Support Groups

Make connections, get support

If you’re facing a stressful life challenge, you don’t have to go it alone. A support group can help. Find out how to choose the right one. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences.

For example, similar experiences may be based on one of the following: 

• Addiction 

• Sexual orientation,  

• Gay or bi Spouse or partner in straight relationship 

• Men’s group 

• Bereavement support group  

• Relationship ending 

These are just a few of the groups available. If you have a particular area of interest or concern, please contact for more information. 

A support group provides an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about emotional issues or treatments. Family and friends may not understand the impact of what you are going through and may not provide adequate emotional support.

Structure of Support Groups

:Ideally, support groups meet face to face on a regular basis at a particular time; however, teleconference groups have become very popular as of late. The groups are usually led by a licensed mental health care provider.  Support groups are not the same as group therapy sessions. 

Benefits and Risks of Support Groups: 

. Benefits of participating in a support group may include: 

• Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged 

• Reducing depression and anxiety.  

• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings 

• Improving skills to cope with challenges 

• Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope 

• Getting practical feedback.  

• Learning about added resources outside of group. 

Possible Risks: 

Support groups may have drawbacks, and effective groups generally depend on the facilitator to help steer away from these problems. These problems may include: 

• Disruptive group members 

• Conversation dominated by griping 

• Lack of confidentiality 

• Emotional entanglement, group tension or interpersonal conflicts 

 Questions to ask before joining a support group:

• Does the group meet for a set period of time or does it continue indefinitely? 

• Where, at what times and how often  does the group meet?  

• Is there a facilitator or moderator and has he or she undergone training? 

• Is a mental health expert involved with the group? 

• What are the guidelines for confidentiality? 

• Are there established ground rules for group participation? 

• What is a typical meeting like? 

• Is it free, and if not, what are the fees? 

Getting the most out of a support group: 

When you join a new support group, you may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you don’t know. At first, you may benefit from simply listening. Over time, however, contributing your own ideas and experiences may help you get more out of a support group. 

More about Support Groups