Support Groups in Panama City

Support groups and meetings for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) following the 12 Steps program, drug aid, cancer support meetings, AIDS and more. See this page for contact information...

Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholics Anonymous Panama: Support group for alcohol addicts in Panama City. There are regular meetings in English.

Al-Anon / Alateen meetings for families and friends of alcoholics are also held in Panama.

Alcoholics Anonymous for Gay Men/Women is a division of AA in Panama City that provides meetings specifically for gay men and women.

LGBT Support

The Unión de la Diversidad is an LGBTI group in Panama aiming to improve human rights and reduce discrimination. A weekly support group takes place where people can share life experiences. To join the group send an email.

The Asociación de Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panamá (AHMNP) is a Spanish-speaking group with information on counseling and political issues affecting the gay community.

Drug Abuse

The following centers provide a number of government-funded programs to help drug addicts and their families:

  • Centro de Salud de Parque Lefevre (Health Center Parque Lefevre)
  • Hospital Nicolás A. Solano in La Chorrera
  • La Región de Salud de Chiriquí
  • Hospital Psiquiátrico Nacional (National Psychiatric Hospital)

The High Court for Children and Adolescence (Tribunal Superior de Niñez y Adolescencia) provides orientation activities for teens drug abuse problems and refers children with drug problems to government centers or NGOs for care.

Teen Challenge Panama (La fundación Teen Challenge) is a Christian organization with the aim of keeping teenagers off drugs. It is based at 10 locations in Panama and also helps adults with drug addiction and other social problems.

Hogares CREA has drug treatment centers for both men and women in the provinces of Panama, Veraguas and Cocle.

The Panamanian White Cross (La Cruz Blanca Panameña) is a non-profit organization providing services to the community. The focus of the Panamanian chapter is to prevent and treat drug abuse in youths and young adults.

Fundación Educativa Médica Antidroga (FEMA) has an outpatient treatment program for male and female patients.

AIDS/HIV Support

Aids for Aids is an organization providing support and help for AIDS patients. It offers care for children and youths, an emotional support program and support groups for women with HIV and AIDS.

Family Support

"Tu Línea" is a hotline to the Ministry of Social Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social - MIDES). The hotline provides general support to children, adolescents, men and women, people with disabilities, and the elderly. However the main purpose of the hotline is to report cases of child abuse, sexual abuse, labor exploitation and domestic violence and abuse.

  • MIDES
    Tel: 147 Monday to Friday from 06:00-18:00, Saturday 06:00-12:00

The Hope Foundation (Fundación Hope) aims to provide guidance, training and assistance to families and to reduce and prevent domestic violence. It also provides professional help and advice and temporary shelter to victims of domestic abuse.

Women's Support

Hogar Luisa Mc Grath aims to address teen pregnancy issues and prevents abortion. It has a group home for teenage mothers, provides shelter for mothers during their pregnancy and provides training in parenting and independent living. It also assists female victims of abuse, rape, incest or abandonment.

  • Hogar Luisa Mc Grath
    Tel: 215 1124

Centro de Apoyo a la Mujer Maltratada (CAMM) is a non-governmental support center for rehabilitation, information and help for victims of abuse. It offers assistance to families in crisis or suffering from child or family violence, as well as providing education and adoption services.

  • CAMM
    Tel    : 267 7757 
    email

Centro Pastoral de Mujeres Contra el Maltrato (CEPAM) is a non-governmental organization that provides support, security and counseling to female victims of abuse and violence. Services include education and training.

  • CEPAM
    Tel    : 262 6403

Cancer Support

Fundacion Amigos del niño con leucemia y cancer is a support group for children with cancer or leukemia and their families.

FUNDACÁNCER is a cancer support organization providing programs of support for children, youths, and adults who suffer from cancer.

Mental Health

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Panamá is a support group in Panama.

Depresion y Ansiedad Grupo de Apoyo Panama y Chiriquí Chiriquí is a self-help and mutual support group for people suffering from depression, anxiety, grief, stress, phobias, insomnia and low self-esteem.

  • Depresion y Ansiedad Grupo de Apoyo Panama y Chiriquí 
    Tel    : 6043 9936
    email

Newcomers Support

Who's New of Panama: A non-profit organization that welcomes newcomers to Panama. The group provides help in orientation, finding friends and promoting culture and community engagement among women. There are two meetings each month - a welcome coffee and general meeting.