Where can I find virtual support groups for traumatic brain injury survivors and caregivers. How do online TBI support groups work. What are the benefits of joining a virtual brain injury support community. Which states offer remote TBI support group options.

Understanding the Importance of Virtual TBI Support Groups

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be an isolating and challenging experience, not only for survivors but also for their caregivers and family members. Virtual support groups have emerged as a vital lifeline, offering connection, understanding, and resources to those affected by TBI. These online communities provide a safe space for individuals to share experiences, seek advice, and find emotional support from others who truly understand their journey.

Benefits of Participating in Online TBI Support Groups

• Accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection
• Reduced travel barriers for those with mobility issues
• Anonymity and comfort of participating from home
• Diverse perspectives from a wider geographic range
• Flexible scheduling options
• Access to expert speakers and resources

Can virtual support groups really make a difference for TBI survivors and caregivers? Research suggests that online support communities can significantly improve quality of life, reduce feelings of isolation, and provide valuable coping strategies for those affected by brain injury.

Nationwide Virtual TBI Support Group Offerings

Across the United States, various organizations and state brain injury associations have adapted to provide virtual support options. Here’s a comprehensive overview of available online TBI support groups by state:

Alabama

The Alabama Head Injury Foundation hosts two virtual support group meetings per week. Interested participants can email [email protected] for more information or visit their website to register.

Alaska

Access Alaska offers an online brain injury support group via Zoom. To join, individuals can call 800-770-7940 or email [email protected] for registration details.

Arizona

Arizona provides several virtual support group options, including:

• Monthly online meetings for male survivors of brain injury
• Monthly online meetings for female survivors of brain injury
• Family Caregiver virtual support group
• Additional virtual support groups with varying focuses

To participate in these Arizona-based groups, interested individuals should visit the state’s brain injury association website for registration links and further information.

Arkansas

Arkansas offers virtual support options for both caregivers and TBI survivors:

• Caregiver Support Group: First Monday of the month, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Support group for people with brain injury: Every Tuesday from 1 – 2 p.m.

For access information, individuals should check the Arkansas brain injury support group website.

Specialized Virtual Support Groups for TBI Survivors

Many states and organizations offer targeted support groups to address the unique needs of different TBI survivor populations. These specialized groups can provide more tailored support and resources.

Gender-Specific Support Groups

Some virtual support groups cater specifically to male or female TBI survivors, recognizing that gender can play a role in the brain injury experience and recovery process. For example, Arizona offers separate monthly online meetings for male and female survivors of brain injury.

Young Stroke Survivors

Younger individuals who have experienced a stroke or TBI often face unique challenges. The Brain Injury Association of Maryland hosts a Young Stroke Group that meets virtually on the first and third Fridays of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

Severe TBI Caregiver Support

Caregivers of individuals with severe TBI require specialized support. Maryland offers a severe brain injury caregiver support group that meets online from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. ET on the second and fourth Sunday of each month using Zoom.

How do these specialized groups enhance the support experience for TBI survivors and caregivers? By focusing on specific demographics or injury severities, these groups can address more targeted concerns and provide peer support from those with highly similar experiences.

Virtual Support Groups in California: A Model for Comprehensive Care

California offers a diverse range of virtual support options for TBI survivors and caregivers, serving as an excellent model for comprehensive online support:

• The TBI Bridge: Offers virtual support groups for people with brain injury and caregivers on several days each month.
• St. Jude Brain Injury Network: Provides a virtual support group for Southern California residents.
• San Diego Brain Injury Foundation: Hosts a Saturday morning speaker series, offering educational content alongside peer support.
• Brain Injury Center in Ventura County: Facilitates an online support group on Wednesdays.
• Sacramento Head Trauma Support Project (HTSP): Hosts virtual Thursday evening Caregiver, ABI, and MTBI support groups.
• Kaiser Caregiver Support Group: Meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. PST.

What makes California’s approach to virtual TBI support particularly effective? The variety of options caters to different schedules, specific needs, and preferences, ensuring that more individuals can find a group that suits their unique situation.

Navigating Virtual Support Group Platforms

Most virtual TBI support groups utilize video conferencing platforms to facilitate their meetings. Zoom is a popular choice among many organizations due to its ease of use and accessibility features.

