People with traumatic brain injury suffer a variety of challenges depending on the degree and extent of their injury. Dealing with TBI is challenging for both the patient and his or her family, but sharing your experiences with people who have had similar experiences can help. TBI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends and learn more about TBI.

Different TBI support groups have different focuses, so check out several, if possible, to see which one best meets your needs. Some TBI support groups emphasize learning about TBI, while others emphasize offering adaptive recreational opportunities for TBI patients. Some groups have meetings for patients and separate meetings for caregivers and family members, while others invite any one interested in TBI to the same meeting. There a few groups solely for people with mild TBI.

We have tried to make the following list of TBI support groups in Arizona as complete as possible. Since support groups change or disband without warning we advise you to call before traveling to the group’s meeting place for the first time. If you cannot find a group in your area, you may wish to start one. Information about starting your own TBI support group can be can be obtained from the Brain Injury Association of Arizona: http://www.biaaz.org/info/youhelp/supportgroups.asp

Glendale

VOICE Support Group

The goal of VOICE is to give people with disabilities an opportunity to voice their opinions as consumers and citizens. The group is open to people with any disability, as well as their families, caregivers; medical professionals and social workers are also welcome. Meetings are currently held on the second Tuesday of the month, from 2 to 4:00 p.m.

VOICE Meetings
Glendale Main Library
5959 W Brown St Glendale, AZ

Contact:

Clayton Guffey, 602-789-9129 ext. 207
Email: voice@azdes.gov
www.voice-az.com

Phoenix

TBI Support Group for the Spanish Speaking (Grupo del apoyo en Español)

This group meets on the second Saturday of each month. Call for time and more details.

Meeting place:

Gentiva Rehab w/o Walls
7227 N 16th St., #107
Phoenix, Arizona

Contact:

Diane White 602-943-1012

TBI Caregivers Support Group

This group for the caregivers of TBI patients meets at the Central Adult Day Center. Call for more details.

Meeting place:
Central Adult Day Center
3118 N. 7th Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona
Contact:
Lois van Halle 602-672-9234

TBI Survivor Support Group

This group meets on the second Monday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meeting time and place is subject to change. Special events may take the place of the meeting during June, July, and August. Call for details.

Meeting place:

St. Joseph's Hospital, Dining Rooms a & B (adjacent to cafeteria)
350 W. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, Arizona

Contact:

Carolyn Mitchell, Social Services, 602-406-3333 on Monday's and Tuesday's

Mild Head Injury Survivor Group (Brainstorm Brain Injury Group)

This group is dedicated to offering support to survivors of mild traumatic brain injury and their families. Anyone wanting to learn more about mild TBI is also welcome. The group meets twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays. Arrive by 5:30 p.m. to socialize; the meeting is held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Meeting place:

Westwind Academy Charter School
2045 W. Northern Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona

Contact:

Laura Kuhn, 602-403-9998

Mild Brain Injury Support Group

This group for survivors with mild brain injury meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Call for more details.

Meeting place:

AZ Institute for Communication & Cognitive Disorders
4545 N. 36th St., Suite 125A
Phoenix, Arizona 85018

Contact:

Mary Jane Trunzo, 602-224-0202 mjtrunzo@mindspring.com

TBIG Activity Group
Traumatic Brain Injury Group – Sponsored by the City of Phoenix

This group, sponsored by the City of Phoenix offers weekly recreational activities for TBI survivors. The group meets each Tuesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Meeting place:

Devonshire Senior Center
2802 E. Devonshire Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona

Contact: Liz Curran
602-256-3133

Prescott

Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury

This group for TBI survivors and their families meets on the last Thursday of the month from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Childcare is provided. Additional meetings are sometimes held.

Meeting place:

Southwest Artist Guild
228 N. Alarcon
Prescott, Arizona

Contact:

Jack Suderman 928-772-2985

Scottsdale

COMPASS Support Group

This group is for people with any type of physical disability. It meets on the third Friday of the month from 2 to 4:00 p.m.

Meeting place:
Scottsdale Senior Center,
7375 E. 2nd St., Bldg. 2, Rm. 5
Scottsdale, Arizona
Contact:
Randy Werner 602-439-0121

Carondelet Mild Brain Injury Support Group

This group for people with mild brain injury meets every month except July. Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Meeting place:

St. Joseph's Hospital, 4th Floor
Rehab Conference Room
350 N. Wilmot, next to Eye Center
Tucson, Arizona

Contact:

Karen Edman, 520-873-3881

Tucson Brain Injury Advocacy Panel

This group, which advocates for the brain injured, meets every Monday at 10:30 a.m. Call for details.

Contact:

Meira Yaer, RN, MA, 520-825-0896

Yuma

Yuma TBI Support Group

This group meets on the last Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting place:

Yuma Rehab Hospital
Quechan Room
Yuma, Arizona

Contact:

Danielle Puentedura, 928-726-7466