What is it?
- Safe spaces for shared experiences and mutual support.
- Groups led by peers or professionals.
- Focus on specific issues like mental health or parenting.
- Provide emotional support, resources, and community connections.
Here's more detail
Description
A support group, is a group of people who are led by a professional and come together with a goal of overcoming or coping with a shared problem. With the leadership of the professional, they share help, comfort, encouragement, advice, and guidance to face their challenges together.
The leader of the group is generally someone who is not struggling with the problem faced by the members of the support group and is specifically trained to provide support to them. This is what sets a support group apart from a self-help group, which is a group that comes together to face challenges without a professional leader.
Types of support groups
In addition to the different challenges addressed in support groups, there are other differences among them. Support groups may differ in size, location and structure.
- Mutual or peer-led support groups
Mutual support groups are a type of support group where the members provide support to each other based on shared experiences or challenges. The focus is on individuals helping one another through their own experiences rather than receiving professional advice. Everyone in the group contributes to and benefits from the collective support.
In a peer-led group, the facilitators are themselves participants who share similar experiences or challenges. They might have received some training but are not professionals. The group is led by peers who have firsthand experience with the issues being discussed.
- 12-step self-help groups
12-step programs are designed for people dealing with addictions like alcohol, drugs, gambling, or sex. In these meetings, participants follow a 12-step process to help with their recovery, which was originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous.
Similar to mutual support groups, 12-step programs are led by peers, are free to join, and often have separate groups for the friends and family of those struggling with addiction.
- Online support groups
Online support groups, like online therapy, can be a great alternative to in-person meetings. They’re especially useful if you live too far away, lack transportation, or have a busy schedule that makes it hard to attend in person. They’re also handy for those with rare conditions who might not have many local peers.
However, there are some downsides to consider. It can be harder to read facial expressions and body language online, which might affect communication. The lack of face-to-face interaction might also make it tougher to build connections and show warmth. And just like with any online meeting, there’s always a chance of technical issues or distractions, which can be especially frustrating when someone is sharing something personal.
- Therapy groups
Unlike mutual or peer-led support groups and 12-step programs, mental health providers lead therapy groups. A professional therapist brings several people together who are living with similar conditions and provides treatment to them as a group.
Therapy groups are available for a wide variety of mental health conditions. You can read more about group therapy on this page.
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What issues can support groups help with?
Support groups can be beneficial for a wide range of mental health issues, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Eating Disorders
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Substance Use Disorders
Pros and cons of support groups
Support groups can be a valuable tool in supporting individuals with their mental health, but they may not be the most appropriate approach for everyone. It is important to talk with a mental health professional to determine if they’re the right fit for you.
- Pros
- Learn better coping strategies: Support groups can provide new ways to cope through tips and skills shared by others who have found success, including techniques like meditating, journaling, and setting healthy boundaries.
- Grow through shared experiences: Share your own experiences and gain insights from others about how they handle similar situations, which can help ease your emotional burden and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Focus on self-care: Receive innovative ideas for self-care, stress management, combating fatigue, and improving mental and physical strength from other participants.
- Maintain a sense of hope: Boost your mood and optimism by being around supportive peers, helping you to realistically envision a better future.
- Cons
Emotional Intensity: Sharing and hearing about others’ struggles can sometimes be emotionally overwhelming or triggering for participants.
Varied Group Dynamics: Group dynamics can vary widely; some groups may have members who dominate the conversation or who aren’t as supportive. The facilitator of the group should be able to support with challenging dynamics.
Lack of Professional Guidance: Support groups which are peer-led may lack professional oversight or specialised knowledge, which can limit the depth of advice and support offered.
Commitment Issues: Regular attendance is often required, which might be challenging for people with busy schedules or those who struggle with consistency.
Not a Replacement for Professional Help: Support groups can complement professional therapy but are not a substitute for specialised medical or psychological treatment.
Voice
Dealing with mental health issues can be emotionally taxing, and having a space where emotions can be expressed openly without judgment is invaluable. Support groups offer a safe environment for group members to share their feelings and connect with others who understand those feelings first-hand, providing emotional support that can be crucial for navigating the challenges of mental health conditions.
How can I access support groups?
How can I access support groups?
There are lots of ways to find support groups that might be helpful to the specific challenges you are currently facing.
Start by speaking to your GP who may be able to signpost you to groups in your area. Some peer support groups are run by the NHS. These may be at hospitals or organised by community mental health teams (CMHTs).
If you’re looking for a peer support group in your area, check out what’s listed on Hub of Hope.
Lots of charities run support groups, but it can be difficult to find the right one for you. You can:
- Use NCL Waiting Room’s Resource Library and search by issue or location.
- Ask at your local library or community centre
- Do an internet search to look for details of local groups
- Look for details of local groups on social media
- Contact Mind’s Infoline
- Take a look at Befriending Network’s list of befriending services in the UK
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