In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic. The help may take the form of providing and evaluating relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to and accepting others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also work to inform the public or engage in advocacy.

History

Formal support groups may appear to be a modern phenomenon, but they supplement traditional fraternal organizations such as Freemasonry in some respects, and may build on certain supportive functions (formerly) carried out in (extended) families.

Other types of groups formed to support causes, including causes outside of themselves, are more often called interest groups, advocacy groups, lobby groups, pressure groups or promotional groups. Trade unions and many environmental groups, for example, are interest groups. The term support group in this article refers to peer-to-peer support.

Maintaining contact

Support groups maintain interpersonal contact among their members in a variety of ways. Traditionally, groups have met in person in sizes that allowed conversational interaction. Support groups also maintain contact through printed newsletters, telephone chains, internet forums, and mailing lists. Some support groups are exclusively online (see below).

Membership in some support groups is formally controlled, with admission requirements and membership fees. Other groups are "open" and allow anyone to attend an advertised meeting, for example, or to participate in an online forum.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Wed Jul 8 01:27:39 2009

Are there any online support groups for people with depression?
Q. Unfortunately as depression doesn't generally have any visible give-aways people are often unsympathetic or say 'snap out of it'. I was wondering if there are any online support groups or forums (user-friendly!) for sufferers of clinical depression? Does anyone have experience of using these?
Asked by Volcano Grrl (aka Emby) - Wed Dec 3 09:54:00 2008 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. yes there are, and you can get a lot out of them if they are the right thing for you,
Answered by tanika971 - Wed Dec 3 09:59:47 2008

Online support groups for parents with children with mental problems?
Q. I am looking for online support groups for parents that have children that have been diagnosed with severe mental problems. I cannot seem to find any online help groups. I'm sure that they are out there, but haven't had any luck finding them. ADHD, OCD, psychotic tendencies, kleptomania, etc. Anyone out there know of any good sites or maybe you are going through the same problems?
Asked by dragonfly - Fri Sep 21 10:27:32 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You know, I've been looking for something similar because there is something seriously wrong with my step-daughter. She was diagnosed 2 years ago with ADHD, but now she has breakdowns and she has been having sexual "visions" and "visions" about death and suicide. She starts seeing a therapist next week and I hope they do a mental health assessment on her and check her thyroid levels. The girl is only 10 and she shouldn't be having thoughts about these type of things.
Answered by yoni242003 - Fri Sep 21 11:43:03 2007

Why do they have support groups for survivors of suicide but no groups for people who are suicidal?
Q. Wouldn't make sense to have support groups for people with depression who are feeling suicidal? Instead there are groups for people who are survivors of suicide, I don't get it. Maybe if they had groups for people who are suffering with depression they wouldn't have to have as many groups for people who are survivors.
Asked by slw182 - Sat Jun 23 22:34:24 2007 - - 11 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Most cities and towns have suicide hot line to help people in crisis. They can help you through the crisis and help you get professional help afterward. Some people might need individual help before they are ready for a group. Others might be ready for a group immediately. You can get help, you just have to make the call.
Answered by lcmcpa - Sun Jun 24 01:15:02 2007

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Support Groups"
Sun Jul 26 05:28:19 2009

See also:

  • CMV Support GroupCMV Support Group
    cmvkids.faithweb.com
    A listserv providing information about the cytomegalovirus(CMV). How to subscribe, parent links, and information links.
  • Nanuet Parents Information NetworkNanuet Parents Information Network
    geocities.com
    By and for parents to find resources and share information to help their children with special needs.
  • Solutions for the Special Needs CommunitySolutions for the Special Needs Community
    stemark.com
    Provide any person with a lifetime special need, and their advocates, disability specific information.
Custom search only Support Groups sites:

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Fri Jul 10 15:56:08 2009
Where and when - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Where and when

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Horizon Grief Resource Center Support Groups , for anyone dealing with grief or loss. Ongoing groups and six-week groups available at 8949 N. Deerbrook Trail ...
Moms Need Friends Too: Identifying Your Own Personal Support Group - Examiner.com
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Moms Need Friends Too: Identifying Your Own Personal Support Group

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This support group offers a monthly meeting, playgroups, field trips, craft days, park days, walking group , MOMS Night Out, service projects, friendship, ...
Fibro Pals - Fibromyalgia Support Group - AboutMyArea
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Fibro Pals - Fibromyalgia Support Group

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There are Support Groups out there hopefully local to you, where you can meet people who do understand what it's like when you have a bad flare up, ...

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Support Groups The Cancer Hospital of New Jersey 732 828 3000 Support Groups Self Help and Support Groups that meet at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital provide individuals and family members with information education and assistance in learning to cope with

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Sat Jul 25 12:38:10 2009

How Many Use Support Groups ?
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How Many Use Support Groups ?

BakoBiscuit

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:46:52 GM

I firmly believe that you need to have a good . support group. . We belong to two. One for the state that gives us all the latest anti homeschooling bills that come up and a religious . support group. that we use for playdates and teen . support. ...

Discussion: What makes you you. - HelpingTeens: Support Groups
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Discussion: What makes you you. - HelpingTeens: Support Groups

nirvana

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:07:17 GM

HelpingTeens: . Support Groups. : Discussion: What makes you you. - HelpingTeens: . Support Groups. . Jump to content. Logo · Sign In · Register · Help. Search Advanced · HelpingTeens.or​g · Articles · Live Chat · Resources · . Support Groups. ...

 Support Groups for Jeepaholics - Well, She Said
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Support Groups for Jeepaholics - Well, She Said

unknown

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:47:46 GM

Support Groups. for Jeepaholics. Username: Password: Save Password Forgot your Password? . ... . Support Groups. for Jeepaholics, 2001-2004 Aholics.com, Go To Top Of Page. Page generated in 0.39 seconds. Snitz Forums 2000 ...

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Sat Jul 25 17:41:25 2009