Searching for Support Groups

Support group for people with Celiac disease, an intolerance to gluten

• holds meetings in Kingston

Community of one parent-families providing guidance and support to families in the same circumstance

• offers family activities such as: swimming, tobogganing, laser tag, bowling, breakfasts, lunches, movies, camping
• adult/sports activities such as: dinners, dances, volleyball, softball, pool nights, card night, bowling, camping, skating, movie night, hiking, barbecues
• offers children's subsidies for members who have paid their annual fees and have done their required volunteer hours

Not-for-profit organization supporting people who go on eating binges

• obsess about food or weight
• starve themselves
• have difficulties with weight or body-image
• members take turns leading meetings
• weight loss with mental and spiritual change

Mutual support groups with member facilitated meetings

Community support group

• recreation, education, and integration through social opportunities
• public education
• offers different programs such as: after-school program, swim squad, tigers (martial arts), extra awesome on-the-town

Mutual support group for those dealing with alcohol addiction

• employs a 12-step program

Hospital based outpatient mental health services

• support, psychoeducation, psychiatric rehabilitation and intensive group treatment for adults experiencing significant mental health challenges
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• time-limited program with a maximum participation of four to six weeks

Agency provides support and services to people 16 years and older who are experiencing addiction and/or mental health issues and seeking Peer Support as a ways and means of managing and working toward being well

• offers a safe, non-judgemental environment for individuals with mental health and/or addictions concerns and meet them where they are in their own recovery
• offers Intentional Peer Support, Peer Support Groups, Guest Speakers, Wellness Recovery Action Plan Groups (WRAP), computer access, cards, games, crafts, free coffee and tea, television and resource materials

Counselling for women who want to establish lives free of violence and for children who have witnessed violence

• one-to-one and group sessions
• Indigenous program (healing and parenting circles)
• Francophone Outreach program

Provides one-on-one, confidential counselling for women who have been in an abusive relationship with a male or female partner

• women can be seen in Kingston, Sydenham and Verona
• small support groups are offered throughout the year in Kingston on such topics as healthy relationships, building self-esteem, life after trauma, and women at mid-life
• half-day workshops in art therapy, creative journaling and spirituality are occasionally offered
• an outreach worker is sometimes available to provide court support
• Cross-cultural counselling for immigrant, francophone and first nations women
• Safety planning
• Referrals to other beneficial services in the community

In-person, video or phone services available and based on client preference.

COVID-19 (23 Apr 2020): 24 hr crisis lines, residential programs, ACTT services and phone lines remain open and continue as usual but all other services on hold or cancelled at this time. Ongoing changes to AMHS-KFLA's services in light of COVID-19 are available on their website

Educational support for people living with chronic mental illness or addiction, their families, caregivers as well as professionals and the general public: specialized library

• information about local resources
• support groups for family/friends and for children whose parents have a mental illness or addiction

Educational courses on mental illness includes NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program: a free 11-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses, taught by trained family members

• curriculum focusing on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• discusses clinical treatment; teaches the knowledge and skills needed by family members to cope more effectively

COVID-19 (23 Apr 2020): 24 hr crisis lines, residential programs, ACTT services and phone lines remain open and continue as usual but all other services on hold or cancelled at this time. Ongoing changes to AMHS-KFLA's services in light of COVID-19 are available on their website

Specialized problem gambling services

• individual and group counselling
• support for friends and family available
• outreach, education and prevention

Methodist church

• small groups
• community meal
• No Longer Alone: narcotics anonymous meetings
• creative group

Disability resource centre

• provides information, support, and skills-building programs that address disability issues in the community supports people with disabilities, their families, and the community

Information & Referral:

• helps connect people with community income support programs, recreation, attendant services, poverty relief, social supports, etc
• assists with the process of applying for programs such as Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD)

Peer Support Programs:

