Getting the Most from an Online Mental Health Support Group

Questions to ask

Ask these questions to find a group that meets your needs:

• Are there recent posts? Are they by a number of different people? The group should have posts from more than a few people.

• Are people helping one another? Questions and requests for help are best answered by members who share their good experiences, strengths, and hopes.

• Are the members caring? Posts should be friendly and positive. There should be rules against abusive language.

• Groups can have their own focus and feel. If a group doesn't work for you, try another.

• Is the site trying to sell a product as a cure? Be wary.

Resources

• ADAA. ADAA works to help people who have anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other disorders.

• National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse. This peer-run resource center fosters recovery, self-help, and inclusion.

• DBSA. DBSA offers help for people with depressive and bipolar illness.

• NAMI. This peer-led group is for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of people with mental illness.

• SAMHSA. This federal agency offers help for people with mental illness and substance use disorders, and their families. Their online treatment locator can help you find support that is nearby.

Some online groups can spread wrong and sometimes dangerous information. Some information is based on rumor, not medical practice. Keep this in mind. And don’t stop your medicine or change your medicine or dosage without speaking with your doctor. Be careful when you share personal information. Talk with a provider you trust before trying untested treatments.