Tips for Participating in Virtual Support Groups

1. Ensure you have a stable internet connection
2. Find a quiet, private space for the meeting
3. Test your audio and video before joining
4. Familiarize yourself with the platform’s features, such as mute/unmute and chat functions
5. Be respectful of others’ sharing time and maintain confidentiality
6. Prepare any questions or topics you’d like to discuss in advance

Are there any special considerations for TBI survivors when using video conferencing platforms? Some individuals with TBI may experience sensitivity to screens or difficulty with attention. In these cases, it’s helpful to:

• Adjust screen brightness and use blue light filters
• Take regular breaks during longer sessions
• Use headphones to minimize distractions
• Utilize closed captioning features if available

The Role of State Brain Injury Associations in Virtual Support

State brain injury associations play a crucial role in organizing and facilitating virtual support groups. These organizations often serve as the primary resource for finding and accessing online TBI support communities within a specific state.

Key Functions of State Brain Injury Associations

• Coordinating and hosting virtual support group meetings
• Providing registration information and access links
• Offering resources and educational materials
• Connecting survivors and caregivers with additional services
• Advocating for the needs of the TBI community

How can individuals locate their state’s brain injury association? The Brain Injury Association of America provides a directory of state affiliates on their website, making it easy to find local resources and support options.

Expanding Virtual Support: Beyond Traditional Group Meetings

While traditional support group meetings form the core of virtual TBI support, many organizations are expanding their online offerings to provide more comprehensive assistance:

Innovative Virtual Support Initiatives

• Webinars and educational series
• One-on-one peer mentoring programs
• Online forums and discussion boards
• Social media support communities
• Virtual adaptive exercise classes
• Telehealth counseling services

For example, the Brain Injury Association of Maryland offers “Check-in chats” every Friday at noon, providing a more casual and frequent touchpoint for community members. The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation’s Saturday morning speaker series combines education with peer support, offering valuable insights from experts in the field.

How do these additional virtual support options complement traditional support group meetings? By offering a variety of engagement formats, organizations can cater to different preferences and needs within the TBI community, ensuring that more individuals can access the support they require.

Overcoming Challenges in Virtual TBI Support

While virtual support groups offer numerous benefits, they also present unique challenges that organizations and participants must navigate:

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Technology barriers: Offer tech support or tutorials for participants
• Maintaining engagement: Use interactive features and breakout rooms
• Ensuring confidentiality: Establish clear guidelines and use secure platforms
• Addressing diverse needs: Provide specialized groups and topics
• Combating fatigue: Limit session duration and incorporate breaks

How can virtual support group facilitators create a welcoming and effective online environment? Successful facilitators often:

• Establish clear ground rules and expectations
• Encourage participation through gentle prompts and open-ended questions
• Manage time effectively to ensure all participants have a chance to share
• Provide resources and follow-up support between meetings
• Adapt to the group’s evolving needs and interests

By addressing these challenges proactively, virtual TBI support groups can provide a valuable and sustainable resource for survivors and caregivers.

The Future of Virtual TBI Support: Trends and Innovations

As technology continues to advance and the needs of the TBI community evolve, virtual support options are likely to expand and improve. Several emerging trends and innovations are shaping the future of online TBI support:

Emerging Trends in Virtual TBI Support

• Integration of virtual reality (VR) for immersive support experiences
• AI-powered chatbots for 24/7 support and resource navigation
• Personalized mobile apps for tracking recovery and connecting with peers
• Gamification elements to encourage engagement and goal-setting
• Teletherapy options integrated with support group platforms

How might these technological advancements enhance the virtual support experience for TBI survivors and caregivers? Innovations like VR could provide more engaging and interactive support sessions, while AI-powered tools could offer personalized guidance and resources tailored to each individual’s needs and recovery journey.

As virtual TBI support continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that these online communities will play an increasingly vital role in connecting, educating, and empowering those affected by brain injury. By embracing technology and adapting to the changing needs of the TBI community, virtual support groups are poised to provide even more comprehensive and accessible assistance in the years to come.

Virtual Support Groups – Brain Injury Association of America

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Seeking support online can be very helpful. Whether you are an individual living with a brain injury or a caregiver, it helps to know you are not alone. Scroll down to find virtual support groups for you and your family.

