About The Self-help Directory

The Self-Help Clearinghouse of Rockland County is a service from the Educational Services of the Mental Health Association of Rockland County, Inc. It was established in October, 1986, with the help of a grant from the New York State Council on Children with Families.

The Directory of Self-help/Mutual Support Groups in Rockland compiled by the Self-Help Clearinghouse of Rockland County, is a guide to the many mutual support groups available in Rockland County.

The Clearinghouse:

• provides free and confidential information and referral to self-help/mutual support groups;
  
• assists in the formation of new groups;
  
• trains self-help group leaders;
  
• offers various workshops;
  
• provides ongoing technical assistance to self-help groups;
  
• educates the community about mutual support;
  
• and publishes a directory, newsletter and calendar.

The Directory is designed to:

• help individuals locate specific groups they may wish to call for
  information or join;
• assist self-help groups in networking with other groups;
• provide professionals with a listing of self-help groups available for referral;
• broaden the community's knowledge of the self-help movement and of local community-based support groups;
• facilitate linkages between self-help groups and professionals;
• and document the wide array of services offered by self-help groups including group meetings, one-to-one peer counseling, advocacy and fundraising.

For easy usage, the Directory is divided into broad categories that cover the range of groups listed with the Clearinghouse. Individual groups are listed alphabetically by category. Sometimes group contact persons or phone numbers change. If you are unable to contact the group of your choice, please call us and we will try to be of assistance.

Most groups are:

• peer-led;
• center around a common situation;
• charge no fee or a nominal fee to cover postage and refreshment costs;
• give individuals an opportunity for creative problem-solving and support;
• provide an encouraging and understanding atmosphere.

Those groups that are led by professionals are designated "professionally facilitated mutual support groups."

If you have any questions about a group or would like to start a new group, call the Self-Help Clearinghouse at (845) 267-2172.

The Clearinghouse operates in cooperation with The Rockland County Department of Social Services Information and Referral Service, which can be reached at (845) 364-1155.