Mental Health Support Groups: Top 4 Support Groups for Mental Health

Are you looking for mental health support groups? Do you have a family member or loved one in need of mental health support? Are you looking for a safe and confidential place to share about mental health care? Do you want to learn more about mental health support groups? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are in the right place.

Hi. My name is Sean Galla. I have been facilitating support groups for more than 10 years. In my line of work, I have facilitated numerous support groups, including mental health support groups. I have seen the positive impact support groups have on people’s lives. If you are living with mental health issues, you can also benefit from joining a support group for mental health issues. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about mental health support groups.

Avatar photo

Written by

Sean Galla

An experienced facilitator, community builder and Peer Support Specialist, Sean has been running men's groups for 10+ years. Read Sean's Full Author Bio.

What Are Mental Health Support Groups?

Many people have found mental health support groups to be helpful tools that can be used to aid in recovery. They give you an avenue to share your thoughts, fears, and experiences with others who are just like you.

A mental health support group is a type of self-help support program where people living with mental health issues meet. These groups offer a safe space where you can share, learn, and find healing even as you help others in the groups to heal. Unlike therapy sessions, support groups for people living with mental health are not overseen by mental health professional service providers or trained professionals. They are led by other people living with mental health issues who have managed to live positively despite their condition. They have years of experience in dealing with mental health issues and have adopted coping mechanisms and survival mechanisms that prevent them from succumbing to a mental breakdown.

In a support group, you are able to get personalized support from people who understand. This makes the group an added benefit to medical therapy. On the other hand, if you’re looking for depression support groups then mensgroup.com has you covered.

Mental Health Support Groups

Why You Should Join a Support Group?

Whenever faced with a problem in life, it is human nature to seek advice and help from the people closest to you. Most people talk to their family, siblings, or close friends. When you live with a mental health condition, the people in your life may struggle to understand and relate to your situation. Sometimes, everyone is focused on giving you advice and tips on overcoming depression, anxiety, OCD, or any other mental health issue. While the advice is helpful, sometimes people living with mental health issues need to be allowed to talk and be heard. This is the basis of mental health support groups.  On the other hand, if you want to learn more about support group activities then follow Men’s Group blogs today.

Joining a mental health support group puts you in the company of other people living with mental health issues. This creates a safe space for you to share without worrying about being misunderstood or judged for your condition. More often than not, it can prove beneficial to sit with other people dealing with the same kind of issues. Mental support groups are open to people struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, general stresses of life, and medical issues that affect their mental health. Together, group members use their stories to strengthen and support each other as they learn practical ways to problem-solve and coping skills to lead a better, more fulfilling life.

The success of any support groups is determined by the willingness of the participants to share. Members of the group need to be willing and ready to share their fears, struggles, thoughts, and emotions to benefit from advice and resources in the group. It is normal for new members to be skeptical about opening up to a group of strangers. With time, you learn to trust your peers as you foster new positive relationships. On the other hand, if you’re looking for weight loss support groups then mensgroup.com has you covered!

Support groups are built on the principle of self-disclosure. This powerful tool reminds people that they are not alone in their struggle with their mental health. It also gives you hope that you, too, can overcome your challenges and that if others have flourished despite their mental health struggles, you too can overcome your issue and thrive. Peer support groups for people with mental health services to remind you that you are not alone. People who go to support groups for mental health say that they feel less isolated when part of a support group.

Types of Mental Health Support Groups

Meetup support groups

Mental health support groups come in different types and setups. Some of these groups are independent, while others are affiliations to larger organizations. Grouper that hold physical meetings meet in different locations, including in private homes, community centers, places of worship for Christian meetings, and in non-profit organizations premises. Sometimes these groups invite speakers with professional knowledge to share in the group while other times members facilitate their own groups. Experienced members welcome new members by sharing their experiences as they look to grow and learn from each other. On the off chance that you’re looking for anxiety support groups, then mensgroup.com has you covered.

Online support groups

Online support groups have also become popular, especially in this COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic period. Even with the pandemic preventing socializing and gathering, it is essential for people living with mental health issues to access support groups from home. Online peer support groups for people with mental health conditions offer a virtual platform where members of a group can share, learn, and get support without meeting physically.

support groups for mental health online

An online support group like mensgroup.com offers virtual video conferencing and chat-based support to members. On such an online platform, you can log in at any time to speak to other members or learn from forums. Most online mental health support groups have a dedicated helpline where you can call at any time to talk to a mental health group facilitator. Online support groups are the best choice for anyone who wishes to remain anonymous even as they get help. They are also ideal for people who cannot find a group in their location. Chat rooms, websites, and discussion boards can connect you to support groups for mental health from all over the world where you can get round the clock support.

Some well-known support groups and organizations include mensgroup.com, Mental Health America (MHA), NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), and the depression and bipolar support alliance (DBSA). Most support groups offer psycho-education support, where facilitators provide helpful information about how to deal with different mental health issues. They also give the members a chance to share their coping skills in an effort to help other members of the group.

Top Support Groups for Mental Health

ADAMH

ADAMH is a support group for people dealing with substance abuse, alcohol, and mental health issues. It offers a safe and judgment-free platform for people looking for a depression support group and people dealing with different life issues can go for help and support. This organization’s role is to fund, plan, and evaluate community mental health services to ensure members of the community can access affordable mental health support.

ERIMHA

ERIMHA is a mental health advocacy organization that serves to help children, adults, seniors, and families to overcome mental health issues. They seek to address the mental health needs of people in a community to deliver the best possible program and service to meet these needs. In this group, individuals and families living with mental health issues can get support, comfort, and guidance. They also initiate support advocacy programs and interventions in schools for young adults, treatment facilities, workplaces, and offers family support.

Triad Mental Health

Triad Mental Health support group offers support, guidance, and resources to people living with anxiety disorders like panic disorder and social disorder. It supports people living with PTSD and OCD. It is a schizophrenia/ schizo-affective support group too. Before the pandemic, the group would meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

Mensgroup.com

If you are a man living with mental health issues, Men’s Group is a men-only online support group for you. In the world today, it is easier for women to get help than men. The typical culture around the world is against the notion that men can openly show their emotions. At mensgroup.com, men are allowed to share their feelings, fears, and concerns. This is the first step to discovering the cause of their mental health issues.

Mensgroup.com offers a safe space where men can vent, share, learn, and heal without fear of ridicule or judgment. You will be in the company of other men living with mental health issues and have managed to find healing. By being in their company, you learn of healthy coping skills, and how to live a positive and happy life despite your mental health condition. You are not alone. In this COVID-19 period, an online mental health support group can be the best choice to avert a health crisis related to a mental breakdown.

Conclusion

Joining a mental health support group is the best way to heal from issues caused by mental health conditions and learn how to lead a happy and positive life even with a mental health condition. Support groups for people living with mental health conditions offer a safe place that works to see you through the healing process. At mensgroup.com, you will meet a group of mentors to guide you through the healing process and help you cultivate healthy mental health habits to lead a happy life.

*Sources:
1. What Is Mental Health?
2. Types of mental illness
3. Mental illness - Symptoms and causes
4. Mental Illness Statistical Data
5. Mental health evidence and research (MER)