Although the world is full of suffering... it is also full of overcoming it." -- Helen Keller

We have found that many of our families are not just parents of children with mental health issues but have their own issues (aka:  consumers). Whether it is genetic or the result of stress and on-going pressures of raising our children it is critical that families also have their own supports and resources. 

We have created this page to help you locate some local support groups, education classes and resources. We also have a listserv that is for consumers to discuss their own challenges, this is separate from the parent listserv.

If you know of a resource you would like to be considered or have any questions please call 1-866-213-4631 or email info@empowercolorado.com. EMPOWER Colorado does not endorse, approve, recommend or certify any information, product, medication, process, method or treatment, service or organization listed on this website.  In short our intent is to provide as many resources (traditional and alternative) to families without bias or judgment.

Local Support and Education Classes

Depression/Bipolar Recovery Group of Midtown Denver

For persons (adults) with depression or bipolar disorder and/or family members/friends of persons with depression or bipolar disorder. The presentations and speakers part is open to the general public. The support groups will be held in a confidential atmosphere.

For more information call the Mental Health Association of Colorado: 303.377.3040.

Meetings: Fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Messiah Lutheran Church, 1750 Colorado Blvd (across from the museum of nature and science - parking on east side of church). Sponsored by Mental Health Association of Colorado.

Facilitator Dr. Jane Mountain has written a book entitled Bipolar Disorder: Insights for Recovery, to see details on this book or to order go to www.beyondbipolar.com

Denver West Mental Health Peer Support Group
Date/Time: very Tuesday from 7:00 -- 9:00 PM
West Pines Psychiatric Hospital on the Lutheran Medical Center Campus
3400 Lutheran Parkway.

We offer support to any adult with a mental illness in a confidential, friendly, peer-supported environment.

Contact: Terry at 303-429-5950

Website: www.denverwestsupportgroup.org
Listserv in yahoogroups: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/denverwestsupportgroup/

Family to Family Education Classes

A multi-week mental illness education class led by family members following a curriculum developed by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

Meetings: The series is held once or twice a year in Jefferson County.

Contact Information: NAMI-Colorado at (303) 321-3104

NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Alliance for the Mentally Ill

Support, education, and advocacy organization serving families of persons with mental illness in Arapahoe/Douglas County and surrounding areas. Meetings: Two meetings are held every month from 7:00 - 9:00 PM -an education night meeting (second Wednesday of the month) and a support group meeting (fourth Wednesday of the month). Grace Presbyterian Church, 251 E. Sterne Blvd.

Contact Information: Lynette Loken 303-789-0357

Denver Alliance for the Mentally Ill

Support, education, and advocacy organization serving families of persons with mental illness in Denver County and surrounding areas.

Meetings: Second Wednesday of each month - MHCD building - 4141 E Dickenson (just north of intersection of Colorado Blvd. and Yale Ave., about a half mile west of I-25 and Yale)

Contact Information: Sandy Kuark, sandykuark@yahoo.com

Jefferson Alliance for the Mentally Ill (JAMI)

JAMI is a support, education, and advocacy organization serving families of persons with mental illness in Jefferson County and surrounding areas. JAMI is affiliated with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and NAMI-Colorado.

Meetings: Two meetings are held every month-a support group meeting (third Wednesday of the month) and an education night meeting (first Wednesday of the month). Meetings are held at the Lakewood Christian Church at Kipling and 20th.

Contact Information: Lois Dupuis at (303) 465-4079

Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA)

SA is a six-step, self-help, peer support group for people with schizophrenia. The group is entirely consumer run.

Meetings: Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. (Eventually to be moved to Summit Center) at the Jefferson Center Cedar Building at 9809 W. Cedar in Lakewood.

Contact Information: (303) 432-5400 and ask to speak to one of the SA group leaders.

Lakewood Family Support Group

This is a community peer support group, for family members of adults with mental illness. Click here for more information.

Meetings: Jefferson Center Cedar building (9808 W. Cedar in Lakewood) on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Contact Information: (303) 331-2599 or send an email to consumerrep@jcmh.org.

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Lakewood Support Group for People with Depression and Manic Depression

Peer support group

Meetings: Tuesday nights at Fort Logan Mental Health Institute in the main building, room B108 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Contact Information: Joe at (303) 738-8849

Social Phobics Anonymous (also called S.P.A.) is a network of free support groups for people who suffer from Social Phobia and/or other forms of social anxiety. We use a 12 step recovery approach, adapted from A.A. and O.C.A. to recover from our Social Anxiety Problems. We also use the principles for healing fear developed by Rhonda Britton in her book "Fearless Living".

Contact Information: (303) 575-1134, http://www.geocities.com/seanphilib/ColoradoSPA.html

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Jefferson Center consumers started this AA group to meet the specific needs of persons with co-occurring disorders.

Meetings: Summit Center (3810 Pierce in Wheat Ridge) every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Contact Information: (303) 432-5800

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Double Trouble in Recovery

Meetings: Open meeting at the CHARG Drop-in Center (920 Emerson Street in Denver) Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Contact Information: Caroline Burton at the CHARG Drop-in Center (303) 830-2130

North Star Depressive & Bi-Polar Alliance Support Group

Peer support and education group which is a local chapter of the National Depressive Manic Depressive Association. Consumers and family members meet concurrently.

Meetings: Monday at Crossroads Baptist Church in Northglenn at 7:00 p.m.

Contact Information: (303) 584-1957

Denver Area Central Committee of Alcoholics Anonymous - AA Meetings in metro area