A new support group launching this month in Tompkins County will offer male survivors of childhood sexual abuse a safe and confidential space to connect, heal, and be heard.
The Male Survivor Support Group, hosted by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County (MHATC), will meet on three consecutive Mondays — November 17, November 24, and December 1 — from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at MHATC’s office located at 511 W. Seneca Street in Ithaca.
The group was created in response to last week’s powerful healing event led by internationally recognized author and therapist Mike Lew, M.Ed., which brought together male survivors for workshops and shared support. The new group is aimed at continuing that sense of community and hope.
“This group is our way of responding to that need and keeping the momentum going,” said Josephine Gibson, CEO of MHATC. “The Mike Lew workshop was an incredibly powerful event that underscored the importance of community-based, peer-supported recovery spaces for men affected by childhood sexual abuse.”
The free, three-session group is open to adult, non-offending male survivors and will be facilitated by trained peers — men with lived experience who understand the trauma and the path toward healing.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Share experiences in a safe, non-judgmental setting
- Learn and practice self-care tools
- Build a stronger sense of connection with others who’ve faced similar challenges
Registration is required. Those interested in joining the group can contact Mike at [email protected] or 607-592-8437.
More information about the Mental Health Association’s programs and events is available at www.mhaedu.org.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].