| What is a Support Group? | | | | valuable elements of participating in a support group. |
| Support groups are groups of people who share a | | | | Coping skills: Group members share ideas for coping. |
| common condition or difficulty, such as medical | | | | Support groups offer the chance to draw on collective |
| conditions, grief, or substance abuse. Members of such | | | | experiences. Others who have "been there" may have |
| a group share their personal journey, comfort, support | | | | tips or advice about coping with your condition that |
| and advice based on their own experiences. These | | | | hasn't occurred to you. Brainstorming with others may |
| groups are often run by nonprofit organizations, | | | | inspire even more ideas. For instance, swapping |
| hospitals, clinics or other established organizations. | | | | information about medications can help you see how |
| Support groups are different from therapy groups in | | | | others handle side effects. By learning how others |
| that they are not necessarily run by a licensed mental | | | | have coped with similar problems, and witnessing the |
| health professional. They are often member run and | | | | coping styles of others, members can improve their |
| organized, but some do invite a mental health | | | | own problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, groups can |
| professional to facilitate the group or to consult about | | | | offer members realistic feedback as they consider or |
| how to make it most helpful. | | | | try out new coping strategies. |
| Support groups do not focus on "group process" and | | | | Emotional release: Support groups offer people the |
| therefore are not meant to uncover or treat the | | | | opportunity to appropriately release powerful emotions |
| psychological or pathological dynamics of the | | | | you may otherwise keep to yourself. It is an |
| members. They are simply an opportunity to meat with | | | | opportunity for you to share your feelings, fears, and |
| an understanding group of people who have had | | | | concerns. Members who already have a highly |
| similar experiences. | | | | supportive network of family and friends can find that |
| When Should I Consider a Support Group? | | | | a group provides a place to continue to share feelings |
| These groups are especially helpful in the first few | | | | without overburdening their loved ones. A safe, |
| months of an illness or disability, as the reality of the | | | | non-judgmental environment enables participants to |
| situation begins to set in. This is when people tend to | | | | acknowledge and verbalize their feelings. |
| feel alone, overwhelmed, and may not know where to | | | | Emotional and psychological boost: Support groups can |
| turn for information. Such groups can also be very | | | | improve your mood and decrease anxiety and stress. |
| important to people with long lasting or chronic illness, | | | | Sharing experiences and making connections can |
| because the ongoing difficulties can otherwise wear | | | | make you feel better about life in general. Seeing |
| on a person's emotions, motivation and relationships. | | | | others making progress in coping with their illness may |
| What Are Some Benefits of Participating in a Support | | | | give you hope and optimism about your own future. |
| Groups? | | | | Also, your self-esteem will increase as you improve |
| Support groups offer a variety of benefits, from the | | | | your coping abilities and as you get a sense of |
| emotional to the practical. Some benefits include: | | | | perspective that comes from facing difficult life |
| Emotional connection and support: Sharing your honest | | | | challenges. Facing your challenges together as a group |
| feelings with a group of people with similar concerns | | | | can make it easier to achieve personal growth through |
| can help you to feel more emotionally connected and | | | | your struggles. |
| less alone, especially if you're feeling isolated from | | | | Motivation: An environment of positive reinforcement, |
| friends and family. A safe and welcoming environment, | | | | emotional support and hopefulness can encourage you |
| filled with compassion, reassurance and understanding, | | | | to take good care of yourself. Meeting with a group of |
| can also reduce any stigma you may feel over your | | | | understanding individuals on a regular basis can help |
| condition. Support group members often realize how | | | | you to feel motivated to follow through on goals. With |
| their experiences in the group have created a special | | | | encouragement from a support group, you may find it |
| bond and identity between group members. By sharing | | | | easier to take a more active role in your treatment, to |
| feelings, accomplishments, losses, and humor, members | | | | seek out more information, or to follow through on |
| can develop strong emotional ties to one another. | | | | your doctor's recommendations. |
| Participants sometimes form friendships that can | | | | Contributing: A support group is also a place to |
| continue beyond the support group. | | | | contribute, so that you might reach out to help others, |
| Understanding and shared experiences: It helps to | | | | and in so doing you might lift yourself up as well. |
| know you're not alone and to talk to others who have | | | | Contributing is a good way to increase your sense of |
| been through similar experiences. Hearing others' | | | | meaning and purpose in life, and to make use of all that |
| stories can be very validating and can help you to see | | | | you have learned on your journey through a difficult |
| that your reactions, struggles or feelings are not | | | | experience. At support groups you can hear about |
| "crazy." A support group can offer acceptance, and | | | | opportunities to participate in events that educate the |
| can appreciate you for who you are. It is often a relief | | | | larger community about your condition, or that support |
| and reassuring to find others with the same illness and | | | | research efforts. |
| understand what you are going through. | | | | You may be nervous about sharing personal issues |
| Exchange of useful information: A group can provide | | | | with people you don't know. So at first, you may |
| and share information about the issue that the group | | | | benefit from a support group simply by listening. Over |
| focuses on, whether it is community resources, | | | | time, though, contributing your own ideas and |
| medical information, treatment developments, or | | | | experiences can help you get more out of a support |
| related community events. People involved often say | | | | group. |
| this exchange of information is one of the most | | | | |