Alabama

• The Alabama Head Injury Foundation offers two virtual support group meetings per week. For more information, email [email protected] or click here.

Alaska

• Access Alaska offers an online brain injury support group through Zoom. To register, call 800-770-7940 or email info@accessalaska. org.

Arizona

• A monthly online meeting for male survivors of brain injury is available. To register click here.
• A monthly online meeting for female survivors of brain injury is available. To register click here.
• Family Caregiver virtual support group is available. To register click here.
• Several other virtual support groups are available. For more information about times and how to register click here.

Arkansas

• Caregiver Support Group: First Monday of the month 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 
• Support group for people with brain injury Every Tuesday from 1 – 2 p.m.
• For information on how to access the group click here. 

California

• The TBI Bridge offers virtual support groups for people with brain injury and caregivers on several days each month. Click here to check the website for specific meeting times and to sign up for the meeting.
• In Southern California, the St. Jude Brain Injury Network offers a virtual support group. To get more information about the group visit their website
• San Diego Brain Injury Foundation offers a Saturday morning speaker series. It is not a support group. Visit their website to learn more about the speakers and how to join the meeting.
• The Brain Injury Center in Ventura county offers an online support group on Wednesdays. Visit their calendar to view upcoming meeting times and to register for the meeting.

• Sacramento Head Trauma Support Project HTSP is hosting Virtual Thursday evening Caregiver, ABI, and MTBI support groups. To obtain the weekly links and meeting times to these groups, please email [email protected]

• Kaiser Caregiver Support Group Meets: Monthly, 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. PST, please Email: [email protected] to get information on accessing the group.

Connecticut

• There are several virtual brain injury support groups available in Connecticut. To find a current list click here.

Delaware

• The Brain Injury Association of Delaware offers a virtual support group that meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET. The virtual support group is facilitated by Amy Kratz for people living with brain injury, caregivers, and anyone who needs a brain injury support network. For more information, email [email protected] or call 302-346-2083. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail with your phone number and email address to receive the link to participate in support group meetings and important updates as needed.

Florida

Georgia

• The Brain Injury Association of Georgia offers several virtual online support groups. Visit their website for information about the groups.

Hawaii

• Stroke Survivor online support group. For information about the group and to register click here.

Indiana

• The Brain Injury Association of Indiana offers information about support group. Contact the group leader about options to participate online.

Louisiana

• The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana offers a virtual support group that meets the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CST. Additional virtual groups are offered at various times. For more information and/or to be added to the support group list, please email [email protected].

Maryland

• The Brain Injury Association of Maryland offers the following support group options:
  
  • Check-in chats every Friday at noon. To register, click here
  • Young Stroke Group meets the first and third Fridays of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Contact Susan Emery to learn more.
  • The severe brain injury caregiver support group meets online from 7:30 p. m. to 8:45 p.m. ET on the second and fourth Sunday of each month using Zoom. Call 301-502-8420 or contact Tom Gallup for more information. Or visit the website.

Massachusetts

• The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts has made a temporary transition of their brain injury support groups to virtual settings. Click here to see the schedule of virtual support groups.

Michigan

• The Brain Injury Association of Michigan offers some virtual or hybrid support groups throughout the state.  For more information about support groups, contact Kathie at 810-229-5880 or [email protected] 

Missouri

• The Brain Injury Association of Missouri offers several online support groups. Click here to see the calendar of events.

New Mexico

• There are several online brain injury support groups available in New Mexico. To learn more click here.
• The Brain Injury Resource Center in NM lists online support groups. For information click here.

New York

• The Brain Injury Association of New York support groups are meeting virtually, either by phone or video conferencing. Click here for more details.

North Dakota

• There is a Support Group that meets the last Monday of the month at 2 p.m. 
• Some support groups in North Dakota are offering in person and online groups. For more information click here.

Oregon

• Abilitree offers a weekly virtual support group from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. Click here for more details.
• Brain Injury Connections Northwest offers a virtual group every other Saturday. Click here for more details.
• Information for an online support group for parents of a child with a brain injury can be found here.
• The Pacific Northwest Head Injury Support group is offering an online group the first Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information click here.

Pennsylvania

• The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania lists online support groups happening in the the state

Rhode Island

• The Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island offers an online support group Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 7 p.m. Visit their website for information on how to join the group.

