Depression Support Journal

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

September 23, 2005