Support Groups

MaineGeneral Health and its community partners offer many groups to support individuals throughout the Kennebec Valley with medical or other issues.

If you are a support group coordinator and need updates made to the information below, please send changes to public@mainegeneral.org along with your phone number in case we need to speak with you.

If you have suggestions for non-commercial support groups or services to add to our list, please send the information and a contact name and phone number to public@mainegeneral.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Learn about the many meeting sites in the Augusta and Waterville areas by visiting Alcoholics Anonymous or calling toll-free (800) 737-6237.

Alzheimer's Association Family and Caregiver Support Groups

  • Gardiner: Meets the first Wednesday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m., Alzheimer's Care Center, Adult Day Services meeting room, 154 Dresden Avenue, Gardiner.

Amputee Support

The Aspired Amputees support group meets the second Wednesday of the month at noon in the Winthrop Town Office Conference Room, 17 Highland Avenue, Winthrop. During summer months, the group meets at Norcross Point.

Group leader Ann Lindholm is certified by and a member of the Amputee Coalition of America.

Call (207) 377-5787 or email aspiredamputees@gmail.com for more information. You also can visit the group's Facebook page to learn more.

Autism

The Autism Society of Maine (ASM) offers support for parents of children living with special needs. ASM provides support groups for adolescents and adults living with autism, as well as a parents' support group. Visit https://www.asmonline.org/Resources/Support-And-Social-Groups/, call 1-800-273-5200 or email info@asmonline.org.

Batterers Intervention

Menswork offers a Certified Batterers Intervention Program. These group education classes in Kennebec and Somerset counties are for men who have verbally, mentally or physically abused a woman in an intimate relationship.

Menswork's goal is to stop violence and promote individual accountability and respect.

For more information, please call (207) 623-7252.

Breast Cancer Support

The Breast Cancer Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Alfond Center for Health (ACH), 35 Medical Center Parkway, Augusta.

For more information, please call MaineGeneral's Breast Care Program at (207) 621-6162.

Breastfeeding Support

  • Augusta: This group meets twice a month at the ACH. Meetings are generally the first Tuesday and the third or fourth Thursday of each month, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The group meets in Classroom 3 (B2103) on the second floor. If you have any questions, please call (207) 248-5229.

Cancer Support

Breast Cancer

The Breast Cancer Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), 361 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta. Call MaineGeneral's Breast Care Program at (207) 621-6162 for more information.

Cancer

  • General Cancer: Meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 9-10:30 a.m. at the HACCC, Augusta. Pre-registration is required. Call Ruth Coffey, LCSW, at (207) 621-6120 to learn more.
  • Metastatic Cancer: Meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9-10:30 a.m. at the HACCC, Augusta. Call Ruth Coffey, LCSW, at (207) 621-6120 to learn more.
  • Prostate Cancer: A group focusing on prostate cancer information and support meets the last Tuesday of the month, 6-8 p.m., in the Prescott Room, HACCC, Augusta.

All who have been touched by prostate cancer are welcome, including men, spouses and loved ones. New attendees are always welcome.

For more information, please call (855) 552-7200, ext. 801 or email naleavitt@gmail.com. You also can learn more on the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer's web site.

Caregivers Support

  • Hallowell: This group meets the second Tuesday of the month, noon-1:30 p.m. at the Cohen Community Center, 22 Town Farm Road, Hallowell. You are invited to bring a lunch.
  • Waterville: This group meets the third Wednesday of the month, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold Street, Waterville. For more information, please call (800) 639-1553.

Family Violence Support Groups

  • Augusta: For more information, please call toll-free (877) 890-7788 or (207) 623-3569.
  • Skowhegan: For more information, please call (207) 474-8860.
  • Waterville: For more information, please call (207) 877-0835.

For a complete list of services, visit the Family Violence Project.

Food Addicts in Recovery

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a fellowship of men and women who have difficulties controlling the way they eat.

Participation in FA has proven to be an effective, long-term solution to food addiction for many people, whether they are undereaters, bulimics or otherwise food-obsessed.

There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins. To find a meeting close to you, visit www.foodaddicts.org.

Grief Support Groups and Services

Grief is a very personal experience and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

It is an expression of our love for those whom we care for deeply. Often those closest to us, in their own grief, cannot offer us the support and listening we need.

MaineGeneral Hospice Volunteers of Kennebec Valley provides compassionate peer support groups for people living in the greater Augusta area who have experienced the death of a loved one.

All support groups are free and open to community members.

We understand calling to join a group can be difficult. Our bereavement coordinator welcomes any questions. Please call (877) 561-7299 or (207) 248-0420 for more information, questions or to register.

  • General Loss Grief Support Group: A six-week group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one; offered throughout the year. Participants explore feelings of grief and loss in a safe, supportive peer setting.
  • Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group: An eight-week group offered to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide.
  • Child Loss Grief Support Group: A six-week group offered to adults who have experienced the death of a child of any age.
  • Healing Hearts, a Family Grief Support Program: A seven-week program held four times each year for families with children ages 3-17 grieving the death of a loved one. Children meet in age-appropriate groups to explore feelings and share memories through art, play and storytelling. Adults meet at the same time for support and information related to their children’s grief.

Other Bereavement Resources

Similar groups and programs are available for residents of the greater Waterville and Skowhegan communities.

If you live in the Waterville area, please call Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area at (207) 873-3615 or visit their website.

In Skowhegan, please call Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County at (207) 474-7775 or visit their website.