Tennessee

• The Brain Injury Association of Tennessee lists in person and online support groups meeting in the state. 

Texas

• The Optometry Center for Vision Therapy offers an online educational brain injury support group. For more information and to RSVP click here. 
• Austin Brain Injury Association offers a monthly support group online. Click here for more details.
• OLMEC Dinner – Every second Wednesday 6 – 7 p.m. Central time. Bi-lingual support group. Visit https://www.olmectexas.com/copy-of-nuestros-eventos-1 for more information and meeting information.

Utah

The Brain Injury Alliance of Utah is offering an online support group for people with brain injury in Utah. It meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. It will meet through the end of January 2023. To participate in the meeting contact the BIAU office or click here. 

Virginia

• The Brain Injury Association of Virginia offers the following support group options:
  
  • A monthly online caregiver support group. If you are interested in joining, click here to contact Debra.
  • An online survivor and family support group that meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET on the third Monday of each month. If you are interested in joining, click here to contact Christine.

Washington

• Online support group second Thursday of the month 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Visit https://kitsapbraininjury.org/groups.html to register for the group.
• Online Koffee Klatches – small zoom meetings to check in. Every Monday at 10 a.m. Visit https://kitsapbraininjury.org/groups.html look for link to register for Koffee Klatch

West Virginia

• There are several brain injury support groups offered virtually. For more information about the groups click here.

Wisconsin

• The Traumatic Brain Injury Support Program is meeting virtually from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Click on the link to see the meeting schedule to get more information about the group.

Wyoming

• The Wyoming stroke/brain injury support group is meeting virtually from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Click here for more details.

National Support Groups

• Severe BI Caregivers  is a nationwide online support group that meets virtually twice per month on Sunday evenings.  Its goal is to provide support to individuals and families who care for those suffering from any type of serious brain injury. Through an online community of other caregivers, the group shares stories, ideas, suggestions, and words of encouragement.  The login can be found on their website: www.severebicaregivers.com .  Or you may contact Tom Gallup at 301-502-8420.

• TryMunity is a non-profit organization increasing awareness and providing support to individuals and families suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) through an online social community for survivors and supporters of shared stories, ideas, suggestions, and words of encouragement. TryMunity gives you the opportunity to meet others and create a supportive network, share your story, join a discussion, post a blog, upload photos, and learn from others.
• PINK Concussions’ Women’s Group is a private group for women over 25 who live with brain injury.
• The Smart Patients Brain Injury Discussion Forum is an online support group for patients and caregivers dealing with traumatic brain injury. Members share help, advice and information about treatments, symptoms and side effects.
• The Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group is a place where you can share your frustration, joy, fears, and anything else that pertains to TBIs.
• Hope After Head Injury has monthly online support groups. Visit their site to see the schedule and register.

Support Groups — The Brain Injury Association of Ohio

Upcoming Support Groups

You can search groups local to you by searching your zip code in the search box.

Support Group Listing by County

ALLEN COUNTY

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP

Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center

730 West Market Street

Lima, Ohio 45805

Where: High Street Cafe Conference Room 

When: The third Monday of every month from 11:30am – 1:00pm 

Contact: Brittany Patterson or Megan Evers @ 419-227-3361 ext. 7773 or 7768

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

University Hospital-Beachwood

University Rehabilitation Hospital-Beachwood

2333 Harvard Rd.

Beachwood, OH  44122

When:  Every 4th Wednesday, starting April 26, 2023, 5:00pm–6:00pm

note: caregivers only.

Hanson House TBI Clubhouse

Berea United Methodist Church

170 Seminary Street

Berea, OH  44017

When:  Every Wednesday, from 10:30am – 2:30pm

Please call 10 days in advance to attend meetings

Contact:  Diana Kelley   440.234.9900   [email protected]

Hanson House Caregiver Support Group

Berea United Methodist Church

170 Seminary Street

Berea, OH  44017

Third Wednesday of every month, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Contact:  Diana Kelley  440. 234.9900  [email protected]

Church office:  440.234.3525

Trauma Survivors Network

Cleveland Metro Health

2500 Metrohealth Drive

Cleveland, OH  44109

Third Wednesday of each month, at 6:00pm

Contact Rhonda Jenkins  216.778.8643

Support Trauma and Recovery Group (STAR)

MetroHealth, Old Brooklyn Campus

4229 Pearl Road

Cleveland, OH 44109

Contact:  216.778.2388  Call for dates and times

Physical Trauma support group for persons with brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation, etc.  Meets 6-7 times per year for fun and some educational activities as well. 

