Mood Disorders Support Group of New York (MDSG-NY)
The Mood Disorders Support Group of New York (MDSG-NY) is a peer-run nonprofit that has served people living with mood disorders and the people who love them since 1981. A chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), MDSG-NY currently runs more than 40 free online support groups every month — covering bipolar I, II, and cyclothymia; unipolar depression; mood disorders in BIPOC communities; the under-30 experience; LGBTQ+ identity; mixed-diagnosis groups; and friends and family of people with mood disorders.
What to Expect
Every MDSG-NY group is led by a trained peer facilitator who has lived through their own mood disorder. Meetings are confidential and structured around mutual sharing — members take turns talking about what’s going on for them, and the group listens without interrupting, advising, or trying to fix. Facilitators hold time, gently keep the conversation grounded, and remind members of group guidelines so newcomers can settle in safely. Groups meet over video, typically lasting around 90 minutes, and the mix of regulars and new attendees creates a culture where being honest about a hard week is the norm rather than the exception.
Who This Group Is For
MDSG-NY is for adults navigating any mood disorder — whether you’re newly diagnosed, suspect you might be, or have been managing your condition for years. There are dedicated tracks for different identities and life stages, so members can choose a space where their full experience is reflected: the BIPOC group, the Queer Moods group, the GenYZers group for people under 30, the Friends and Family group for caregivers, and topic-focused conversations that rotate weekly. Members work alongside their own psychiatrists and therapists rather than instead of them.
Why Peer Support Works
Mood disorders are isolating in a particular way — the symptoms themselves often convince people that no one would understand, that they’re a burden, or that the way they feel is permanent. Sitting in a meeting with other people who have ridden the same wave and come out the other side is, for many members, the first time they’ve believed recovery is possible for them too. The MDSG-NY community has logged more than 25,000 cumulative participants over four decades for that reason.
How to Join
All MDSG-NY support groups are free. New members register at mdsg.org/join-our-support-group and attend a mandatory Newcomers orientation group before joining ongoing meetings — this short session covers group culture, guidelines, and how to choose the right track. From there, members can attend any of the scheduled groups by viewing the current calendar on the site. Questions can be sent to info@mdsg.org. While most meetings are virtual, MDSG-NY occasionally hosts in-person events and community gatherings as well.