Multiple groups help those seeking support

Addiction - TRUST, a prevention program, invites children ages 7 to 12 who are concerned about addiction in their family to join after-school activity groups that meet every Tuesday, from 4:30 pm. to 5:30 p.m., at Connecticut Clearinghouse, 334 Farmington Ave., Plainville Parents and guardians may call Sue Walbert at (860) 793-2164 to register. Free.

Alcoholics Anonymous - AA holds meetings Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Plainville United Methodist Church, 56 Red Stone Hill; Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Plainville, 130 W. Main St.; Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Church of Our Saviour, 115 W. Main St.; and Fridays at 8 p.m. at the Wheeler Clinic, 91 Northwest Drive, all in Plainville. Information: (800) 530-9511.

Al-Anon, Alateen - Does someone's drinking bother you? There is help for you, for anyone affected by someone else's drinking. Al-Anon meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Plainville United Methodist Church, 56 Redstone Road, and at 10 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Plainville, 130 W. Main St. Alateen, an Al-Anon group for those 12 to 20 years old, meets in New Britain every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at South Congregational-First Baptist Church, 90 Main St. Al-Anon is a nonprofit organization. Free. Information: visit www.ct-al-anon.org or call (888) 825-2666.

Alzheimer's disease - Bristol Hospital sponsors a free monthly support group for family members and those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Meetings are usually held on the first Monday of each month (except for holidays), from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Ingraham Manor, 400 N. Main St., Bristol. The next meetings will be Monday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Information: Karen Cornell at (860) 585-3269.

Alzheimer's disease - Mulberry Gardens of Southington, at 58 Mulberry St., Plantsville, offers a monthly support group for families and caregivers of people affected by Alzheimer's and related dementia. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. The Alzheimer's Support Group covers topics including communication techniques, caregiver support, wandering, religion, music, behavior, family dynamics, validation breakthrough, and more. Respite care is available for caregiver's loved ones. Information: Marie Terzak at (860) 276-1020.

Anxiety - Recovery Inc., a support group for people who experience anxiety, depression and fears, meets at the Congregational Church of Plainville, 130 W. Main St. (Route 372). Information: (860) 747-5682.

Bariatric - A support group for those who will have or had bariatric surgery meets at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain General, on the first Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. Information: (860) 224-5453.

Bereavement - Visiting Nurse Association of Central Connecticut conducts a bereavement support group series on Tuesdays, at VNACC's Hospice and Palliative Care office, 58 W. Main St., Plainville. Information: (860) 793-3011.

Breast cancer - Bristol Hospital offers a free monthly support group for breast cancer patients at Bristol Hospital, Brewster Road, Bristol. Information: Linda McEwen at (860) 585-3420. the next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Breastfeeding - The Moms Milk Group, a breastfeeding support group for nursing moms, meets every Wednesday, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General. Free. Information: (860) 224-5226.

Breastfeeding - The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital offers a breastfeeding support group that meets on the third Tuesday of every month, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Bristol Public Library, 5 High St., Bristol. Registration recommended. Information: InfoLink (860) 585-3661.

Breathing club - Bristol Hospital's Pulmonary Rehab Department will present two special topics at the next Better Breathing Club meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., in the Bristol Hospital Perioperative Center Conference Room, Brewster Road, Bristol. September's topics will include "How to Conserve Energy and Electricity with your Home O2 Equipment" presented by Promptcare of Bristol and "When Am I Eligible for Home Services?" presented by Bristol Hospital Home Care. For more information, call Bristol Hospital's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Department at (860) 585-3580 by Sept. 15.

Cancer - The Living With Cancer Family Support Group at New Britain General is open to patients at all stages and with all types of cancer, as well as any adult family members and caregivers. The support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The hospital also sponsors other cancer support groups, which are more limited in scope to patients or by the type of illness. Information: Marcia Anderson at (860) 224-5299.

Crohn's disease - Bristol Hospital holds a Crohn's Disease/Colitis Support Group that meets regularly at the hospital, Brewster Road in Bristol. The next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m., at in the Periop conference room at Bristol Hospital. Information: visit www.bristolhospital.org or call InfoLink at (860) 585-3661. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 7 to 9 p.m..

Chronic illness - The Pastoral Care Committee of the First Church of Christ Congregational, 75 Main St., Farmington, is offering a support group, Living Well with Chronic Illness. The group provides emotional, spiritual and physical means to meet the demands of living with a long-term illness. Information: Willow Bascom at (860) 673-8568 or (860) 673-4840.

Depression - Recovery Inc., a support group for people who suffer from anxiety, depression and fears, meets at the Congregational Church of Plainville, 130 W. Main St. (Route 372). Information: (860) 747-5682.