Brain Tumor Support Group

Cleveland Clinic – Taussig Cancer Center

Virtual Platform

Every 3rd Tuesday, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m

For more information, please call 216.636.0007, option 2.

Website: my.clevelandclinic.org/brain_tumor

Brain Injury Support Group

Christ Church

23080 Royalton Road

Columbia Station, OH  44028

Last Sunday of each month, except for December from 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Contact:  Mary Beth Ballenger mary. [email protected] or 440.570.0946

Caregivers and Survivors are welcome

Greater Cleveland Stroke Club

Caregiver/Survivor Meeting

Select Hospital

11900 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120

First Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:30PM

RSVP to Kay 440-449-3309

Email [email protected] for zoom links.

For more events see their calendar

Strongsville

Christ Church

23080 Royalton Road

Columbia Station, Ohio  44028

Last Sunday of every month from 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Contact:  Mary Beth Ballenger  [email protected] or 440.570.0946

There are two separate groups:  one for survivors and one for caregivers/supporters.

Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital

4389 Medina Road, Copley, OH  44321

Held in cafeteria

Second Wednesday of each month, from 3:0 pm – 5:00pm 

Contact:   [email protected] 234.815. 5066

234.815.5066

Erie County

Sandusky Area Stroke Club

First Tuesday of each month, 11:30 meet for lunch and conversation at a restaurant.  Call Sue 419-433-3054 for the location. 

Third Tuesday of each month, 5:30 PM, meet for dinner and conversation at Longhorn Steakhouse on Rt. 250 in Sandusky. 

Contact Sue at 419-433-3054 or [email protected] for information.

All/Everyone welcome means stroke survivors, brain injured, spouses, caregivers, friends, etc.

Frankln COUNTY

TBI Support Group for those experiencing homelessness, SUDS, and Mental Health diagnosis

Columbus Public Library- Main

96 S. Grant Ave Columbus Ohio 43214

April 26th 6:30-8PM (meeting room TBD)

May 24th 6:30-8PM Meeting Room 1-B

June 28th 6:30-8PM Meeting Room 1-C

Meeting room may change monthly, contact Michael for details.

Contact: Michael Oliver at [email protected]

Note: Caregivers are welcome and there will be a focus on brain injury education, awareness and outreach.

The Dempsey Family, Education and Resource Center

The Ohio Health Riverside Methodist Hospital

The Ohio Health Neuroscience Center

3535 Olentangy River Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43214

Contact: The Dempsey Center 614.788.6115 or [email protected]

Note: The Dempsey Center has over 25 support, education and therapy including TBI, Stroke, Caregiver Support Groups, Yoga, Art, and Communication groups. You can find a calendar of events on their website at Dempsey Center-OhioHealth

Parking: Bring your parking ticket to the meeting for validation

OSU Spouses of Persons with TBI Support Group

OSU Outpatient Rehab

Martha Morehouse Pavilion  Second Floor – Suite 2156

2050 Kenny Road

Columbus, Ohio 43221

When: Third Monday, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Facilitated by:  Wanda Mcentyre Rehab Psychologist

Please call before attending: 614. 293.3830  Option #4

OSU Brain Injury Support GROUP

OSU Outpatient Rehab  – Martha Morehouse Pavilion, Second Floor

2050 Kenny Road

Columbus, Ohio 43221

When: third Tuesday, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Facilitated by: Wanda McEntyre Rehab Psychologist  Questions call: 614.293.3830

“SMART” – Survivors Making a REAL TEAM

This is a support group for young adults who have survived traumatic and acquired brain injuries that includes education and socialization through different activities. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the group is meeting in a hybrid format and people are welcome to attend through Zoom or in person.

The meetings are the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 pm to 8:00pm

Contact Facilitator, Joy Omslaer for information: (614) 293-2923 or email [email protected]

OSU Outpatient Rehab

Martha Morehouse Pavilion

Second Floor Suite 2134

2050 Kenny Road

Columbus, Ohio 43221

When: second Tuesday of each month, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Facilitated by: Joy Omslaer   Questions call: 614. 293.2923 OR email: [email protected] to get information on attending.

