About the New Beginnings Support Group

 

In 1987 Irene O'Neil was looking for a support group to help her deal with her Bipolar disorder. There was not one in this area at that time. Irene, with help of the New Jersey Self-Help Clearing House, started this self-help support group that was later named The New Beginnings Support Group.

 

Initially, the group met monthly in Blackwood, Irene's home town. When the group decided to meet more frequently we relocated to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Magnolia, New Jersey, that same year. The relocation offered us the opportunity to meet weekly with several groups for those with a mood disorder, and a separate group for support family & friends.

 

We became a chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Alliance in 2005, not only for the added outreach but also the extra support that organization gives our members. The New Jersey Self-Help Clearing House continues to be important to us by providing resources, training of peer facilitators, and exposure for the group.

 

New Beginnings will always endeavor to maintain the same caring, protective environment the group has had since its inception.

 

We lost Irene to cancer in 1991, but we all owe a debt of gratitude to her.  Due to Irene's efforts the group has run continuously for almost 20 years.

 

After that, Gary was the senior member of our group and our group leader for 15 years.  His continuing efforts to keep everything running smoothly and also to enhance the group whenever possible were indispensable.  We lost him this January, 2007 to a heart attack.

 

Doug is now our group leader and we all work hard to keep the groups thriving to honor Irene's and Gary's memory.