Welcome to DBSA Middlesex County

We are a mood-disorder self-help support group affiliated with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). The mission of DBSA is to improve the lives of people living with a mood disorder, and their loved ones.

People who are living with depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression), and their families and friends, are welcome. Our goal is to help our support group participants towards wellness.

Middlesex County Meetings
We are currently offering the following mix of in-person and virtual meetings.
Note that all in-person meetings now require an RSVP (no walk-ins are allowed) to conform to capacity limits during the pandemic.

Monday @ 7:30 PM (doors open 7:00 PM for meet & greet): In-Person meeting in Metuchen – You must RSVP and wear a mask

Wednesday @ 7:00 PM: Virtual Support meeting via Zoom

Friday @ 7:00 PM (doors open 6:30 PM for meet & greet): In-Person meeting in New Brunswick – You must RSVP and wear a mask

Please contact Cameron for information on how to participate at 908-672-9250 or via email at camerons1006@gmail.com.
(October 15, 2021)

Monday Group Meeting
When: Every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen (Nursery School, 1st floor), 270 Woodbridge Avenue, Metuchen NJ (parking and entrance is in the back of the church).
Helpful Information: Directions | Support Groups Map
For additional information, contact Ann at 609-235-5579 before 10 PM or via email at scifianne@optimum.net.

Thursday Group Meeting (SUSPENDED due to Covid)
When: Every Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Where: RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, Old Bridge Gateway Shopping Center, 1044 US 9 South, Parlin, NJ 08859 (parking on back side of shopping center; meeting is in the community room).
Helpful Information: Directions | Support Groups Map
For additional information, contact Michael at 732-991-6859 after 5 PM or via e-mail at njgent3@gmail.com.

Friday Group Meeting
When: Every Friday frim 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Where: RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 100 Kirkpatrick Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Parking: Free Parking in garage at 97 Paterson Street (same building as the fitness center)
Helpful Information: Directions | Support Groups Map
For additional information, contact Rina at 732 425-0467

Our groups and meetings are:

  • led by trained facilitators who are peers, that is, individuals with a mood disorder.
  • open to family and friends with or without the person living with a disorder.
  • an empowering experience that is free of charge with no pre-registration required.
  • NOT a therapy group ; we do NOT give professional advice, but we DO share mutual experiences to educate and support each other.

There is hope. People living with a mood disorder can be helped by medication and/or therapy. Many people so affected lead normal lives, and participate in our support group to help others. Support groups help during recovery. “You are not alone, we can help.”

About Depression & Mania

Common possible symptoms of depression include:

  • Decreased or increased sleeping
  • Loss of energy and motivation
  • Exaggerated feelings of guilt
  • Unexplained aches and pains or ailments
  • Inappropriate or exaggerated feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, impending disaster or doom

Common possible symptoms of mania include:

  • Impaired judgment
  • High energy level and increased activity/talking
  • Significant decrease in sleeping
  • Inflated self esteem (grandiosity)
  • Extreme irritability and/or restlessness

Other symptoms are possible. No one symptom determines the disorder. A psychiatrist or psycho pharmacologist should be consulted for an evaluation.