TBI Network

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in cooperation

with the ADAMH of Franklin County.

Contact: For information, questions or eligibility, call: 614.685.8511

HAMILTON COUNTY

PLAN of Southwest OHio Mild TBI Support Group

1251 Kemper Meadow Dr. Suite 100-A

Cincinnati, OH  45240

First Tuesday of every month, from 2pm-3pm

Contact:  Melissa Rowland  513.317.7019    [email protected]

Please email Melissa for exact room location

HOLMES COUNTY

Brain Injury Support Group of Holmes and Wayne Counties

2285 Benden Drive

Wooster, Ohio  44691

Second Tuesday of each month, from 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Contact:  Pamela Denise Tolliver:  [email protected]

330.809.8095 or James Foley at [email protected]  330.264.9029  ext. 1173

This group is for survivors only. 

LICKING COUNTY

The Newark Ohio TBI Support Group

When: Group is meeting informally at the moment.  If you are interested, please contact  Lisa Diller: 740.405.4103

Pataskala Headbangers Support Group

When: The Group Meets Quarterly

Where: Matt Parker’s Home – Pataskala, Ohio 

Call for exact address and meeting times

Facilitated by Effie Parker 740.927.7138

LOGAN COUNTY

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group of Logan County

Mary Rutan Hospital, cafeteria conference room

205 Pamer Road

Bellefontaine OH  43311

Fourth Monday of each month, from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Contact:  Becky Weber:  937.441.1895

LUCAS COUNTY

Greater Toledo Brain Injury

Ability Center of Toledo Ohio

5605 W. Monroe St.

Sylvania, Ohio 43560

Meets the second Tuesday of each month, from  6:30pm – 8:25pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center

Shopping Center on:

7430 W. Central Ave., Suite C

Toledo, Ohio 43617

Center is open Monday through Thursday each week.

Daily Hours 10:00am – 4:00pm

Programs: Speech and Memory Group – Meets twice weekly.

Occupational Therapy – Meets twice weekly

Programs for Nutrition and Inspirational support – continuous Special events.

Contacts: Jackie and Michael Moore, Founders

Special group of volunteers always present.  Center – 419.214.0555.  For more information and schedule of activities see website:  tbirc.org

MEDINA COUNTY

Medina Group

Meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month (except December)

4:30pm – 6:00pm

Contact Pam Hunt, Medina County Board of DD,  330.725.7751, ext. 261 or

[email protected] for locations and upcoming events.

This group is for survivors and caregivers, and the location is announced monthly.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Brain Injury & Stroke support Group

Opportunity Center, First Floor

907 W. Fifth Street

Dayton, OH  45402

Third Tuesday of every month (no December meeting), from 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Call ahead to confirm dates and times

Contact:  Melody Burba  937.341.5202, Ext. 1006 or [email protected]

Brain Injury support Group

Kettering Health: Main Campus

3535 Southern Blvd

Kettering, OH 45429

The fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00-7:00pm

Nelson rooms 3-4 (on ground floor near cafeteria)

Contact: [email protected]

Brain Injury support Group

Kettering Health: Hamilton Outpatient Therapy Clinic

1010 Cereal Ave

Hamilton, OH

The first Tuesday of each month from 6:00pm-7:00pm

Contact: [email protected]

Stroke Survivor support Club

Kettering Health: Main Campus

3535 Southern Blvd

Kettering, OH 45429

The fourth Wednesday of the month 6:00pm-7:30pm

Contact: [email protected]

MUSKINGHAM COUNTY

Zanesville Ohio BI Support Group

Genesis Hospital

2951 Maple Ave.

Zanesville, Ohio 43701

Enter the Main Door proceed to first elevator:

Go to the basement, door will open across from meeting room.

