Is there a free men’s group? Is there a support group for men online? Is men’s Group worth it for a loved one? Where do men go for support? What does the Men’s Group do? What is the cost of Mensgroup? What is the best support group for men? Where can I find a Men’s Group? This article answers this and more questions about men’s groups.
My name is Sean Galla. I am a men’s group facilitator with more than 10 years’ experience. Part of my facilitating journey has been overseeing different support Groups for men. This has given me the privilege of witnessing how beneficial being part of a free men’s group can be, where men are allowed to freely share and learn as part of personal growth.
If you are thinking about joining a men’s group meeting to become a better man, this article has all the information you need to get a clear understanding of how men’s groups work and how to find a men’s group that is right for your needs.
Table of Contents:
What is a men’s group?
A men’s group can be defined as a group of men who meet regularly to brainstorm, advice and support. While it is almost similar to mentoring, men’s support groups have some differences. Most men’s groups comprise of members who give and receive advice from one another about any topic related to men’s issues.
A free men’s group can be termed as a regular meetup or a circle of men with shared interests. Usually, these are peer-to-peer groups that meet physically or online. Men’s groups compromise of group members who share common experiences for different needs. It is also a space where members can come for helpful information for different life needs.
In a men’s support group, members have a free space to talk to fellow men and learn from others who are in similar situations or have gone through similar situations. This gives them a good chance of getting valuable insight, references, and help through firsthand experiences.
Common characteristics of a men’s group include:
- It is peer led – these are people directly experiencing or affected by a specific issue or circumstance.
- It is usually small in size to ensure it can address each member’s needs
- It is led by volunteer peer specialists or professional facilitators/discussion leaders
- It is voluntary to attend
Should I join a men’s group? Find out here.
Free Men’s group – the options
Men’s groups are created to meet different men’s needs through peer-to-peer support. For this reason, any man can benefit from joining one.
There are numerous men’s groups options, and different groups address different needs. There is a men’s group for divorce advice, relationship advice, substance use and recovery support, among others. They range from subscription based options to community based free men’s groups.
Some of the most common options include men’s groups that address:
- Men’s emotions
- Men’s health
- fatherhood
- Relationship issues
- Social support
- Mental health issues
- Addiction
- Family violence
- Intimate partner abuse
- Anger management
- Divorce/ bereavement
- Childhood sexual abuse recovery support
- Parenting
Regardless of the type of group, members get and offer social support based on personal experiences on a peer-to-peer capacity or in a community.
Men’s groups can either be physical or online.
Walk-in men’s centers/clubhouses – These are social support programs for men with a social and psychosocial recreational focus. Since they are in-person, men are free to walk in and get support at any time.
Online men’s groups – a virtual men’s group is a consumer operated safe place for men. They are voluntary and naturally occurring and offer reciprocal relationships amongst small group of peers. the Mankind project (mkp) and MensGroup are good examples.
These types of Men’s groups meetings can take hosted on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and discussion forums. On these online platforms, members meet virtually via Zoom video calls or through chats and discussion forums. Men’s group facilitators are well equipped to offer support to the members and encourage the members to support each other as a way of helping to troubleshoot problems from different life experiences. They can also share information on how to access further help if need be.
What are the goals of men’s groups? learn more here.
The benefits of joining a men’s group
You get a sense of belonging
Most young men find themselves alone and lonely, lacking a support system as they grow older. This is detrimental to their mental health and self-actualization. Men’s groups are an ideal space for men to come and meet like-minded friends who could become their closest group of friends.
With time, a men’s group becomes your second family. This is a therapy group made up of men not afraid of in diving into topics affecting men that were once said to be taboo. You develop a sense of trust and belonging, making it feel like home.
You meet with likeminded men
A men’s group puts you in contact with people who understand whatever it is you are going through or need. This is the best way to get the help you seek from people who have been there before.
Directed advice
Men’s groups offer directed guidance and help for different life issues. Whether you are facing problems at work or home, resource centre service providers can help in ways other services may not be able to.
Available support round the clock
Men’s groups usually have a hotline you can contact at any time. Most online support groups like MensGroup are available round the clock to allow members to join discussion forums at any time, regardless of their location.
Specialization
Men’s groups come in many shapes and forms to ensure men can get advice and support for different men’s issues. Depending on your needs, there are mental health information groups, career advancement resources groups, divorce information support groups, parenting resources groups, and many others.
No judgment
Regardless of your situation, men’s groups are safe spaces for sharing. The people in the programs have gone through similar issues, and thus offer help and advice from experience. Talking to people who have walked in your shoes ensures there is no discrimination or judgment. this is the best way to help to rebuild your self-esteem.
Chance to give back
By being part of a men’s group, you can learn and become a peer supporter to new members. You can also take the knowledge and experience to start men’s resource centre programs in your community as part of giving back.
Free men’s group – Examples of available support groups for men
Amputee coalition
https://www.amputee-coalition.org/
This is a support group that brings together people going through a traumatic experience from losing a limb or people born with limb loss. It has more than 400 groups around and more than 1500 peer visitors, making it the perfect place to get emotional support, vital information, and encouragement to facilitate a full recovery.
Wounded warrior project
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
This is a good example of a veteran peer support group. With more than 113,000 registered members, this group gives you an extensive network of heroes just like you. The peer support groups take place in different states across America, where they cover veteran peer support group topics. It brings together veterans in need of support where fully-recovered vets can become peer group leaders to new members. A search for a ‘peer support group for veterans new me’ will give you access to information on the nearest peer support station.
ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association)
This is an online peer support group that meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday. The purpose of this peer support group is to offer virtual peer support group sessions to adults with ADD/ADHD in a non-judgmental and safe environment.
Mensgroup.com
https://stagingwpx.mensgroup.com/
While most peer support groups cater to people of all genders with mental health issues or chronic illnesses, Mensgroup is a men-only online support group that offers men’s group activities and peer support for men looking to connect with others. At Mensgroup.com, men are free to talk about anything. You will find peer support groups for different conditions, life or career advancement, and advice, as well as general support groups. This is a forum for mutual acceptance, self-discovery, and understanding amongst peers. Participants can join chat rooms or meet with others through video calls. With Mensgroup, you do not have to go through life alone.
Is there a free men’s group?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions regarding men’s groups.
It is possible to get a free men’s group. These are usually open to anyone interested in support. Some men’s groups run on donations, while others, such as MensGroup.com, run on minimal member fees. While a free men’s group may still be beneficial, you can enjoy a more structured setting and facilitation from a paid group.
Also, research has shown that financial commitment makes it more likely for people to remain committed to attending the meetings, which is not always the case with free service. The benefits you get from participating in the men’s meeting make the investment worth it.
The bottom line
There are lots of men’s groups boasting a wide range of men’s group activities and ideas that you will likely find beneficial.
This is what we do here at MensGroup. You can check out one of our men’s groups for free and see if it fits you well.
If you are interested in self-improvement and becoming a better version of yourself as a man, you stand a better chance at meeting your goals if you have a supportive community. MensGroup.com offers immense benefits, including giving you the nudge you need to become a better you. Life gets easier when you have a group of friends rooting for you. This is what our Men’s group is all about.
