Can You Recommend an Online Support Group?
For some common mental health problems people are good at helping each other without the need for professionals. Research has shown face-to-face support groups can be effective for people with depression, chronic mental illness and bereavement. But for those who can't get to a face-to-face support group, or don't want to, there's another rapidly growing option: online support groups.
Almost one in five Americans over the age of 18 with internet access have become members of online support groups (Pew Internet Research Institute, 2005). While no figures are available for the UK, there could be as many as 8 million members. There are almost certainly many millions more using online support groups around the world.
The problem is finding decent groups - it's not easy to talk about sensitive personal issues with strangers, even given the anonymity provided by the internet.
Because of this I'd like to compile a list of support groups, especially ones that are largely based in the UK or made up of participants in the UK. Perhaps you know of an online support group or are a member or administrator of one?
What type of online support group?
I'm particularly interested in online support groups with the following characteristics:
- Mostly based in the UK or having a large number of UK participants.
- Reasonably well-established or already with plenty of activity.
- Aimed at those suffering from common mental health problems like anxiety, depression and phobias.
- Providing a warm and supportive atmosphere.
- Mostly involving participants (not mental health professionals) giving and receiving help.
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One UK based online support group I'm already aware of is Touching Minds. I also know there are many yahoo groups but I'm not sure which ones meet the criteria above.
Alternatively perhaps you know of a good guide to online support groups? All ideas are welcome...
References
Pew Internet Research Institute (2005). A decade of adoption: How the internet has woven itself into American life.
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I'm a member of an online support group which is part of a whole support group community. i think most members are americans but not all. i know the leader of the autism support group is from the UK, maybe more.... (i don't really know).
you can check it out http://www.mdjunction.com
cheers,
Eliza
http://www.buslist.org/phpBB
truly international community, primarily for those who self-harm but also support for mood disorders, anxiety etc..
http://www.smartrecovery.org/
A science based group for treating addictions (behavior and substances). Has both online support groups and face to face meetings worldwide, including the UK. Called "SMART Recovery", SMART is an acronym for "Self-Management And Recovery Training". Treats "addiction" as maladaptive behavior rather than disease.
http://www.oneinfour.org
A support forum for survivors of sexual abuse, the support here is amazing. A very close supportive community of survivors.
Thanks for your suggestions everyone - I will take a look.
This isn't a support group, but a very interesting online self-help programme developed by the Australian National University. http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/
It requires quite a bit of effort and dedication and would be most helpful as an adjunct to therapy with an actual psychologist.
http://moodgarden.org
It has information, support, and discussion for people dealing with mood disorders. This site is operated by people living with mood disorders.
We also have an anxiety, Anger Management/Domestic Violence, and The Medicine Cabinet forum
Medications: Information, Experiences, Research, and Helpful Resources.
It is a moderated forum. So there is almost never a problem with flaming or some other obnoxious things that I have seen in unmoderated support forums. It also requires membership which is free. That way the search engines do not return results for our posts.
Have you ever googled your screen name? I did that is one of the reasons being a member appeals to me.
Hope to see you there!
Scaramouche & Anon, thanks for your suggestions.
Boring. Boring Boring.
For the truly Mentally Interesting we have...
CrazyBoards, where the inmates are running the asylum. (And doing a damned good job of it too.) Under the section "Stuff that makes you feel like crap" they have bipolar - if life is a ride, BP's a fucking theme park. Whether you're riding the roller coaster, spinning 'round the demonic carousel, buying souvenir toenail clippers for the population of Rhodesia, or weeping on the sidelines as some kid pukes on your head, we're here for you.
Depression - Today's forecast: bright and sunny except for one dark, festering, soggy black cloud permanently stalled out over you. You've been in this funk so long you don't even feel like you deserve to live - in fact, you don't feel anything. You're convinced that you qualify for dual citizenship between Mordor and the Abyss. If the Grim Reaper came, you'd tip him. Any of this sound familiar? Step into the Abyssal Inn and put your feet up. You're not alone.
The Cutting Board (Self Injury) Cutting, burning... anything to feel the pain, because you can't feel anything else
Personality Disorders – Fuck Off! No, Wait. Fuck Me Now!
For when cutting, binging, stranger sex and staring at the mirror for hours on end wondering "Who Am I?" just don't cut it anymore. Although this board can be somewhat borderline-centric, all flavors of dysfunction are welcome.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders – What Part of English Don’t You Understand?
"... but I told you I loved you a year ago. If that had changed I'd have let you know."
"Is that angry? Are you angry? Why are you angry?"
door slams
"Fuck. Why does this keep happening?"
And a lot lot more. You get the flavour.
The Icarus Project The Really Really Loony Left, and Rightfully proud of it - We believe we have mad gifts to be cultivated and taken care of, rather than diseases or disorders to be suppressed or eliminated.
Crazymeds your one-stop information portal for the mentally interesting. Get the facts behind the meds, understand what you're shoving in your mouth.
Thanks Anon - they look very interesting!
Therapy 247
I think this is a new site, it has the makings of a brilliant idea.