The third Monday of each month, at 6:00pm

Facilitated by Katie Garret   740.454.4339

SUMMIT COUNTY

Cr3ative Expressions

Summa Rehab Hospital

29 North Adams Street

Akron, OH  44304

Second Thursday of every month, at 6:00pm

Contact:  email [email protected] or their Facebook page:

Cr3ative Expressions Brain Injury Support Group

Group is for survivors, caregivers, and family members

Heads Up No Boundaries – Survivors and Caregivers

Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital, Edwin Shaw

4389 Medina Road, Copley, OH  44321

Second Wednesday of every month, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Contact:  Christine Bailey at   234.815.5100  [email protected]

New Beginnings

Copley Place

528 Rothrock Road

Copley, OH  44321

Third Friday of each month, from 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Contact:  Dale Fortune  330. 865.4634 or [email protected]

This group has a Facebook page:  New Beginnings Akron TBI Survivors

Wives’ Support Group

Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital, Edwin Shaw (multipurpose room)

4389 Medina Road, Copley, OH  44321

Every other Monday, at 6:00pm

Contact Dr. Frye’s office at 330.836.6825 for information

This meeting is for women whose husbands have experienced a brain injury

WAYNE COUNTY

Brain Injury Support Group of Holmes and Wayne Counties

Meeting at the Wayne County Library in person

Second Tuesday of each month, from 10:00am – 11:00am

Contact: Pamela Denise Tolliver, MSTE, BA, Founder/Co-Facilitator

(330) 809-7978 Pamela Denise Tolliver:  [email protected]

This group is for survivors only. 

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We develop control systems for both individual processes and combine them into various chains of interaction within your entire business.

We are professionally oriented in the structure of the grain business at various stages: from production to export.

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In the future, this allows us and our customers to change sequences at lower cost, connect new units – as a result, be able to adapt the IT solution to the requirements of the time.

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What is a community center and why is it needed in Tbilisi. Interview with Anya Sarang, President of the Andrey Rylkov Foundation

Community Center in Tbilisi (ARF)

Mental health

FAR is setting up a community center in Tbilisi to provide psychological assistance to Russian-speaking emigrants.

On June 18, a presentation of the community center of the Andrey Rylkov Foundation* took place in Tbilisi. It will provide psychological assistance to forced migrants and everyone whose mental health has suffered in connection with the war. Reshim Team. provided media support to the project, and also talked with the president of the foundation and human rights activist Anya Sarang. Below is her monologue based on our conversation.

We started to study the situation among political and other forced migrants in Tbilisi already last year

It was clear that many of those who moved had a lot of trauma and pain associated with political oppression, the inability to live at home, forced separation from loved ones, and help was practically unavailable. After the start of the war, several people from our team moved to Tbilisi, along with a large part of our community, and we decided that based on our experience, we could try to do something useful in the new difficult conditions for everyone.

It is problematic for Russian-speaking people to find a local specialist, mostly psychologists and psychiatrists conduct appointments only in Georgian. The health care system of any country would not be ready for such a sharp influx of migrants, and for poor Georgia, this is especially difficult, so assistance is often not available. We decided to make a community center to help people with mental health and harm reduction issues.

In Moscow we worked on harm reduction, worked on drug policy and helped the victims of the war on drugs

For the last two years we have been doing projects to help mental health. Our team started doing this during the lockdown in Moscow, when people’s mental state collapsed very badly. Especially those with addictions. We developed a pilot project, received a small amount of funding for it and were able to pay for the work of psychologists. Now we no longer have this money, but a good team has developed, these are rare specialists and specialists, primarily not drug-phobic. This is very important for us, because often people who use substances do not even tell their therapists about it, this is a big problem. Even if people do not have problems with psychoactive substances (PS), trust is very important, and for people with problems, access to such psychological support is the first thing they need.

Last year we developed a support algorithm for women survivors of violence, many of whom were addicts. This is one of the most vulnerable groups of people. When communicating with them, we suddenly saw a new huge layer of problems that we had not had the opportunity to deal with before. Many of them have been beaten all their lives: first by their parents, then by peers, then by partners and other people, and some even by their own children. We have seen the problem of addiction in a new light, and today we can no longer imagine a harm reduction program without psychological help. As renowned addiction doctor Gabor Mate says, “All addictions are attempts to suppress pain. So the real question about addictions is not where the addiction came from, but where the pain came from.”

We have many partner organizations in Tbilisi, we try to actively cooperate with them

We communicate a lot with our local colleagues and colleagues, we take into account their advice. We consult with them on various issues related to the activities of NGOs in Georgia. We try to understand the social context. I would like, of course, not to hide the fact that we are queer-friendly, that we would like to help sex workers, we would like to speak openly about our activities. We really hope that Georgian society will not become even more conservative.

