Depression and other mental conditions: Support groups can help

If you have depression or another mental health condition, joining a support group can be 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 can also 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 support groups


A support group is a gathering of people who share a common condition or interest. Most mental health support groups focus on specific conditions, whether it's depression, substance abuse or eating disorders, for instance.

Members of the support group share their experiences and practical information about the way they've handled their own situation. They also offer emotional comfort and moral support.

Support groups may be formed by someone with depression or another condition or by someone interested in it, such as a family member. In some cases, they may be formed by nonprofit organizations, mental health clinics or other groups.

In-person support groups may meet in a variety of locations, such as in someone's home, in a church, in a community center or in a clinic. They can also meet electronically, with support shared over the Internet.

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 professionals.
Gaining benefit from support groups


Good support groups can 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 hadn't occurred to you. Brainstorming with others may inspire even more ideas. For instance, swapping information about antidepressants for depression 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. At first, you may reap benefits simply by listening. Over time, contributing your own ideas and experiences can help you get more out of a support group.
Evaluating 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.

Here are some questions to consider when evaluating a support group:
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 sessions to see how you fit in. If the 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 group to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
Finding support groups


You've decided which kind of support group characteristics sound most appealing to you. Now how do you actually find a group to join?

First, ask your doctor, therapist or mental health expert for a suggestion.

Other ways to 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
Spotting red flags in support groups


Despite all of their benefits, support groups have the potential to interfere with your medical treatment if you're not careful.

Don't abandon treatment with your regular doctor or mental health professional when you join a support group. Support groups are not meant to replace that treatment. They may, however, be a valuable supplement to professional care.

In addition, 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

Support groups for depression and mental illness 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 can be appealing, it can also be deceiving. The people you're interacting with may not be who they say they are. Also, make sure you don't let extensive Internet use lead to isolation from your in-person social network.

Be sure to talk openly with your doctor or mental health professional about your participation in support groups.
Helping yourself through support groups


Support groups for depression and other mental health conditions can offer a valuable addition to your medical care. 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.