Southampton area

[clickaway]

Following on from saintdee's post, I recently discovered from Depression Alliance that there was a group in Portsmouth but it has now closed.

I attend a depression group in my town and it is jointly run by a sufferer and a postgraduate who is not. If any of you are interested in starting a group for anxiety or depression, it can be done with the help of these people and there are regional groups of postgraduates willing to help out.

If you need more info, get back to me, then I can find out from my co-facilitator contact details.

[kazzie]

Hi Ray

I would love to start a self help group for anx and panic

Any tips??

Luv Kaz x x x

[Adrian]

I'm in Woolston and am interested in starting a group.

[kazzie]

Hi Adrian

Im just up the road from you in Sholing!!!!

I would be up for it!!!

Luv Kaz x x x

[Adrian]

Great! Hope more people will repond.

[bubblygirl]

Im in portsmouth x

[boogie-woogie]

im from portsmouth!!!

[mirry]

im a 2 mins walk from the portsmouth border .

But where would this group be held ? Southampton is quite a journey for me

[martyn56]

Hi, I also live near Southampton, well West Totton actually. I have been looking for some sort of support group for a while now. I would be happy join in a meet somewhere. Any ideas?

Martyn

[clickaway]

I don't live in the area, but do run a group in Woking. However, I did not have to go through the process of finding accommodation as that was already in place and the centre manager did a lot of the publicity for me.

Ideally, you should get the NHS on your side (they supply the building I use) and so maybe each of you could ask your NHS mental health contact if help could be forthcoming from their direction. I was really thinking of them finding a room with some comfy chairs and basic kitchen facilities, preferably open in the evenings. Failing that, maybe there is a church hall available that you could get funding for?

It is actually quite difficult to get people to come along because of how they feel. My group is advertised on a dedicated notice boards at several health centres yet the numbers are still low two years on. And this is where the NHS may be able to help too - by ensuring that you are able to promote the group at health centres (also hospitals, universities etc.). An A4 poster would be great, as well as a leaflet.

I think you need two people to run the group - it is too much for one. I run my group with a psychology postgraduate - so she can give a different aspect and is not vulnrable to anxiety.

Perhaps a way forward is for the NMP members who have responded here to have some informal meetings so you can get to know each other first.

There are many more anxiety people out there, but they mostly hide away!