Families suffering from behavioral health crises, chronic mental illness and substance use disorders can benefit from peer family support and education. The NJ Self Help Clearinghouse can connect you with opportunities for family members to join self-help groups, receive education and training about these disorders as well as gain the support and experience from those with the same life experience. For additional information contact Carolyn Davis at 609-652-3800 ext. 304 or send an email to: cdavis@mhanj.org. Family Support Groups: Al-Anon Al-Anon is a “worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic READ MORE

Has your group ever experienced a “pity party?” While this can happen occasionally to many groups, if it occurs on a regular basis, it’s time to “accentuate the positive” and make the group a more positive and uplifting experience for all who attend. Below are some suggestions on how group facilitators and members can turn the meeting around to focus the group more on hope and recovery than on misery. Ground Rules – Put a sentence in your ground rules or mission statement stating that an important purpose of your group is to help members recognize and share their strengths, READ MORE