Depression, sunlight related - For many people, winter's cold, long days have a chilling effect that brings on a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that typically strikes more women than men and peaks in December, January and February. The Hospital of Central Connecticut is beginning a group therapy program, Tools to Treat Depression. The one-hour sessions will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Counseling Center, 50 Griswold St., New Britain. Participants may start at any time. Each week will feature a new topic linked to depression. Information: (860) 224-5804.

Depression, pregnancy-related - A free pregnancy-related confidential depression support group is offered at Bristol Hospital, Brewster Road, each Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Women who have symptoms such as crying daily for more than two weeks, anxiety, obsessive disturbing thoughts and other such experiences should contact their health care provider. Information: Ann Marie at (860) 585-3697.

Diabetes - The Bristol Hospital Center for Diabetes, 102 North St., offers morning and evening support groups for people with diabetes and their families. Free. Registration recommended. Information: (860) 940-6300. The next meetings are Tuesdays, Sept. 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m., or Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to noon. Adults with diabetes, their families and friends are invited to attend. Free. Registration: (860) 940-6300.

Diabetes - The Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General holds several monthly support groups for people with diabetes. Morning groups meet 10 to 11:30 a.m. Evening groups meet 5:30 to 7 p.m.. Information: (860) 224-5672 or toll-free (888) 456-7546.

Elderly Outreach - Wheeler Clinic's Elderly Outreach Recovery Program provides support groups for seniors 60 and older who may have substance abuse issues or are concerned about the effects of alcohol and substance use. Support group meetings are held Tuesdays, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Wheeler Clinic, 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville. Information: Wheeler Clinic at (860) 793-3771.

Families United - Families United Network Plainville has a support group for families of children with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Plainville Public Library, 56 E. Main St., in the downstairs meeting room. Information: Chris Walker at toll-free (866) 439-0788, ext. 104.

Fibromyalgia - Hope Keepers, a faith-based support group for women who suffer from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis, is held every fourth Thursday of the month, at 7 to 8:30 p.m., at New Life Fellowship Church, 1 Northwest Drive, Plainville. The next meeting is Sept. 25. Information: (860) 747-1166.

Grief - Hospice of Bristol Hospital offers the Coping with Grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. Day and evening sessions are offered. Information: Betty Burgess at (860) 585-4752.

HIV/AIDS - AIDS Project Hartford sponsors an HIV/AIDS support group on the third Friday each month, from 5 to 6 p.m., at St. Philip House, 80 Broad St., Plainville. Light refreshments are served. Information: Ken Flyte at (860) 826-4741, ext. 105 or kf@aidsprojecthartford.org; or Rich Baraglia, executive director, at (860) 793-2221, ext. 11 or rbaraglia@stphiliphouse.org.

Inflammatory bowel disease - A new support group for people with inflammatory bowel diseases is meeting on the last Thursday of the month, September through June, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Maple View Manor, 856 Maple St., Rocky Hill. Information: the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America at (203) 393-8964.

Low vision - The Low Vision Support Group meets on the last Monday of each month, beginning at 3 p.m., at The Orchards at Southington, 34 Hobart St., Southington. The group is facilitated by Melissa Knickerbocker from Southington Care Center's Outpatient Low Vision Program. Learn about resources and tips for coping with low vision and receive the support of others. For more information, call Katie Mauriello at (860) 628-5656.

Lung disease - The Bristol Hospital Better Breathing Club is a free support group for people with chronic lung disease and asthma. Information: Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department at (860) 585-3580.

Lupus - The Greater Hartford Lupus Support Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, except for July, at 97 South St., Suite 110, West Hartford. The confidentiality of the group is always held in trust. Information: e-mail ctlfa@sbcglobal.net or visit the Web site www.lupusct.org. he next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 17, facilitated by Marilyn Sousa,the founder, and Pauline Brignano, the former chairwoman of the Board of Directors. The topic will be "share your summer coping tips." New people and family members or friends are always welcome. Free.

Lyme disease - The Greater Hartford Lyme Disease Support and Action Group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Farmington-Unionville Community Center, 321 New Britain Ave., Unionville. Information: Christopher Montes at (860) 673-8759; Randy Sykes at (860) 658-9938; or visit the Web site at www.ctlymedisease.org.

MOMS Club - The support group for moms who stay-at-home, either part-time or full-time, and who live in Plainville, Southington, Bristol, Farmington or New Britain. The group offers playgroups, park dates, community field trips, holiday parties, moms night out and more. For more information, contact Carley Vesneski at carley.vesneski@gmail.com or (860) 793-8759.

