David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Support groups: Share experiences about depression, other mental conditions
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Aug 14, 2007
Support groups can offer a good addition to professional treatment. Weigh pros and cons and learn how to find a healthy, helpful support group.
If you have depression or another mental health condition, joining a support group is often a valuable addition to professional treatment. Support groups can help you feel less alone, find new coping skills and motivate you to stick to treatment plans. They also can be a source of hope for recovery and a more enjoyable future.
Depression and mental health support groups abound. Choosing a support group can be challenging but ultimately rewarding. Here's a look at how support groups may help you and how to find one that suits your needs.
Understanding mental health support groups
A support group is a gathering of people who share a common condition or interest. Most mental health support groups focus on a specific condition, such as depression, substance abuse or eating disorders. Support groups are not the same as group psychotherapy sessions. Group therapy is a formal type of mental health treatment that brings together several people with similar conditions under the guidance of trained mental health providers.
Support groups, on the other hand, may be formed by a lay person with depression or another condition or by someone interested in it, such as a family member. In some cases, support groups may be formed by nonprofit organizations, mental health clinics or other groups, and they may be led by a facilitator or moderator.
Members of a support group share their personal journey with depression or other mental health conditions. They offer emotional comfort and moral support. And they may provide tips and advice based on their own experiences.
Support groups take place in a variety of formats, including:
Healthy support groups offer a variety of benefits, from the emotional to the practical. The benefits of support groups include:
Sizing up mental health support groups
Support groups come in many forms. Which one is best for you depends on your needs and wishes.
For instance, perhaps you prefer a structured, moderated group, where you're more likely to find organized discussions and educational information. A moderator or facilitator can help ensure that all participants have equal time and that discussions stay on track.
Ask these questions about a support group to help find one that's best for you:
Remember that even a support group you've come to cherish can change over time as participants come and go. Periodically evaluate the support group to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
Finding mental health support groups
You've decided which kind of support group characteristics sound most appealing to you. Now how do you actually find a support group to join?
First, ask your doctor, therapist or mental health provider for a support group suggestion. If their ideas don't pan out, other ways you can find a support group include:
Although support groups can offer many benefits, not all support groups are good for you. Some may not have your best interests at heart. Be wary of information you receive about treatment or medications if it doesn't come from medical professionals. Remember that some information discussed in a support group may not be entirely accurate. If you have depression, for instance, don't be tempted to stop taking antidepressants without consulting your doctor simply because you may hear about a "natural" product to take instead.
Here are some red flags that may indicate the support group isn't in your best interests:
Depression and mental health support groups have blossomed on the Internet. And they can be just as valuable as those that meet in person. But keep in mind that while the anonymity of the Internet can be appealing, it can also be unsafe.
For one thing, the people you're interacting with may not be truthful about who they are and what health conditions they have. Some people prey on vulnerable individuals they meet online. Others may pretend they have certain illnesses, when they don't, which can be an indication of Munchausen syndrome. Also, make sure you don't let extensive Internet use lead to isolation from your in-person social network. Be careful about revealing your full name, address or phone number to strangers online, as you could open yourself to exploitation or harm.
Be sure to talk openly with your doctor or mental health provider about your participation in support groups. Many doctors today see the benefits of support groups, even those that are online. Don't be afraid to have an honest discussion about the groups you belong to.
Helping yourself with mental health support groups
Support groups for depression and other mental health conditions can offer a valuable addition to your medical care ? not a substitute. They may teach you new coping skills and encourage you to follow through on treatment. They can also broaden your social horizons and make you feel less isolated. Although opening up to others can initially be difficult, you may get more out of a support group than you thought you could.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Aug 14, 2007
Support groups can offer a good addition to professional treatment. Weigh pros and cons and learn how to find a healthy, helpful support group.
If you have depression or another mental health condition, joining a support group is often a valuable addition to professional treatment. Support groups can help you feel less alone, find new coping skills and motivate you to stick to treatment plans. They also can be a source of hope for recovery and a more enjoyable future.
Depression and mental health support groups abound. Choosing a support group can be challenging but ultimately rewarding. Here's a look at how support groups may help you and how to find one that suits your needs.
Understanding mental health support groups
A support group is a gathering of people who share a common condition or interest. Most mental health support groups focus on a specific condition, such as depression, substance abuse or eating disorders. Support groups are not the same as group psychotherapy sessions. Group therapy is a formal type of mental health treatment that brings together several people with similar conditions under the guidance of trained mental health providers.
Support groups, on the other hand, may be formed by a lay person with depression or another condition or by someone interested in it, such as a family member. In some cases, support groups may be formed by nonprofit organizations, mental health clinics or other groups, and they may be led by a facilitator or moderator.
