Mood disorder support group president gives people hope Delores Clausen (photo by H. Marc Larson). By Brett W. Meach News-Chronicle Deloris Clausen helps people who cannot always help themselves. Her cause: To give support, hope and information for those suffering from depressive and other mental illnesses. As the president of the Mood Disorder Support Group, Clausen sees all kinds and ages, whether suffering from dementia, bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder or other forms of mental problems that, without medication and therapy, can lead to death. "We call it a brain problem now," Clause said. "There is such a stigmatism when people say mental illness." During the Tuesday night sessions, Clausen has devised a wagon-wheel group setting, in which group members sit in a circle and share their thoughts and problems with the whole group. "We go around and if someone wants to talk about themselves or their problems they can, or if they don't feel comfortable if they are a newcomer, they can just listen," Clausen said. Since the session's popularity has increased, the wheel has evolved into box-like rotation to accommodate the participants. Clausen is not a sufferer of depression or any other mental illness. Rather, 16 years ago, Clausen joined the group in hopes of learning what bipolar meant so she could help her husband in his fight with the serious illness. "He knew how it felt to go into these episodes - high as a kite - but the higher they get, the harder they fall," said Clausen, who did not know what her husband dealt with until visiting the support group. The group has taken on a new meaning for Clausen now that her husband has entered a nursing home because she cannot care for him they way he needs. The group is now there for her as well. She has had no formal training in helping people with mental illnesses. Her purpose is simply to extend her hand and give people a chance to speak their mind and have an "out" within a group setting. Clausen does have some professional help. The Bellin Psychology Department offers therapists to the support group, and three members of the group, Phil, Tod and Tammy, have stepped up to take on more responsibility when the group splits into smaller groups. One of the biggest realizations Clausen has made in her years as president is that people cannot always get better on their own. "If people take their meds, they can do fine," Clausen said. "But some think they can do it alone, and they just can't." "I get a lot of satisfaction when I see that I've helped a lot of people," Clausen said. "I have people call me that say they are going to commit suicide, and I talk them out of it. "People have come back and given me hugs, and said thank you, and that feels good." - The Mood Disorder Support Group, which is affiliated with the National Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m., in Melania Hall, 1825 Riverside Drive. To join, or for more information, call Deloris Clausen at 833-6324. Family members and significant others are welcome to attend. "Givers," a weekly spotlight on the volunteers who make Northeast Wisconsin a special place to live, is a partnership of The Green Bay News-Chronicle and the Volunteer Center of Brown County. The center has more than 3,000 volunteer opportunities available through more than 150 community agencies. To learn more, call the center at 429-9445 or 1-800-865-8683 (1-800-VOLUNTEER).