Support Groups

Support groups can be important resource for increasing the positive social support in your life. They can help you to make connections, improve coping and social skills, and find hope. It is often helpful to attend a support group about six times before deciding whether it is a good fit for you.

Spotting red flags in support groups

The following are signs that the support group you have joined might not be right for you.

• If you feel any pressure to start or stop any kind of treatment or to disclose anything about yourself.
• If you feel worse after attending or session are marked by complaining and negativity.
• If a small group of people dominate this discussion.

Support groups that meet in person

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (Website offers some incorrect information about depression being a 'disorder', but the groups are peer-led.)
• Co-dependents Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Adult Children of Alcoholics (For people whose parents' drinking affected them)
• Overeaters Anonymous

Support groups that meet online or over the phone

• A Bipolar and Depression support forum. (Peer-led online forum)
• Broken Smiles. (Supportive message board)
• Depression Forums. (Kind of a lot of ads, but a large and supportive member base)
• Depression Tribe.
• Healthy Place. (Online communities for people with a wide range of symptoms)
• Male Depression. (Depression forum and chats for men)
• My Depression Connection.
• Psych Central's Depression Support Group. (Moderated peer forum)
• Recover Your Life. (Forums and chat rooms for people who self-harm or have eating disorders.)

This site is maintained by Tim Desmond, MFTI 51287
copyright © 2007 Tim Desmond, MA. Last updated 31Jul2008.
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