Support Groups
Start a Support Group | Register Your Group | Rebate | Events | More Support
If you are looking for a support group in your area, the Fibromyalgia Network is here to help. We maintain listings for groups in all 50 United States and Canada. Support group members can offer encouragement, an understanding ear, friendly advice, and education. At meetings, fibromyalgia patients can share their experiences without fear of being judged or criticized. Group leaders offer patients and families an opportunity to discuss common concerns, share successes, and benefit from the experiences of others. Patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or other chronic pain conditions often say they feel isolated or alone with their illness. Being a member of a group or simply contacting a group leader can help patients reduce these feelings of isolation
Spouses or other family members are often welcome to attend these gatherings to help understand how they, too, can provide a beneficial support foundation at home.
Local support groups offer their own individual format. In addition to friendly gatherings, groups may host speakers to discuss the latest in therapies and treatments, or offer a professional’s point of view in managing life-altering chronic illnesses. Our listings also include groups that provide phone support only.
Anyone can obtain support group information in their state by sending a business-sized, self-addressed, first-class stamped envelope to:
Fibromyalgia Network
P.O. Box 31750
Tucson, AZ 85751
Request a support group listing for connections in your state today.
Why Our Support Groups Are Not Online
The Fibromyalgia Network does not offer listings or contact information on support group leaders online to avoid misuse, solicitation, or contact by unscrupulous or unethical entities seeking to promote their own gain. This list is provided as patient support for reference only. The use of these lists for marketing, advertising, or any other promotional purposes is prohibited.
Start a Support Group
Forming a support group in your area could be your best medicine.
Not only does the involvement and activity serve an important purpose of bringing people together to share common issues, successes, and experiences, but also it provides group leaders a sense of fulfillment and connectedness. The Fibromyalgia Network offers free resources and support to anyone interested in starting a local support group.
The Support Group Leader Starter Kit is a 40-page packet that contains information on getting started, working together, tips on keeping the group going, understanding challenges you may face, self-help coping articles, advocacy and research, and links to other useful websites.
The Support Group Leader Starter Kit is available in PDF format and can be downloaded right now free of charge.
If you prefer to receive the kit by mail, please send us a 9" x 12" self-addressed envelope with $4.95 postage affixed. Don't forget to tell us that you are requesting the Support Group Leader Starter Kit.
If you are interested in starting a support group or know of one in your area, e-mail groups@fmnetnews.com with your questions or comments.
Register or Update Your Support Group
New leaders are asked to fill out and submit the "Online Support Group Questionnaire" that gives us permission to include your group on our state referral list. There is no cost to register your group.
If you prefer, you can download and print the "Support Group Questionnaire" and mail it back to us.
If your support group has retired or leaders have changed positions, please resubmit your Support Group Questionnaire. Fill out all the information and note the specific changes in the comments section, (e.g., Mary Shivey is taking over as group leader for Barbara Baker, or, the FM Pain Group has temporarily retired until further notice).
Support Group Rebate
The Fibromyalgia Network understands the constraints of running a support group and offers a rebate program to help groups in the United States with the little incidentals that cost you a few dollars here and there. When members of your group join the Fibromyalgia Network for one year or renew a current Membership for two years, your support group will receive a $5 rebate in the form of a check to spend as you see fit.
Please download your Support Your Support Group rebate form and mail it back to us for your group’s rebate. If you have not yet registered your group with the Fibromyalgia Network, see the Register Your Support Group information above.
Submit Your Fibromyalgia-Related Events
If your group is planning any special lectures or workshops, we encourage you to submit your activities to our Events page. The page is divided into three event categories: 1) patient-related, 2) research-related, and 3) awareness-related. Fibromyalgia Network maintains this page as a free service to the community.
There is no charge to have your event publicized on this site. However, we cannot guarantee that every event submitted will be posted. If you are planning any exceptional activities on the horizon (e.g., a full day event), please submit your event.
Fibromyalgia Network Support
The Fibromyalgia Network is a patient-focused, Member-supported organization serving patients, their families, and physicians for more than 20 years. We are a family of patients united together to help each person achieve the quality of care that they deserve. Call us toll-free weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the U.S. and Canada at (800) 853-2929 or (520) 290-5508 from everywhere else. Members are welcome to voice concerns, ask about resources, or talk to someone who understands fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients should always consult their physician for medical advice and treatment.
Fibromyalgia Network's educational materials remain unbiased, ad-free, and devoid of bogus therapies and unfounded "cures" that trivialize your condition. Join the Fibromyalgia Network to learn the latest in research, treatment, and coping news.
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