Mental Health Support Groups Can Improve Your Well-Being

If you’re feeling alone in your mental health struggles, a support group might be the answer. Read on to learn more about mental health support groups.

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Dealing with a mental health condition can feel super isolating. You might feel like you’re all alone in your struggles or that nobody truly understands what you’re going through. Therapy plays a major role in healing, but it might not fully address your feelings of isolation –– and that’s where support groups come in. 

Support groups offer a sense of camaraderie, community, validation, and more. Plus, you’re sure to find a support group that meets your needs, no matter your mental health diagnosis. Below, we explain the different types of support groups, the difference between support groups and group therapy, and the benefits of attending a support group.  

Introduction to mental health support groups

Support groups serve as safe spaces for people to come together and share stories of their hardships, progress, and victories. Countless support groups are available for people of different ages, walks of life, and struggles.

In a support group, individuals will take turns speaking and sharing whatever they’d like with the group. Other group members can provide validation, advice, sympathy, or even just a listening ear. You can share your own stories and listen to others, giving and receiving much-needed support. 

Based on your preferences, you can attend in-person or online support groups. Some groups meet weekly, while others meet less frequently. It depends on the specific group. Support groups may be peer-led or led by a professional — here’s the difference:

Peer-led groups

This means the group leader is a “lay person” or someone who isn’t a trained expert. “They’re facilitated by people who may have faced similar challenges themselves, but they aren’t necessarily licensed or certified,” says Shawnna Punteney, LPC, NCC, MS, a Charlie Health Clinical Director. For example, the leader of an anxiety disorder peer support group might be someone who has conquered their own anxiety disorder and wants to help others with anxiety do the same. Other common examples of peer-led support groups are 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. 

Professional-led groups

A support group may also be led by a professional, such as a licensed therapist, social worker, or psychologist. The professional might specialize in the condition the support group is for.

You can attend a support group whether or not you are in individual therapy. However, if you’re dealing with a mental health condition, it’s recommended to seek therapy on top of attending a support group. 

Support groups vs. group therapy

Some people may use the terms “support groups” and “group therapy” interchangeably, but it’s important to note that these are not the same. Group therapy is a form of mental health treatment. These sessions are led by licensed mental health professionals and are typically structured around specific therapeutic techniques, such as CBT or DBT, says Punteney. According to the American Psychological Association, group therapy can even be as effective as individual therapy.

Support groups, on the other hand, are not considered treatments. A licensed mental health clinician may lead a support group, but it isn’t a requirement. Even if a licensed therapist leads a support group, it doesn’t mean it is treatment, but could still be a space to process emotions and experiences. Both group therapy sessions and support groups are beneficial, but keep in mind that support groups are not a substitute for mental health treatment. 

Lastly, support groups are not the place to deal with a mental health emergency or acute crisis. If you’re experiencing an emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Types of mental health support groups

Mental health support groups can address many mental health concerns. Support groups can help people with various conditions, including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Borderline personality disorder
• Substance use disorder (SUD)
• Schizophrenia
  

Furthermore, you can find support groups for struggles related to neurodivergence, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

You can also find support groups linked to specific life challenges that aren’t necessarily related to a mental health diagnosis. Many life transitions or events can lead to significant stress and emotional turmoil, and it’s equally important to address the impact of these on mental health. 

Some examples include support groups for: 

• LGBTQIA+ community
• New parents
• Coping with an illness
• Going through a divorce
• Dealing with a miscarriage
• Survivors of abuse
• War veterans 
• Grief
• Parents or family members of someone with a serious mental or physical health condition

Benefits of joining a mental health support group

The benefits of support groups can’t be understated. Here are six key perks.

1. Improved mental health outcomes

Although not a treatment, support groups can help improve your mental well-being on your recovery journey. “A big benefit is the improved mental health care outcomes,” says Punteney. “Research shows that support groups reduce symptomology of anxiety, depression, and stress in general.”

2. A great supplement to individual therapy

Individual therapy is great for exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors one-on-one with a licensed professional. But on top of what you’re working on in therapy, the connection you get from connecting and learning from others is invaluable and can take your recovery journey to the next level. “You’re going to be with people who are also struggling with the same things. Just having that feedback from peers can be really empowering and helpful,” Punteney says. 

3. Sense of belonging

A unique benefit that support groups have over individual therapy is that they offer a sense of community and belonging. Many studies over the years have emphasized the importance of social support for mental health. Support groups give you the opportunity to find deep connections with others who share the same struggles as you. Plus, they can reduce the loneliness that mental health conditions can bring. 

4. Feeling validated and understood

When you share your struggles with people who share the same diagnosis or diagnoses as you, you can feel a type of validation that you might not feel when you open up to friends or loved ones who don’t share the same struggles. It feels great to open up to people who just get it and know exactly how you feel without needing to over-explain or justify your reactions. 

5. Learning new coping skills

Mental health support groups offer the opportunity to learn new coping skills from both the group facilitator and peers. For example, you might learn about relaxation techniques to stop a panic attack or distress tolerance tips for when you’re experiencing overwhelming heightened emotions. Plus, you can share your own tips about coping skills that help you so that you can help your peers, as well. 

6. Sense of accountability 

Recovering from a mental health condition takes work and dedication. You must consistently show up and put in the work. “Support groups bring a sense of accountability, not only to attend the sessions but also to hold each other accountable in things they said they would do or things they would try,” Punteney says. 

Where to find support groups

There are many places to find support groups. You can start by asking local therapy offices, hospitals, community centers, or non-profit organizations. Additionally, here are a few examples of organizations that offer support group resources: 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI Connection support groups are free peer-led groups. They take place virtually and in person across the country. Search by location here. 
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): If you struggle with a mood disorder, DBSA offers a variety of in-person and virtual support groups. Search by state here. 
• International OCD Foundation (IOCDF): IOCDF offers a wide range of peer-led support groups for people with OCD and obsessive-compulsive-related disorders. Browse the options here. 
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): Although the ADAA does not host their own support groups, it provides a listing of many specialized groups, which you can view here. 
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These peer-led support groups help individuals struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. Meetings are free, widely available, and provide a judgment-free space for people to share their experiences and work toward recovery. Learn more about AA here and NA here. 

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, Charlie Health may be able to help. Our virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for people who are dealing with serious mental health conditions.

We incorporate evidence-based treatments into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic treatment, you can find relief from your mental health struggles. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start today.