Where Can I Turn for Support?
Support groups are available to people dealing with a variety of life’s challenges. According to an article in the textbook Psychiatric Nursing, over 20 percent of Americans have participated in some type of self-help group. With online support groups increasing in number, the percentage is growing rapidly. Chances are good there is an online support group or community-based support group that can help to provide you the support you need.
Support groups may provide several benefits:
- A safe, non-judgmental atmosphere for sharing feelings
- A social outlet for connecting with others facing similar situations
- A source of reliable information-sharing
- A place to learn how others have coped with challenges similar to the ones you are facing
- Support from others who understand from personal experience what you are going through
- The reassurance that you are not alone
There are many types of support groups, including groups of caregivers, groups with a focus on a particular disease such as mesothelioma, and family-centered groups.
Characteristics of a successful group may include some or all of the following:
- A caring atmosphere and trust among members
- A mix of participants
- Clear structure and purpose
- Agreement on group rules, including confidentiality
- A good facilitator
You may feel more comfortable with an online support group, which you can participate in from the privacy of your home. Or you may want to find a community-based support group. For more information about cancer support groups, see the National Cancer Institute’s “Cancer Support Groups: Questions and Answers.”