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.

DBSA Middlesex ofrece un grupo de apoyo en español.  Para más información, por favor, consulte nuestro panfleto.

Middlesex County Meetings
NOTICE: In-person support group meetings are suspended. We are hosting virtual meetings for the duration of the coronavirus emergency as follows.  

Monday @ 7 PM: Traditional support meeting allowing breakout rooms to accommodate all topics.

Thursday @ 7 PM: Coping with the Pandemic—stay in one room & focus on top issues dealing with the pandemic.

Saturday @  7 PM: Social Saturday—not a support meeting, just hanging out at our virtual diner.

Please contact Cameron for information on how to participate at 908-672-9250 or via email at camerons1006@gmail.com.  (Posted April 5, 2020)

Monday Group Meeting
When: Every Monday from 7:30 PM to 9:15 PM.
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
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 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Where: Robert Wood Johnson Hospital (Auditorium of Main Hospital), One Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
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.