Groups

Queer Support is a support group for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, queer, intersex, asexual, two spirit, questioning, curious, and considering-the-possibilities people who are seeking community and the chance to talk and share space with others. Participants don’t need to be out of the closet, have an established identity, or a diagnosed mental health/substance use issue to attend: just the desire to hold space together with other QT folks who share our common struggle to be ourselves in this society. Email our team at peercenter@sweetser.org for more information and a link.

Finding Your Path is a substance abuse recovery group designed for beginners and focused on finding your way through the pitfalls of early recovery. Rather than adhering to any one form of recovery philosophy, the group will consider different approaches and talk about the best methods for building a new foundation. Open to all, please contact peercenter@sweetser.org for more information.

The creativity workshop will offer opportunities for people to create and relax! Painting, drawing, crocheting, and crafts, each week we’ll meet to work on new projects. Please contact peercenter@sweetser.org for more information.

Maine Can Work is a series of peer support workshops designed to assist people with a behavioral health diagnosis to find employment that works for them. Whether you are unemployed and hoping to find work, currently working but hoping to find another job that suits you better, or concerned with how working will affect your disability benefits (or prevent you from being awarded them), we can help to connect you with the right resources and some solid answers!

Whether you’re new to journaling or you’ve been doing it all your life, you’re welcome here. Join us as we use guided prompts and creativity to explore ourselves. We’ll learn how to use different items and techniques to express ourselves with more than just words. This fun and unique weekly workshop helps participants use the central ideas of peer support to examine themselves and the world around them.

SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery is an evidence-based recovery method that supports people who want to change to build and maintain motivation, cope with cravings and urges, manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and live a balanced life. Rather than labeling people as addicts or alcoholics, SMART aims to address addictive behaviors through a harm reduction approach.

Parenting is difficult, and in a world that expects more than ever of us, the pressure can quickly become too much. That’s why we’ve created an anonymous, non-judgmental space to connect with others who share our struggles. Our group is open to parents or anyone who has taken on a parental role. We meet weekly to share the joys, struggles, and challenges we face while parenting our minor children.

Although at least 1 in 10 people hear voices, experience intrusive thoughts, see visions, feel tactile sensations, or have other unusual experiences, many choose not to talk about them. A Hearing Voices group is a place where people can meet to talk about their experiences without fear of judgment. It offers mutual support and friendship and the opportunity to explore your experiences and learn from others with similar stories. Email our team at peercenter@sweetser.org for more information and a link.

Every day, we interact with different systems of care. Doctor’s offices, hospitals, paperwork, medication, and more. Dealing with these systems is often difficult and life-changing. This is a group for people with lived experience to discuss their experiences with different systems of care (Medical, Psychiatric, Dental, Holistic medicine, etc.), and get support from others with similar lived experience, without fear it will be reported back to the system that hurt them. Email our team at peercenter@sweetser.org for more information and a link.

This is an open general support group run by CCBHC peer support specialists John Hirth and Steve Hounchell. Please contact John for additional information at jhirth@sweetser.org

The Community Meeting is a time for the community to come together to help shape the center’s future. Every Wednesday, we meet over coffee, talk about the center’s current programming, and what everyone would like to see going forward! This is your opportunity to introduce group ideas, outreach, or just enjoy some company and community. Everyone is welcome, drop-ins heavily encouraged!

Many of us are very close to our pets, and the unconditional love and companionship they offer us can be a major emotional support. But few resources exist for the grieving pet owner, and it has been traditionally difficult to voice the real and profound grief pet owners experience when they lose their furred friends. The Pet Grief group is a safe space for people to open up and process their grief among peers who understand how painful an experience it can be. Email our team at peercenter@sweetser.org for more information and a link.

Welcome to “alt 2 su”! In this group space people are welcome to talk about anything, including wanting to die. NO ONE will call police, crisis, or other involuntary interventions, nor do we offer any advice or assessment of experiences unless a person specifically asks. Participants are encouraged to use “I” statements and make meaning of their own experiences. Using this approach, people can explore the context of their experiences around suicide, their reasons for wanting to die, and work to change their relationship to their thoughts, feelings, and circumstances. Email our team at peercenter@sweetser.org for more information and a link.

In some relationships, we’re asked to give up parts of ourselves and our past, surrendering our identity, family, and self-love in a bid to keep that relationship. This group is for anyone healing from controlling relationships and groups, including family, romantic, social, religious, and more. No matter how long ago you left, you don’t have to be alone. This is a place to talk about the confusing, painful, and often isolating emotions that come after leaving, and to learn to take back your voice.

Vibe, relax, and chill with us as we decompress from the heavy together. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page and Group Page to see what offerings we’ll have available each week!

Group chaired by group participants on a rotating basis

Without a Prayer is an open, non-religious meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous hosted at the SupportMe Peer Center. In keeping with A.A. tradition, we do not endorse or oppose any form of religion or atheism. Our only wish is to ensure that those suffering from substance abuse find sobriety in A.A. without having to accept anyone else’s beliefs or having to deny their own. All (including those with religious beliefs) are welcome. To join online, please visit https://meet.google.com/grp-jswp-kwf

Fridays are fun days at SupportME! Join us at any time of the open hours of the day to play games (board games, video games, RPGs, etc.) and watch movies together: come on in, try out a new game or bring in an old favorite, see what we’ve got queued up to watch or suggest a theme for the day, and join in the fun! Players of all experience levels are welcome.

Step away from the noise of the outside world and practice ways to quiet your mind in our Mindfulness group. In this non-clinical peer group, we’ll practice ways to show up fully for ourselves and others with an open mind, curiosity, and kindness. This is a free, zero judgment space, welcome to all.

Creativity is one of the best tools we can use in our recovery, and here is where we practice and grow that. You’ll get a chance to play different theater games, learn vocal exercises, practice and/or monologues, or work together with others on a scene. You can even learn to write your own! Open to participants 18 and over, all experience levels, mobility, and abilities. All you need is a willingness to try new things and a desire to express yourself.

Sometimes, secrets turn toxic, and when those secrets are about wanting to die, they become deadly. Alternatives to Suicide is a confidential, voluntary group where people can come to get support without fear of hospitalization, judgment, or reporting. Everyone attending and facilitating has lived experience and a history of their own past or current struggles. No real names are required. No one will know you attended unless you tell them.

We’re here when you need us.

Please contact peercenter@sweetser.org for more information, or check our Facebook Group for the link.

What do you do when your realities don’t match? When what you experience doesn’t fit with everyone else? Have you ever seen or sensed something not there, heard something no one else did, or had beliefs that others didn’t understand or see as rational? Unusual Experiences is a Hearing Voices Network-USA group for more than just voice hearers. We’re not here to tell you whether your experiences are wrong or right. We’re just here to be beside you and share our worlds together. All participants have lived experience, and so do the facilitators.

This is a voluntary group and open only to people with lived experience. No one can force or persuade you to attend.

Please contact peercenter@sweetser.org for more information, or check our Facebook Group for the link.

Maine Can Work is a 7 part guide to help people who have been out of work due to mental health, substance use, or significant life changes get back in the work force. Our trained facilitators are able to provide one-on-one assistance and work with people on identifying their own skills, where to improve, and how to get back on their feet.

Please contact peercenter@sweetser.org for more information.