There’s a reason why so many social organizations are built on weekly support group programs. Peer support groups are a powerful and often underappreciated part of the mental health treatment process. Since it’s Depression Awareness Month, now is a good time to explore the ways you might benefit from a support group for people with depression.

Survey data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic measured the effectiveness of three types of support for people with depression: emotional support, positive social interactions and tangible support. Emotional support and positive social interactions proved to be more effective than tangible support, and having more than one type of support multiplied the positive effects.

The privacy and individualized support of one-on-one therapy are the foundation of successful treatment for many people. Experiences in support groups can vary, and they’re most beneficial when combined with other forms of treatment, such as medication and individual therapy. However, there are some things you’ll find in a support group that your individual therapist can’t really provide. 

This article outlines eight benefits those with depression can expect from a support group.

How can a support group help me manage my depression?

First of all, connecting with others who’ve had similar experiences can be therapeutic in many different ways. Just listening to other people’s experiences can make you feel less alone on your mental health journey. A support group can also be a place where you share what you’re going through so you can feel seen and heard by people who understand. Having meetings to look forward to creates a sense of community and purpose for many of our clients. Over the course of your treatment, you’ll learn about resources and coping skills that have worked for other people. Most importantly, you’ll start to feel more confident and empowered to take an active role in your treatment and your life. 

8 ways a support group can help you manage your depression symptoms

There may be some aspects of your depression that you don’t want to talk about with your family or friends. That’s understandable. It’s OK to maintain your privacy, but you shouldn’t keep it all bottled up inside. As you learn to regulate your emotions and cope with depression symptoms, you’ll need different types of supporters on your team. Your therapist is one. Talking with other people who have different perspectives on depression is also an important part of treatment for many individuals with depression.

Support groups come with the following benefits for people experiencing depression:

• Feel like part of a community — Feeling isolated is a pretty common experience for people with depression. Meeting up with a support group at least once a week will help you feel less alone. You may even build some lasting relationships with group members who turn into good friends. 
• Share experiences — As you listen to other people share their stories, you’ll find that a lot of them sound familiar. We often hear people say, “I thought I was the only one…” Connecting with others who’ve had similar experiences will help you gain some perspective. 
• Feel seen and heard — When you’re working through tough situations, saying things out loud and feeling truly seen makes a big difference. At Lightfully, our support groups are strictly confidential, and you’ll get encouraging feedback from other group members.
• Find hope — Depression can make it seem like things will never get better for you. The people you meet in group can help you find the silver linings without engaging in toxic positivity. You’ll also hear from people who are further along in their treatment, which can be very inspiring.
• Improve your self-esteem — Support groups offer a safe space for you to socialize and talk through things without having all the answers figured out. Participating in healthy and productive conversations will improve your confidence and social skills. Nobody will expect you to say things perfectly, so you can just be your authentic self. Support groups are all about total honesty. 
• Discover resources — Other perspectives can help you discover the newest resources and media that really help people with depression. When group members share their triumphs, you’re likely to get inspired and discover some new things. 
• Learn coping skills — Have you struggled with things like meditation and journaling that get a lot of hype in the mental health community? A support group is a great place to gain some insight into how other people use these kinds of tools. If you’re in a treatment program, everyone in the group will be experimenting with new coping skills. You can learn a lot about different techniques and what makes them powerful.
• Feel empowered — Self-advocacy is critically important when you’re pursuing mental health treatment. One of the best ways to learn how to speak up and get your needs met is by listening to others who are doing it for themselves. 

You’re not alone; find a support group at Lightfully

You don’t have to take our word that support groups are a critical type of support for people with depression. At Lightfully, many of our clients have spoken out about the positive impact that other clients made on their lives during treatment. You can also experience it yourself during our free weekly support group. 

What questions do you have about support groups and mental health treatment? Contact us today. Let’s talk about what you need to recover and manage your depression.