HIV & AIDS Peer Support Group (Team XYZ)

Team XYZ is a peer support group facilitated by our MaineGeneral Horizon Program therapist Will Liberty. Team XYZ is a safe, confidential space for Horizon Program patients to meet and support each other. The group is a resource to reduce isolation and foster friendship. Team XYZ meets once per month for two hours at MaineGeneral Horizon Program, 21 Enterprise Drive, Augusta. This group also is open to individuals who wish to attend via Zoom. If you plan to attend either in person or via Zoom, or would like more information, please call Will Liberty at (207) 248-0460.

KVCAP Healthy Families

Maine Families provides parenting support (prenatal to age 5) through a free home visiting program in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

The program also offers playgroups, organized family events, newsletters, developmental screening, goal planning, school groups for teens and a mail-only option.

For more information, please call (207) 859-8517 in Kennebec County; call (207) 474-8487 x2537 if you live in Somerset County.

Gastric Sleeve/Gastric Bypass Surgery Support

MaineGeneral Medical Center's (MGMC) Bariatric Center offers gastric sleeve and gastric bypass support groups for current and prospective patients and their family members.

Due to the nature of discussions, meetings are for adults only.

  • Augusta: This group meets twice per month at the Alfond Center for Health (ACH), 35 Medical Center Parkway, Augusta. Please call (800) 971-8150 for specific dates and times.
  • Waterville: This group meets the first Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the Thayer Center for Health (TCH), 149 North Street, Waterville. Please call (800) 971-8150 for specific dates and times.

Mental Illness Support

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Maine Chapter, provides support, education, referrals and advocacy for people who live with serious mental illness and their families. Please visit the NAMI Maine website for a current list of all of its support groups, with meeting and contact information for each of them. The NAMI Helpline (1-800-464-5767) also is available to provide support, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Military Support Group

Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area offers grief support for family and friends impacted by the death of a military family member or friend.

The group meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month at Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 304 Main Street, Waterville. Registration is recommended. For more information, please call (207) 873-3615.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support

The MS Support Group meets the last Wednesday of the month, 5-6 p.m., Winslow Public Library, Benton Avenue, Winslow. For more information, please call Maxine at (207) 441-2589.

Ostomy

The Ostomy Support Group is a confidential peer-led support group for people who have an ostomy and their family members or people who may be facing ostomy surgery. Meetings are held from 2-4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the following months: January, March, May, September and November. Meetings consist of group sharing discussions and qualified speakers discussing ostomy-related subjects. If you have any questions, please call MaineGeneral Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine at (207) 623-6510.

Meetings are held at the Thayer Center for Health, Dean Educational Building, 149 North Street, Waterville. Dean meeting rooms are handicapped accessible from the accessible parking lot outside the south entrance.

Parents of Children with Special Needs

  • GEAR Program: For more information, please call toll-free (800) 264-9224.
  • Maine Parent Federation: For more information, please call toll-free (800) 870-7746.
  • Learning Disabilities Association of Maine: For more information, please call (207) 861-7824.
  • The Children's Center in Augusta: For more information, please call (800) 894-6264 or (207) 626-3497, ext. 130 or visit their website.

Parkinson's Disease Support

The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets at 2 p.m. the second Sunday of the month (except January and February), at St. Mark's Church, 60 Eustis Parkway, Waterville. For more information, please call Cam Weaver at (207) 293-2667 or Debbie Roberge at 872-5446.

Postpartum Support Group

The Tree of HOPE (Healthy Outlook on Postpartum Experiences) Postpartum Support Group meets Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon and the last Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m. in the Medical Arts Building Conference Room, 180 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville.

Please contact Bridgette Gemelli at (207) 861-6091 or bgemelli@emhs.org to learn more.

Prostate Cancer Support

A group focusing on prostate cancer information and support meets the last Tuesday of the month, 6-8 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church UCC, 9 Church Street, Augusta.

All who have been touched by prostate cancer are welcome, including men, spouses and loved ones. New attendees are always welcome.

For more information, please call (855) 552-7200, ext. 801 or email info@mcfpc.org. You can also learn more on the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer's web site.

Pulmonary Hypertension Support

The Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group is for patients with pulmonary hypertension and their caregivers, family or friends.

The group meets the third Wednesday of the month, 1:30-3 p.m., in Dean 1, TCH, Waterville.

For more information, please call Jeanette Morrill at (207) 695-3042.

Quit Smoking Support Group

MaineGeneral's Prevention & Healthy Living offers Quit Smoking Support. Participants can expect:

  • Help to create a tobacco quit plan
  • Access to educational tools to help with quitting
  • Strategies for managing stress, triggers and relapse prevention
  • Ongoing support from a MaineGeneral Health Educator

To learn more, please call (207) 872-4102.

Sexual Assault Support

The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault operates a 24-hour toll-free statewide support line for victims of sexual violence and their families. To learn more, please call toll-free at (800) 871-7741.

STD/AIDS Hotline

This confidential hotline provides information and referrals for HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and hepatitis. For help and information, please call toll-free (800) 851-AIDS (2437).

Stroke & Brain Injury Support Group (Augusta)

This group meets every fourth Thursday of the month from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the temporary Maine State Library location at 242 State Street in Augusta. Please contact Lee Glynn at (207) 215-7064 for more information or connect on Facebook.

Substance Abuse Prevention Support

Programs for children and parents include:

  • Skills for adolescents
  • Bullying prevention
  • Anger management and resolving conflict
  • Parenting wisely
  • Substance abuse and tobacco use reduction programs

For more information, please call Cyndi Desrosiers at (207) 859-9840.

Suicide & Crisis Hotline

If you are in suicidal, emotional or family crisis, don't wait. Crisis counselors are waiting for your call.

Call the statewide referral number toll-free (888) 568-1112, or the national suicide prevention lifeline toll-free at (800) 273-TALK (8255).