In Georgia, we have many strong partner organizations, excellent specialists in their work. The other day we held a community meeting with a lawyer from the public movement “White Noise” in the office of an NGO that provides assistance to sex workers and members of the LGBT+ community.

A couple of months ago we had a consultation in the office of the organization, they do harm reduction at raves, they make safe space at events, they do PAS tests. At the consultation, we asked the people who gathered what problems they had and what they wanted to see in the community center. It immediately became clear that psychological support and group classes were most needed.

Photo from the archive of Ani

We also partner with international organizations to learn about best practices in similar environments. Since other surfactants are not very accessible to Russian-speaking people in Georgia, the substances are mostly very expensive and of low quality, many begin to use alcohol in combination with tranquilizers. Benzodiazepines and alcohol are some of the most “hard drugs” and problematic substances in terms of negative human effects, addictions, and harm reduction opportunities. This adds up to serious psychological problems associated with the war and forced migration. We know of several suicide attempts. At the same time, assistance even in critical situations is very limited – according to local laws, if people survive after such an attempt, they are punished with a fine of 500 lari (about $170).

Nevertheless, there is little experience of working in such situations in the world – usually during military conflicts, when it comes to physical survival, basic needs are in priority, and psychological help is relegated to the background. In our situation, it turns out that often the people themselves are intact, their houses are not destroyed, but they cannot live there. People need emergency help, but not for physical health, but for mental health.

We have everything you need to help – skills, team. The only thing missing is money0008

We have always worked with donor support, but now even those donors who have supported the AF for many years, such as US corporate donors, can no longer do so due to the political situation and the demands of their government. We will have to rethink financial strategies somehow. We have launched a fundraiser, but so far it’s not very good with crowdfunding either, we need 3,000 euros, and we have collected only 400 for today. So far, we only have money for an office, by the way, today we rented a room! There are three small rooms for individual consultations and one larger room for group sessions. For now, we have enough money to rent an office until September, but it is completely empty and the walls need to be repainted. If someone wants to help us make repairs, it would be very cool (laughs). Maybe someone has unnecessary building materials or furniture – we will gladly accept it. I want to do everything on my own, we will soon go to flea markets, we will look for old furniture and restore it.

We want the doors of the community center to always be open to all those in need, we will try to fill the program as much as possible: there will be individual sessions and group classes, workshops, body practices and many other activities. Already next week we are planning meetings of specialists with those who want to help. I would like the community center to become a safe space where you can sit quietly and relax or chat even outside of class.

The vision behind all our work is to equalize professional care

For example, in 2012, when we started the Street Lawyers project, we began to teach our social workers various legal skills. After that, they could conduct full-fledged consultations on certain issues, draw up papers and even represent people in court. About the same thing we want to do now with psychological skills: our specialists train volunteers who have an interest and inclination to engage in psychology, therapy and counseling other people. We jokingly call them “parapsychologists,” similar to how we called volunteers in the 2012 project paralegals. But, in essence, these are peer consultants who can help a person navigate their problems, map out improvements and support in trying to solve mental health problems. We also place great emphasis on community education, on transferring professional skills to people so that they can use them in everyday life – to carefully support themselves and their loved ones.

We are very glad that we have accumulated experience that makes it possible to offer people support

I really hope that thanks to the participation of our community (local and international), we will also be able to somehow solve the problem with funding.

We have already started the relief work. Today, you can get online services from us – individual consultations of peer consultants, psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists, as well as sign up for several online support groups, including for women who have experienced or are living in a situation of violence. Our specialists hold interesting streams where they talk about various mental health issues, for example, the next stream is June 23, 19:00 in Tbilisi will be devoted to depression, it will be led by a psychiatrist and psychotherapist from our center Oksana Ioannisyants.

Until we have a website, you can follow the announcements and updates of the Center on our instagram, and fill out a request for services or support the Center on our fundraising page on indigogo.

Photo from the presentation of the Center was provided by Denis Tverskoy.

*Community organization, platform for initiatives in the field of protecting the health and rights of people who use psychoactive substances, sex workers, women who have experienced violence.