Groups

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!

You’re Not Alone is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous hosted at the SupportMe Peer Center. We are open to people struggling with any form of addiction and, in keeping with A.A. tradition, do not endorse any outside organization. Our only wish is to ensure that those suffering from substance abuse find sobriety in the fellowship of A.A. Our primary focus is on beginners and individual meetings may focus on speakers, step-work, or A.A. literature.

Our general support group is a place where individuals can come together to build community and connection by sharing our unique experiences with mental health, substance use challenges, or even just daily struggles. Wherever you are in your journey, you’re welcome here. Drop-ins encouraged!

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. Hybrid group, scan the QR code to join remotely:

Creativity is one of the best tools for recovery; in this group, we’ll work together on expressing ourselves and honing that very tool. Participants will play theater games and try vocal/movement warmups, play with scene work and monologues, and move towards showcasing and writing their own work. Open to participants of any mobility and experience level, just bring your desire to express yourself!

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.

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!

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.

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. Hybrid group, 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.

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.

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.