Members of a support group share their personal journey with depression or other mental health conditions. They offer emotional comfort and moral support. And they may provide tips and advice based on their own experiences.
Support groups take place in a variety of formats, including:
- In person
- On the Internet
- By telephone
Healthy support groups offer a variety of benefits, from the emotional to the practical. The benefits of support groups include:
- Making connections. Meeting others with depression or another mental health condition may make you feel less alone or isolated. A safe and welcoming environment, filled with compassion and understanding, can also reduce any stigma you may feel over having depression or another mental disorder.
- Improving your coping skills. Support groups offer the chance to draw on collective experiences. Others who have "been there" may have tips or advice about coping with your condition that hasn't occurred to you. Brainstorming with others may inspire even more ideas. For instance, swapping information about antidepressants can help you see how others handle side effects.
- Getting motivated. Support groups can encourage you to seek professional treatment if you haven't yet. They also may encourage you to take a more active role in your treatment or stick to your treatment plan when you feel like giving up. And they may help you tap into community resources, such as housing or transportation assistance.
- Finding hope. Sharing experiences and making connections can make you feel better about life in general. Seeing others make strides against depression or another mental illness may give you hope about your own future.
Sizing up mental health support groups
Support groups come in many forms. Which one is best for you depends on your needs and wishes.
For instance, perhaps you prefer a structured, moderated group, where you're more likely to find organized discussions and educational information. A moderator or facilitator can help ensure that all participants have equal time and that discussions stay on track.
Ask these questions about a support group to help find one that's best for you:
- Is it geared toward a specific condition?
- Is the location convenient for regular attendance?
- What is the meeting schedule?
- How long has the group existed?
- Is there a facilitator or moderator?
- What are the confidentiality guarantees?
- Does it have established ground rules?
- Is it sponsored by a reputable health care facility or organization?
- Does it avoid false promises of quick cures?
- Does it encourage you to continue your regular medical care and treatment?
- What is the mix of participants, such as gender and age?
- How many people usually attend?
- What is a typical meeting like?
- Does it charge reasonable fees, if any?
Remember that even a support group you've come to cherish can change over time as participants come and go. Periodically evaluate the support group to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
Finding mental health support groups
You've decided which kind of support group characteristics sound most appealing to you. Now how do you actually find a support group to join?
First, ask your doctor, therapist or mental health provider for a support group suggestion. If their ideas don't pan out, other ways you can find a support group include:
- Contacting a local, state or national mental health organization
- Asking your church, synagogue or other place of worship
- Looking in your phone book under mental health, counseling or similar topics
- Checking your newspaper for a listing of support resources
- Contacting community centers or libraries
- Getting recommendations from friends or family
- Searching the Internet
Although support groups can offer many benefits, not all support groups are good for you. Some may not have your best interests at heart. Be wary of information you receive about treatment or medications if it doesn't come from medical professionals. Remember that some information discussed in a support group may not be entirely accurate. If you have depression, for instance, don't be tempted to stop taking antidepressants without consulting your doctor simply because you may hear about a "natural" product to take instead.
Here are some red flags that may indicate the support group isn't in your best interests:
- You feel worse after joining the support group
- You feel pressure to try a certain kind of treatment
- Other members encourage you to stop traditional treatment
- Sessions are centered around complaining and negativity
- Members insist that you reveal private information
- It charges unreasonable fees
- It requires you to buy certain products it endorses
- It demands your allegiance to a cult-like leader
- A few people dominate the discussions
Depression and mental health support groups have blossomed on the Internet. And they can be just as valuable as those that meet in person. But keep in mind that while the anonymity of the Internet can be appealing, it can also be unsafe.
For one thing, the people you're interacting with may not be truthful about who they are and what health conditions they have. Some people prey on vulnerable individuals they meet online. Others may pretend they have certain illnesses, when they don't, which can be an indication of Munchausen syndrome. Also, make sure you don't let extensive Internet use lead to isolation from your in-person social network. Be careful about revealing your full name, address or phone number to strangers online, as you could open yourself to exploitation or harm.
Be sure to talk openly with your doctor or mental health provider about your participation in support groups. Many doctors today see the benefits of support groups, even those that are online. Don't be afraid to have an honest discussion about the groups you belong to.
Helping yourself with mental health support groups
Support groups for depression and other mental health conditions can offer a valuable addition to your medical care ? not a substitute. They may teach you new coping skills and encourage you to follow through on treatment. They can also broaden your social horizons and make you feel less isolated. Although opening up to others can initially be difficult, you may get more out of a support group than you thought you could.
