Freedom Center Support Group meets Thursday nights, 7:00 - 9:00, at 43 Center Street, Northampton, Massachusetts. Please enter through the front door and walk up one flight of stairs to large room at very end of hallway or enter through outside stairway, on left side of building, walk through the conference room into the hallway and turn left to large room on the left. Our meeting space is wheel-chair accessible and fragrance-free. Please call 877-677-6424 for further information.

Freedom Center Support Group Pre(r)amble

Welcome to Freedom Center Support Group. We're a drop-in support group, which means we have "regulars" who come every week; some who come occasionally; some who choose to get more involved with Freedom Center and become voting members of our Collective. Support Group is here for everyone to use in the most helpful way: to get information about psych meds, including safe ways to reduce or get off them; to get support for what's going on personally; to get information about alternative resources not offered in the mainstream mental health system; to connect to a community with shared experience; to be in a safe place to talk about past or current trauma, including mistreatment or abuse by the traditional mental health system; to to share your story among people ready to listen to you: without judgment; without being told what to do or what is best for you; without being stereotyped as dangerous, sick, or helpless; and without fear of getting locked-up against your will or forced or coerced into treatment of any kind you don't find helpful. Your feelings, thoughts, opinions, and needs will be taken seriously and at face value here, not seen as symptoms of a disorder. Bring your story, a song, a poem, a drawing, a question, a problem, an achievement to share, or a silent presence.

All participants in Support Group meetings agree to: 1)share feelings and speak openly with respect and compassion for others present  2) listen with respect, empathy and compassion  3)not interrupt while people are speaking 4) offer feedback and ask questions only with permission   5) respect cultural and other diversity, including perspective, opinions, lifestyle, language and style of speaking, and individual approaches to recovery 6) not discuss past or current personal disputes between members 7) adhere to rules of confidentiality.  Expressions of extreme anger, sadness, fear or other strong emotions may be triggering for some in attendance. If anyone is triggered by someone's expression of strong emotions, we ask that you either ask for support time to deal with them after individuals have finished their support time or if necessary, feel free to leave the room temporarily, in order to allow space for others who may need to share strong feelings or use language you find personally offensive. If you need to speak with someone individually, please feel free to ask someone to accompany you outside of the group and if you are expressing strong feelings that make others feel unsafe, you may be asked to step outside of group, to discuss them with someone individually. When strong emotions come up, we will make every effort at Support Group to respect everyone's needs both for self-expression and for group comfort.