• allow individuals with disabilities to share experiences and knowledge
• participants share information about managing a disability and help each other in developing strategies to overcome barriers
• offers one-to-one support, a weekly social group, and a monthly diners' club

Independent Living Skills Development Services:

• assist individuals to find the resources they need and develop life management skills to reach their goals

Resource Centre:

• extensive community resource library that offers information on topics such as food, shelter, and disability services in the community
• also offers a computer lab with internet access equipped with accessibility features such as voice input and voice output software

Direct Funding Self-managed Attendant Services:

• see separate record for details

Disability Tax Credit Support Services:

• assist individuals to complete the Federal Disability Tax Credit Application to obtain the non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities and their families reduce their income tax

Confidential health supportive services for people living with or who are affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

• provides support groups, prison and regional outreach services
• information about HIV, antibody testing, safer sex, etc. as well as support and counselling
• comprehensive harm reduction services, including needle and syringe program, naloxone
• programs aimed at women, and men who have sex with men
• Trellis also operates the Integrated Care Hub at 661 Montreal Street, a low-barrier harm reduction centre for individuals who use substances and/or experience homelessness

Group for separated and divorced persons of any denomination

• support on the journey towards new life following marital breakdown

COVID-19 (17 May 2023): Monthly meeting on Zoom going forward. To receive the link, email at chronicpainkingston@gmail.com

Support group for individuals with chronic pain

• support and guidance
• educational speaker events

Bereavement services for the bereaved

• provides programs, services and resources based on a peer support model to individuals and groups
• helps with the healing and grieving process
• offers one-to-one support with trained volunteers as well as grief support groups that are led by peer facilitators, and we also maintain a lending library of grief resources

Volunteer-based, not-for-profit, health organization focused on finding a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of those affected

• Raises funds and organizes regular educational meetings
• Support/Volunteer meetings beginning with open discussion on living with Crohn's or colitis and open to all

Mutual support group for people whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue transplantation, for pre-operative and post-operative transplant recipients, and their friends and families

Promotion of and education on organ and tissue donation

Modest financial support may be offered to people in the transplant process

Network of trans people

• meets at least once a month to share stories and experiences, provide peer support, and assist each other in navigating the various barriers faced by trans people and by their supporters

Weekly teaching and fellowship for adult men, focusing on making better choices, abandoning self-destructive tendencies, and developing pro-social behaviour

• topics include restoration, justice, forgiveness, navigating life's challenges
• often have light refreshments and group discussions

Support group for parents of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other mental illnesses

• child care during meetings is not available
• parent workshop
• Walk 4 Kids Mental Health celebration

Regional chapter of a national voluntary health organization

• provides a variety of epilepsy and seizure disorder education programs
• responds to information requests
• offers client advocacy, counselling, and support
• support groups

Services include:

One-to-one support:

• addresses individual/family needs and concerns in a confidential and supportive environment
• service is available by phone, email, or at a place convenient to the client in their community

Educational Workshops:

• in-service presentations to businesses, schools, and community groups on what epilepsy is and how to help someone having a seizure
• presentations can be tailored to meet the needs of the group

Community displays:

• staffed displays to reach out to community members in order to increase community-wide awareness of our services and to increase knowledge and acceptance of epilepsy

Transportation Program:

• for persons with Epilepsy to assist them to attend medical appointments at the District Epilepsy Centre operated by Kingston Health Sciences Centre as well as community appointments

COVID-19 (23 Apr 2020): Due to COVID19, CHS offices are closed to the public. Services continue remotely by video; all services available via video conferencing.

Counselling program for people with hearing loss their families, caregivers and the general public

• home visits
• communication devices loans
• demonstration
• trial and sales
• supportive counselling
• advocacy
• education and information
• offers Hearing Help Classes and Tinnitus Support Groups and support to older adults with Meniere's
• offers in-service workshops on hearing loss to community agencies/groups that provide training and services to seniors.
• goal is to reduce isolation due to hearing loss and to increase independence and safety at individual's chosen home