Many Americans face loneliness. The pandemic has exacerbated the types of accessibility barriers conducive to self-isolation, and COVID-19 alone has dramatically accelerated the rate at which many experience mental health-related issues.
In these instances, it's essential to have the ability to find support throughout the community. Our perspectives usually improve when we feel understood. We examine support groups as an option to mitigate the effects of isolation.
What is a support group?
Support groups meet to reflect, share, and commiserate on various issues. The purpose of these groups is to create an empathetic and supportive environment for their members, which is accomplished through open dialogue, confidentiality, and supportive feedback.
Support groups cover a variety of issues:
- Men's and women's issues
- Substance abuse
- Grief
- Divorce
- Living with loss
Support groups can be organized in a variety of ways. It is typical for groups to be centered around a common issue.
An example of this might be a group for veterans who have recently developed a disability due to combat.
How do support groups work?
Support groups typically have one person in charge of running the meeting. The organizer might be someone who shares a commonality with the group. They can also be someone with experience as a counselor. The group leader will direct conversation and offer the floor to people who want to speak their minds.
Conversations are typically centered around members' experiences between meetings. Everything is valid to share, whether they are success stories or recounts of struggle. Other members are typically not advised to give advice but rather to offer perspective. Sometimes the best thing to hear is "hey, I've been there before," or, "that's great to hear, I'm proud of you."
No one should feel compelled to share if they don't want to. It's completely acceptable to listen to other group members and only share when you're ready.
Groups may meet once a week or once a month, and it depends on the preferences of group members. Regular attendance is also not required. Whether you come to each meeting, come as often as you can, or just come when you're in the wrong spot, it's all good.
Are support groups influential?
Support groups have had documented success in improving the mental health of their members. A study published by The University of Wollongong in 2018 analyzed the effectiveness of mental health support groups. Some groups consisted of patients, others consisted of caregivers, and others still consisted of individuals with family members who have a mental illness. The study found that support groups helped members overcome isolation, build social support networks, learn coping skills, and foster hope.
Where to find a support group?
Many community-based groups meet at hospitals or community centers like churches. Local advocacy organizations may also prove to be a suitable method for finding a group in your area.
Another option is to find an online support group. This is an excellent option for those with limited mobility or limited resources in their area.
A good resource for finding a support group is the organization, Beyond my Battle. Beyond my Battle is a network that curates free support groups for visitors.
To learn more about the importance of support groups, check Mayo's Support Group Resource page.
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