Moms Milk Group - An informal support group for nursing mothers is held every Wednesday, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Family BirthPlace of the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General. For more information, please call the Breast Feeding Support Center at (860) 224-5226.

Mothers of Multiples - Mothers of Multiples of Greater Bristol is a support group for mothers of twins, triplets, and higher order multiple children. The group meets at St. John's Episcopal Church, 851 Stafford Ave., Bristol. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. This will be a welcome back social meeting, no speaker. New members are always welcome. Information: Tracey Gabree, (860) 628-9199 or www.bristolmoms.org.

Motivated Moms - The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital is sponsoring Motivated Moms, a support group for single mothers, meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Parent and Child Center, 9 Prospect St., Bristol. Registration required. Information: (860) 585-3661.

Multiple sclerosis - Plainville Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Wheeler Clinic, 91 Northwest Drive. Information: call George at (860) 793-9589. For more information about multiple sclerosis, visit www.ctnmss.org or call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter, at (800) 233-7617.

Multiple sclerosis - The Southington Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, at Bradley Memorial, 81 Meriden Ave., Southington. Information: Jennifer at (860) 426-0010 or Lynn at (860) 589-2247.

Narcanon - Narcanon, a nonprofit organization that helps people with drug addictions, offers free assessments and local referrals. For information, call (800) 556-8885 or visit www.drugrehab.net.

New Moms - The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital, in partnership with Connecticut District Exchange Clubs, is offering a free program geared towards new moms. Pre-registration is required. Information: InfoLink at Bristol Hospital at (860) 585-3661.

Overeaters Anonymous - Overeaters Anonymous is not a diet club, but a group of people recovering from compulsive overeating. Meetings are held Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Bristol Hospital, in the small dining room on Level E. There's no need to register, there are no fees or weigh-ins and all are welcome. Information: Fran at (860) 583-0725.

Play Group - The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital offers a play group for mothers and children ages birth to 2-years-old, for an afternoon of games and singing. There is no fee for this program, but registration is necessary. Information: InfoLink at (860) 585-3661.

Prostate Cancer - The Club, a new prostate cancer support group, meeting quarterly on the fourth Friday of February, May, September and December is being offered by the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, 200 Main St., Bristol, to share support and information about the disease. Information: (860) 584-4718.

Prostate Cancer - The support group meets at New Britain General Hospital on the second Wednesday of each month, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Light supper. Information: (860) 224-5299.

Self-Help Directory - The Connecticut Self-Help Network is updating information for the 2007-2009 Self-Help Directory. If you are running a self-help group and are not listed in our database, call (203) 624-6982, visit: www.theconsultationcenter.org/self-help.htm or write: Connecticut Self-Help Network, 389 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511. The Connecticut Self-Help Network, funded by the Department of Social Services and the Consultation Center, is a statewide clearinghouse for self-help groups that are offered free of charge.

Single moms - The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital sponsors Motivated Moms, a support group for single mothers, which are held on a Wednesday evening, from 6 to 7 p.m. Registration required. To pre-register, call (860) 585-3661.

Sleep apnea - A sleep apnea support group, sponsored by the Hospital of Central Connecticut, is held regularly at the New Britain General campus. Information: (860) 633-9330.

Suicide survivors - Safeplace: Survivors of Suicide Support Group meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at St. James' Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. The support group is a nonprofit, nonaffiliated, self-supporting group for adults who have lost a loved one to suicide. The group is sponsored by the Samaritans. Information: Maxine at (860) 628-7161.

Survivors of Homicide - A support group for people who have had a loved one murdered, Survivors of Homicide, meets at Southington Care Center, 45 Meriden Ave, Southington, on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Information: Marie Pellegrini, (860) 621-9939, or www.survivorsofhomicide.com.

Traumatic brain injury - Thursday Brings Inspiration is a social group for individuals with a traumatic brain injury. Many participants are accompanied by a friend or relative for this evening of socialization and games. People from all towns are welcome. The group meets every Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Southington, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington. Information: Jeanine Flammia at (203) 574-3218 or Dr. James Pier at (203) 272-6007.

Young parents - The Parent and Child Center at Bristol Hospital, in partnership with the CT District Exchange Clubs, offers a free support group for young parents helping to ensure the success of teen parents and their children by encouraging healthy relationships with other teen parents. Participants will learn about community resources while responding to emerging challenges of early parenthood and strengthening life skills. The young parents support group meets the second Saturday of the month between 10 and 11:30 a.m. at the Parent and Child Center, 9 Prospect St., Bristol. Information: call InfoLink at Bristol Hospital at (860) 585-3661.

Send announcements for "Support Groups" to The Plainville Citizen, 333 East St., Plainville, CT 06062, e-mail news@plainvillecitizen.com.