Virtual Support Groups

Virtual support groups can be beneficial for anyone who has been recently diagnosed with a major illness, a family member of someone struggling with addiction, or an individual dealing with a stressful life change, along with countless others scenarios. Support groups bring together groups of people whom all are experiencing similar events to gain insight from each other through discussions on coping strategies, feelings, and experiences.
 Support groups allow these individuals to have a safe space to discuss and realize they do not have to face these problems alone.  Although a lack of confidentiality may be a barrier someone from attending these support groups, facilitators are there to steer participants away from this problem. Also by visiting a virtual support group online, privacy and anonymity are increased. 

Support groups that I recommend include: (click the link to learn more)

12 step online – This virtual support group is an online Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting place and discussion forum. The chat is open 24/7 and there are 5 scheduled meetings each day

Diabetes support- This is a discussion board on which many individuals with diabetes use to talk about stuggles they may have or new insights they have gained. 

Anxiety and Depression support - This area looks a lot like the facebook homescreen except for it includes posts from those suffering with axiety and depression. It is a place to express feelings, and discuss thoughts.


Mayo Clinic (2018) Support groups: Make connections, get help. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655