The purpose of this study to evaluate peer-led mutual help organizations (MHOs) that target individuals with psychiatric diagnoses such as mood disorders, and provide evidence either supporting the expansion of such groups and the development and testing of clinical procedures, or point toward reevaluation and development of alternative low-cost, community based approaches to promoting recovery among individuals suffering from these disorders.

Participants will include up to 200 participants from The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) for Aim 1. Aim 1 will measure characteristics of current DBSA members through cross-sectional surveys of demographics, clinical use history, and involvement in DBSA. 60 new DBSA members who began attending in the past month will be enrolled for Aim 2. Aim 3 will consist of 100 matched controls of people who have never attended a DBSA meeting. Assessments will be completed at McLean Hospital, in which a study staff member will thoroughly explain the study to participants. If participants are eligible for Aim 2, study staff will receive written consent from the participant.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aim 1:
• 18 years of age or older
• Self-report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder
• Attend DBSA meetings
• Aim 2:
• 18 years of age or older
• Self-report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder
• Have attended their first meeting in the past month
• Aim 3:
• 18 years of age or older
• Self-report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder
• Have never attended a DBSA meeting

Exclusion Criteria:

• Aim 1:
• Do not report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder
• Have not attended a DBSA meeting
• Aim 2:
• Do not report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder
• Have not attended a DBSA meeting
• Have attended their first meeting prior to a month before their assessment
• Aim 3:
• Do not report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder
• Have attended a DBSA meeting

We will recruit participants from a large DBSA chapter at McLean Hospital. Subjects will be recruited at the beginning of the weekly meetings, through flyers, the DBSA website, and word of mouth. 200 current DBSA members and 60 new DBSA members will be assessed for Aims 1 and 2, respectively. 100 people who have never attended a DBSA will be assessed for Aim 3 and will be recruited from MGH and McLean Hospitals through the use of flyers, clinic announcements, and via our online clinical and research infrastructures. Participants in all Aims must be 18 years or older and self-report a diagnosis of any type of mood disorder. For Aims 1 and 2, participants must have attended at least one DBSA meeting.