Mental Health Support Groups: Pro & Cons
What Is a Support Group?
Support groups aim to empower people by sharing personal experiences of living and coping with a mental health condition. The groups are typically formed around a common condition — from depression or anxiety to addiction and panic disorders. Support groups often fill in a gap between what doctors provide with medical treatment and the emotional support that loved ones offer who may not understand what you’re going through.
Support groups offer a safe, supportive and non-judgmental setting where participants can be heard and gain insight and perspective about their own journey, according to Schroeder Stribling, president and CEO of Mental Health America.
Most support groups are led by people or peers who have similar personal experiences. “In peer-support group sessions, the group is led by someone who has their own lived experience with a mental health condition,” Stribling says.
There are also support groups for family members or friends of loved ones living with a mental health condition. The National Alliance on Mental Illness and other regional groups offer support groups for families and friends. “We use a loose definition of ‘family,’” says Teri Brister, chief program officer at NAMI. “If you’re the source of support for an individual with mental illness and want to learn more than about their condition, then there are specific support groups for those individuals as well.”
Support Groups: Pros & Cons
There are advantages and disadvantages to participating in support groups, including:
Pros of Support Groups
- Support groups are typically free, making them more available to a larger cross section of the population.
- Groups are normally led by those who have lived experience with the illness, which can be inspiring and comforting to those who are struggling.
- Support groups aim to share better coping skills and practical knowledge on topics such as community resources, navigating bureaucracy, specialist referrals or feedback and tips on daily management of their feelings.
- Participation is flexible so there are no firm commitments if one group doesn’t feel like a good fit. Keep looking for a support group that meets your personal and emotional needs.
Cons of Support Groups
- Speaking in front of a group about personal and private mental health challenges can be intimidating, especially for those with anxiety disorders.
- They are run on a trust-based system, so what you share is not covered by confidentiality laws.
- Currently there are no mandated training or certification for support group leaders.
- Membership participation can vary from session to session so you never know if someone familiar like an acquaintance or neighbor might show up.
