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UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute

Support Groups

What are Support Groups?

Support groups are an informal resource that strive to provide assistance for a variety of problems and challenges.   A unique aspect of support groups is the mutual support members are able to provide one another.  Support groups provide additional resources that can be invaluable.

Important to Remember

Although many of the support groups meet monthly, they may be cancelled for an unforeseen reason.  If you plan on attending a support group, it is important to contact the group to make sure the meeting is still taking place.

The support groups listed below are independent of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute. They are provided for information only and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute.

AD/HD 

Autism 

Bipolar 

Epilepsy 

Fragile X 

Learning Disabilities

Mental Health

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 

Parent Resource Centers 

Tourette's Syndrome

AD/HD

Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month, September through May, except December. Time: 7:00 p.m. Sutter Center for Psychiatry,7700 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, CA (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.) Presentations are followed by several discussion and support groups, based on the interests of the audience.  Learn more about CHADD. 

Autism

  • FEAT Elk Grove Parent Resource Group
    • When:  Third Sunday of each month
    • Time:  4:00pm - 6:30pm
    • Where:  Holiday Inn Express, Lodi Room, 9175 W. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, Calif. (916) 683-5652

Local resource group that assists parents who have children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Their primary focus is children with Autism, but assist anyone who has children with disabilities.  Learn more about FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment). 

  • FEAT Family Resource Meeting
    • When:  Third Wednesday of each month
    • Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm
    • Where:  UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, Calif.

Meetings are open to everyone with an interest in individuals on the autism spectrum including PDD-NOS and Asperger Syndrome. Meetings are designed to provide information to families in addition to a network of support where families can meet each other and discuss issues surrounding autism, advocacy and treatment options.  Learn more about FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment).  

Three groups meet at the same time and location in separate rooms/areas:  Parents & Caregivers, ASD Adult Support Group, 18 and older, and ASD Coaching Group, 16 and older.  Childcare is not available at the meetings.

  • UC Davis Autism Awareness Association
    • Meeting intended for UC Davis students
    • Contact Jay Lytton for more information (818) 458-9759 or jslytton@ucdavis.edu  
    • Meeting agendas will be posted when they become available

Find out how you can get involved in the club!  Come join us and bring in your ideas, learn about different officer and committee positions, and get to know your fellow club members! 

  • The Fathers Circle
    • When:  4th Thursday of each month
    • Time:  6:30pm - 8:30pm
    • Where:  Trinity Lutheran Church, Fellowship Wing Room, 1225 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, Calif.

Our mission is to celebrate and support men raising children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities. The Fathers Circle provides a forum for men to share current information, resources and their experiences, with one another.  

Bipolar

People dealing with their own or a family member's depression, bipolar and other mood disorders. Donations are welcome, but meetings are free.  Learn more about DBSA.

  • Bipolar Disorder Support - Woodland 
    • When:  Every Monday beginning  September 13, 2009
    • Time:  7:30pm - 8:00pm
    • Where:  Destiny Hall, 124 Lincoln Ave in Woodland, Calif.

Contact:  Gray Chavannes at (530) 661-7184 for details

  • Bipolar Disorder Support - Davis
    • When:  2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month 
    • Time:  Phone for time
    • Where:  Phone for location

Contact:   Facilitator: Tensi (Hortencia) Torres: (530) 758-7076

Epilepsy

The Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California provides free monthly support group meetings at various locations throughout the region we serve. People affected by epilepsy as well as their friends and family are encouraged to join us for education, discussion and support in a friendly and comfortable environment. Call Erika Wasser at 916-454-6851 with questions.  Learn more about the Epilepsy Foundation.

Fragile X

Fragile X parent resource groups are groups of parents in a local area who organize support meetings, social gatherings, educational and/or fundraising events. Leaders of resource groups also agree to be parent contacts.  Learn more about The National Fragile X Foundation.

Learning Disabilities

LDA has state and/or local affiliates in every state. Membership in LDA includes membership in your state and local affiliate, giving you access to an array of services and supports. State and local affiliates offer a variety of services that can make a difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their families. State and local activities may include: support groups, regular informational meetings, resource libraries, advocacy assistance, newsletters, annual conferences and opportunities to network with other parents, teachers, professionals and adults.  Learn more about LDA.

Mental Health

  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Sacramento
    • When:  Every Sunday evening
    • Time:  7:00-8:30 p.m. 
    • Where:  Sutter Center for Psychiatry, 7700 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, Calif.

People coping with their own mental illness Connection Recovery Support Group, regardless of the diagnosis.  For more information, please contact NAMI at (916) 364-1642.

  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Sacramento
    • When:  2nd Thursday of each month
    • Time:  6:30pm - 8:30pm
    • Where:  Natomas Service Center, 3291 Truxel Road #26 (Truxel and San Juan), Sacramento Calif. 

People coping with a family member's (Family Support Group) mental illness.  Please contact Pat Pavone, Facilitator at (916) 397-7831 for more information regarding this meeting.

  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Sacramento
    • When:  4th Wednesday of each month
    • Time:  7:00pm - 8:30pm
    • Where:  Kaiser Permanente Clinic, 9201 Big Horn Blvd., Elk Grove, Calif. 

People coping with a family member's (Family Support Group) mental illness.  For more information, please contact NAMI at (916) 364-1642.  

Mental Health Services offers mental health care, referrals, and support services to mentally ill children, adolescents, and adults in Sacramento County.

Parent Resource Centers

Local chapter of Learning Disabilities Association of California. A volunteer organization for individuals with learning disabilities, their families and professionals. Dedicated to enhance the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families, alleviate the restricting effects of learning disabilities and support endeavors to determine the causes of learning disabilities. Seeks accomplishments through advocacy, education, research, service, and collaborative efforts. National, state, and local newsletters.

Most groups meet at a regular time each month. Some provide lectures by a variety of professionals on different topics of interest while others primarily provide a social opportunity for parents/caregivers to talk together. Some groups provide a combination of these things. You are welcome to attend any support group meeting or lecture that is of interest and relevance to you. PHP staff also has information on non-PHP support groups in the community.  Learn more about PHP.

Since 1982, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities has offered information, education, and parent-to-parent support free of charge to families of children with any kind of disability or special health care need in San Francisco.  Learn more about Support for Families.

Warmline Family Resource Center's mission is to provide information, education, and support to promote and strengthen the foundation of families and children with special needs to face the challenges of the present and create new dreams for the future.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD Kids Sacramento is a free support group for kids 18 and under and their families living in and around Sacramento. The goal of this support group is to instill hope among those battling OCD and to provide support to one another by sharing  experiences of the past and present. The group is assisted by Susan Haverty, a therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD.

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Support Group  
    • When:  Every Monday
    • Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm 
    • Where:  Sutter Center for Psychiatry, 7700 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, Calif.

This group is for individuals coping with their own or a family member's obsessive-compulsive illness. Contact Jim at (916) 223-6541 or Steve at (916) 456-8239 for more information.  

  • OCD Self-Help Group
    • Phone:  Dan:  (916) 427-3935 or Rachele (916) 966-5917

Peer support for persons with Obsessive Compulsive-Disorder and family members. Members share information about treatment and network to help others with pertinent information. Facilitated by group member. Open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Tourette's Syndrome

  • Sacramento Tourette's Syndrome Support Group
    • Kathy:  (916) 482-5574 or Susan:  (916) 338-0863

Resource materials and support group for Tourette Syndrome families. Also provides information on obsessive-compulsive disorder ADD. No fee.  Adults and parents of children with Tourette Syndrome and professionals.  Learn more about the National Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA).
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