorder. The purpose of the group is to provide ongoing support and help to those affected by this disorder.
Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA), a program begun in the fall of 1991, is co-sponsored by Mental Health America of Franklin County, Columbus Area, Inc. at Pathway Clubhouse, Southeast, Inc., and Concord Counseling.
Each group averages approximately 6 to 12 members at each weekly meeting. Only persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder are invited to participate in these groups.
SA Meeting Times and Locations:
- North - Worthington - Co-sponsored by Dublin Counseling Center
Meets every Monday, 5:30-6:30pm, at the Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 N. High St., Room 317. For information call Karen Berry at 221-1441.
- East - Co-sponsored by Columbus Area, Inc./Pathway Clubhouse
Meets every Wednesday, 2:30-3:30pm, at Pathway Clubhouse, 1203 E. Broad St. For information call Mike Stalego and/or Steve Willey at 251-7820.
- Northeast - Westerville - Co-sponsored by Concord Counseling
Meets every Wednesday, 5:00-6:00 pm, at Concord Counseling, 700 Brooksedge Blvd. For further information, call Mary Kay Ansley at 882-9338, ext. 233.
Call Mental Health America of Franklin County at 614-221-1441 for more information on these groups. PLEASE NOTE: Meeting schedules are subject to change. Please call individual groups to confirm.
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