The Mood Disorders Support Group of New York City

The Mood Disorders Support Group (MDSG) is a non profit, self-help organization serving both individuals with depression and manic-depression (bipolar disorder), as well as their families and friends. We help people to accept and manage their illness and improve the quality of their life. We are an independent affiliate of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

An overview of our services		Support MDSG
Every week, MDSG holds support group meetings in New York City. We sponsor monthly lectures by experts in mood disorders. MDSG publishes a hardcopy newsletter four times a year. We summarize recent news stories about depression. Membership and Contributions. Internet links related to depression and support groups. The various ways to contact us.		Purchase anything at Amazon.com after clicking here and they will pay MDSG a commission. This costs you nothing.
All information in this website is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for a specific medical condition

Next Lecture

It Takes a Family: Harnessing the Benefits
of FamilyInvolvement in Treatment of
Bipolar Disorder

The MDSG Lecture Series presents

Igor Galynker, M.D.
Associate Chair for Psychiatry; The Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel Medical Center

Tuesday March 2, 2010 7:30PM More...

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Our Brochure

MDSG publishes a brochure describing the group, appropriate for any health care provider to give to someone who might benefit from our support group. For copies email info@mdsg.org

MDSG's support groups are the main reason for our existence. They provide opportunities for participants to share personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings in small, confidential gatherings. Also known as discussion meetings or rap sessions, they provide a friendly, safe place for the exchange of experiences and information.

A typical group will meet for about an hour and a half, but there is no strict schedule and you are free to leave at any time. Reservations are not required, just show up. We have support groups for people with the disorder, family and friends of those with the disorder and people under 30. Meetings are held at two locations in Manhattan (see below).

Support groups are lead by trained facilitators. We try to limit each group to a maximum of 12 people. Separate groups are available for:

Newcomers -- The first time someone comes to an MDSG support group meeting, they should attend the newcomers group. This is just a one time thing.
Unipolar -- to discuss depression
Bipolar -- to discuss both depression and mania
Family and Friends -- for people closely connected to someone suffering from depression or manic-depression (see below for more)
20-something Group -- for those under 30, including teens, also for those with both unipolar depression and bipolar disorder

If you have never attended one of our support group meetings, there was an article in our May 2000 newsletter describing the initial experiences of a new member, first with the newcomers group, then with the 20-something (formerly "youth") group. Our April 2004 newsletter had an article on getting the most out of a group. The August 2005 newsletter had an article with Support Group Advice From The Folks in the Know.

Anyone can attend an MDSG support group meeting. There is no need to be screened, approved or to make a reservation. For non-members, there is a suggested $5.00 contribution. MDSG members can attend at no charge as a benefit of membership.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THOSE WITH MOOD DISORDERS NEED SUPPORT TOO!

When one person has a mood disorder, the whole family can suffer. Loved ones can benefit greatly from a self-help support group setting that’s designed just for them. In our confidential groups for Family and Friends, we:

Discover how to provide the most effective support for the sufferer throughout the recovery process
Learn the critical difference between enabling and empowering the person with the illness
Find ways to develop healthy and respectful boundaries between ourselves and the family member with the mood disorder
Help each other recognize the importance of tending to and promoting our own self-care

The Family and Friends groups provide a setting in which we can feel completely safe to vent and express frustration, fear, anger, guilt and even resentment – all emotions that are natural and common amongst families in this situation. There is great camaraderie and a sense of belonging that comes from the realization that we are not alone and in fact, have so much in common. Please drop in any Wednesday or Friday night and check out this group that has been designed especially for you!

Manhattan - East Side Group

MDSG's East Side groups meet every Friday at the Bernstein Pavilion of Beth Israel Medical Center. All five groups meet: Family and Friends, Newcomers, Unipolar, Bipolar and the 20-something group. To keep group sizes small, there are multiple bipolar and unipolar groups running concurrently. In addition, there is also a Topic Group every Friday with the topic chosen by the facilitator. Doors open at 7:00 PM and all groups begin at 7:30 PM.

The Bernstein Pavilion is between 15th and 16th streets and between First and Second Avenues. However, the main entrance is on a small side street called Nathan Perlman Place. To get there walk west on the south side 16th street from First Avenue. When 16th street runs into Stuyvesant Square park, you are on Nathan Perlman Place. Make a left, the entrance is between 16th Street and 15th Street. It is the only building on the block. See a Google map of the area. Additional directions are available.

Everyone should check-in on the second floor. Groups meet on either the second floor or the ground floor. There will be signs in the lobby directing you within the building.

Manhattan - West Side Group

MDSG's West Side group meets every Wednesday. All five groups meet: Family and Friends, Newcomers, Unipolar, Bipolar and the 20-something group. The West Side support groups meet at 7:00 PM and groups begin at 7:30 PM.

The Wednesday night groups meet at 411 West 114th Street (6th floor) between Amsterdam and Morningside Drive

The closest subway is the #1 train, the 116th Street stop is on Broadway, one block from Amsterdam Avenue. Also close are the B and the C trains which stop at 110th Street and Central Park West/Eighth Avenue. Three buses run on Broadway, the #104, #4 and #60. The #11 bus runs on Amsterdam Avenue and the #5 bus runs on Riverside Drive. See a Google map of the area. Additional directions are available.

Note: Up until September 2008 the Wednesday night groups met at the St. Luke's/Roosevelt Adult Outpatient Clinic at 910 Ninth Avenue and 59th streets. The clinic itself was re-located to 114th street and MDSG followed them to the new location. The first meeting at the new location was October 15, 2008.

The Mood Disorders Support Group depends on membership fees and contributions for its operating expenses. Both memberships and contributions are tax-deductible.

A one year individual membership is $45, a one year family membership is $65 which applies to an unlimited number of family members. Membership entitles you to attend all the discussion group meetings and all the lectures for free. The only exception is the one fund-raising lecture a year for which everyone must pay, but MDSG members pay less.

You can sign up to become a member either in person or by mail. Someone is available to sign up new members at all discussion meetings and lectures. To sign up by mail, send a check and a note (no official form needed) to our Post Office Box (see above) and we will mail you a membership card. Please print your name and address clearly.

THE MOOD DISORDER SUPPORT GROUP OF NEW YORK IS ABLE TO CARRY OUT ITS IMPORTANT WORK THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS AND FOUNDATIONS. WE WANT IN PARTICULAR TO THANK JAY HERMAN WHOSE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION THIS YEAR WILL ALLOW US TO BROADEN THE POOL OF SPEAKERS WE CAN INVITE TO THE LECTURE SERIES AS WELL AS PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THE DEDICATED FACILITATORS WHO RUN OUR GROUPS.

Contributions can be mailed to us at the address below (checks payable to MDSG Inc.). In celebration of the 25th anniversary of MDSG, the board of directors is offering a special matching pledge. For every three dollars you donate (up to $25,000 total), the board will give another dollar. Please make checks payable to MDSG, Inc. and send them to: MDSG, Inc., PO Box 30377, New York, NY 10011. More. . . .

You can also contribute just by shopping at Amazon.com. Purchase anything at Amazon after clicking on the image at the right and MDSG will receive a commission. This costs you nothing.

Our parent organization, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has local chapter listings that can help you locate support groups around the country.

See our mood disorder related links.

One web site that we endorse is Depression Central, run by Dr. Ivan Goldberg M.D., MDSG's Medical Advisor.

A guestbook lets you make public comments. Our guestbook is for comments on either this web site, MDSG or depression in general. You can view the guestbook (read other peoples comments) or learn more about the guestbook and make your own comments.