Are you struggling in addiction, caring for a loved one, living with a chronic disease or impairment, or just needing extra support? Bloomington-Normal has support groups that may help! The purpose is to bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. Support groups can be utilized by anyone who feels they are needing extra support, whether that means resources or simply someone to listen and validate what you're going through.
Support Groups In Bloomington-Normal
- Bloomington-Normal Partners In Recovery (for addicts)
- This website describes the Survivors of Suicide Group, the Celebration Recovery group, the Bloomington-Normal Depressive and Manic Depressive Support Group, the Emotions Anonymous group and the Family Basics Support Group. There is an OCD Support Group, but they meet in Morton.
-NAMI Connection
-1st & 3rd Saturday of month, 10 AM, Chestnut Health Systems, 1003 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Bloomington, IL
-Last Saturday of month, 1 PM, West Olive Faith United Methodist Church, 1306 West Olive Street, Bloomington, IL
- the CFS/FM Support Group (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia)
http://www.mcshealthenviron.org/SupportGroups.htm
- Gluten-free support group. For anyone that has a Facebook, you can log in to learn more.
- Stroke/ Brain Injury Support Group
-3rd Tuesdays of every month, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
-1015 S. Mercer Ave. Bloomington, IL 61701
Contact: [email protected]
Central Illinois Neurosciences Foundation
Caregiver and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support:
Support groups are available to previous and current caregivers of older adults and grandparents raising grandchildren/other relatives in the community. The purpose of the meetings is to share experiences, exchange ideas, and provide support to those who care for their loved ones. If you are interested in attending one of the following meetings, please contact Angie Raymer, Caregiver Advisor at (309) 661-6400 or [email protected] for more information.
-Caretaker’s Path Support Group
Hybrid:
In Person: OSF Medical Group – College Ave & Susan Drive Lower Level Conference Room
1701 E. College Ave, Blm, IL 61704
Meets the last Wednesday each month, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95116246535
Meeting ID: 951 1624 6535
One tap mobile: 13126266799
*Current and past caregivers of older adults are welcome to attend
-Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group:
Hybrid:
In-Person: Activity and Recreation Center (The ARC)
600 E Willow St, Normal, IL 61761
Meets the 1st Wednesday each month, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
*Current and past caregivers of older adults are welcome to attend
-GRG (Grandparents Raising Grandchildren) Support Group:
In Person: Miller Park Splash Pad
1020 S. Morris Ave Bloomington 61701
Meets every second Wednesday each month 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
*Grandchildren, Older adults currently raising grandchildren and/or Other relatives are welcome to attend
CCSI Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CCSICCU
CCSI Family Caregiver Support Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CCSICGA
CCSI GRG Support Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CCSIGRG
Get the emotional support you need. Find a support group near you, or virtually via Zoom.
https://www.communityresourcefinder.org/ProviderSearch/Search?ProfileDefinitionId=91&location=61704
Calvary United Methodist Church Caregiver Support Group
Calvary United Methodist Church Normal
1700 N Towanda Ave
Normal, IL 61761
2nd Tuesdays each month
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Register at Alz.org - "Find a Caregiver Support Group"
24/7 Helpline: (800) 272-3900
Luther Oaks Caregiver Support Group
Luther Oaks
601 Lutz Rd
Bloomington, IL 61704
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Register at Alz.org - "Find a Caregiver Support Group"
Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.
Finding a Support Group:
If you have a health problem, you can talk with your doctor about support groups in your area. If you have a disease that has an association, such as the American Cancer Society, you can contact them. Find out if there is a health magazine or newsletter relating to what you are going through and see if you can find information about support groups. You can also check with local hospitals. Some religious organizations are affiliated with support groups. Of course, you can always search the internet for support groups. Local newspapers may include meeting times and the location of a particular support group. If you know anyone with the same conditions are problems as you, discuss with them if they know of any support groups you could join. You can try looking in your yellow pages book or yellow pages online too.
It is important to find the type of support group that is the best for you. This will allow you to get the most out of the support group you are in.
For finding a support group using the Internet, you can check Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/ ). You can also just search for the particular support group you are wanting through Google. ( http://www.google.com/ ). There are so many support groups out there. You can also visit this website to look up support groups: http://www.supportgroups.com/
You can contact the Allied Counseling Resources in Bloomington at (309) 820-9700. They offer different some different types of support groups for addictions, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders and anger management in Bloomington. They also have different types of counseling including marriage counseling, domestic abuse counseling and family counseling. You can look at this website for their address and directions: http://bloomington.citysearch.com/profile/36154429/bloomington_il/allied_counseling_resources.html
Types of Support Groups:
Online Support Groups
As the name implies, online support groups are online. An online group would especially help someone who is home bound, not free to go to the meetings or in cases where there are no groups close. Online support groups can even be in the form of blogs.
Closed
Because you must preregister in order to go to this type of support group, it is private. This support group requires a commitment from the participants since they need to go to all the sessions. For groups such as AA, the individual must determine whether he or she meets the qualifications. In order to be in AA, one must want to quit drinking.
Group Therapy
There is a time limit in which a mental health professional or therapist teaches coping skills and other things too. You would share and solve your problems with the help of others. People at all different stages of recovery can join. Group therapy can be closed or open. The therapist can also see how an individual acts and reacts to the other members in the group.
Peer
This type of support group is not lead by a mental health professional, but rather lead by a fellow patient or trained supporter. The trained supporter has been through situations similar to those in the group. You share your problems and experiences with others. Mentoring, listening and mediation can be involved. An example of peer mediation is when a bully and victim are brought together by a peer. Peer groups can even take place in jobs, schools, and sports.
Educational
This type of group is more specific to what type of members it contains. Most members that receive educational therapy have some sort of mental disability. It can also be for anyone having underdeveloped learning skills in any area, cannot concentrate, has trouble remembering information, etc. The goal is to teach people the skills they need to overcome areas of weakness.
The Benefits of Support Groups:
Of course, you will get support out of any support group. You will get emotional support. Any guilt, stress, etc. will be lessened with the help of a support group. Some people are happy when they help other through a rough time.
Like the goal of education support groups, the group can share knowledge with each other. This may help those in the group better understand what he or she is exactly going through. They can also give educate others on how they coped. Knowledge about anything from medical treatments to laws to financial help can be shared through any support group but especially an educational support group.
It’s very important that if you are going to join a support group you find the right one for you. The way each type of support group is structured is different. It’s also important to know where the meetings are held for those that do not want to travel very far. Keep in mind that there is a chance that the people in a support group will be of all different ages. Other things to consider include: Are there fees and if so, do they fit into your budget? Are there any rules, and if so are you okay with them? Do you want to be in a support group ran by peers or ran by a health professional? Do you even like sharing your situations and struggles with others?
