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Support groups: Share experiences about depression, other mental conditions

Support groups can offer a good addition to professional treatment. Weigh pros and cons and learn how to find a healthy, helpful support group.

By Mayo Clinic staff

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

Benefits of mental health support groups

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.

You may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you don't know. So at first, you may reap benefits from a support group simply by listening. Over time, though, contributing your own ideas and experiences can help you get more out of a support group.

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?

Plan to attend a few support group meetings to see how you fit in. If the support group makes you uncomfortable or you don't find it useful, try another one.

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.

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MH00044

Aug. 14, 2007

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