Having a support system is an important part of feeling good. It benefits a person on all levels, and studies have shown that people with support systems live longer. Trust and open communication are key components in the healing process.
How do I find a support group in my community?
Many people find peer support a helpful tool that can help towards overcoming depression. There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups for consumers, their family members and friends. Some support groups are peer-led, while others may be led by a mental health professional.
Your local Mental Health Association is an excellent resource to assist you in finding support groups in your area.
The American Self-Help Clearinghouse provides group support referrals.
National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse maintains a listing of support groups on a broad range of mental health topics. It also maintains a Directory of Consumer-Driven Services, which includes peer-run organizations throughout the United States that offer a variety of supportive services and activities.
Specialized support group resources include:
- Adult Children of Alcoholics
- Al-Anon/Alateen
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Association of Retired Persons Grief and Loss Information
- American Association of Suicidology: Support for family/friends that have lost a loved one to suicide
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Psychological Association
- American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Society for Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association
- Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Co-Dependents Anonymous
- The Compassionate Friends Grief Support: After the death of a child
- Debtors Anonymous
- Depression after Delivery
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association
- Depression Forums
- Depression Understood
- Dual Recovery Anonymous: Support for those who have both a mental health and alcohol/substance abuse problem
- Emotions Anonymous
- Families for Depression Awareness
- Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, a parent support and advocacy network
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Healthline.com
- Jewish Child and Family Services
- Mental Health America
- Narcotics Anonymous
- National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, a family support and advocacy organization
- National Council for Community Behavioral Health
- National Family Caregivers Association
- NIMH-National Institute of Mental Health
- National Network of Depression Centers
- Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
- Personality Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder Information and Support
- Postpartum Support International
- Recovery Inc.
- The Depression Center
- Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder information and support
- Well Spouse Foundation
If you need further assistance on mental health issues or referrals, please contact the Mental Health America Resource Center at 1-800-969-6642.