Tips to Make the Best of a Social Support Group
We all need support in this world. Truth be told, humans are social creatures and we thrive off of our connections with others. Obviously it can feel pretty lonely when you don’t feel like you have anyone to turn to or a social support system to lean on. That is why a support group can be vital to you in time of distress.
A social support system is essential to a happy and healthy life for most people. Even if you just have one friend you feel understands you, it can make a world of difference in your life. Reflect on a hard time you’ve been through. Think of the pain you felt, the betrayal, or just the intense feelings you had during the process. As you look back on this time in your life, think back to the people around you. Who was there to support you?
It is nice to have a shoulder to cry on or open ears to listen to us in challenging times. We all deserve social support to help us feel understood in this world. A social support system helps people feel understood and accepted. When you’re with your social support system, you don’t have to worry about fitting in, keeping up an act, or pretending to be someone you aren’t. Social support systems and support groups can truly benefit people’s lives. This article goes over the importance of social support and why you can benefit from joining a support group.
What is a Support Group?
Simply put, a support group provides a place where people can share personal stories, express emotions, and be heard. That is, support groups foster an atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, and encouragement. Together, group members learn to solve problems and cope with various issues in life. Without a doubt, healing and growth happens when a group of people come together and just listen to each other.
A support group is a type of social support system. Many people rely on their families to vent or go to for some meaningful advice. However, some families may not be a safe place especially when people grow up in a destructive, abusive, or dysfunctional households (see our past article to learn more about these family dynamics). Many people, especially in the LGBTQ + community, find their chosen family. A chosen family is comprised of people you meet that feel like your true family or support system.
Benefits of A Support Group
A support group is an important form of social support system. According to Mental Health America (MHA), Support groups are spaces “where individuals can come together to share their stories, experiences, and lives in a way that helps reduce isolation and loneliness.” The MHA goes on to say that support groups are “open to anyone, but they are often focused on specific topics (i.e. depression, family, divorce, grief, etc.).”
A support group can create many benefits for group members. For example,
- Help you to Realize You are not Alone
- Increase your Self-Understanding
- Reduce Your Stress
- Learn Social Skills
- You can Help Each Other
- Make You Feel Empowered
Who Can Benefit from a Support Group the Most?
The short answer is anyone could benefit from some social support. Every person in this world deserves to have people they can rely on in times of distress. In terms of support groups, some people can benefit more indeed.
People in the LGBTQ+ Community
As mentioned in our previous articles, social support in the LGBTQ + community is vital. In 2020, The Trevor Project reported that over 40% of LGBTQIA+ respondents reported self-harming and seriously considering suicide. The results showed that youth with lower access to LGBTQ+-affirming spaces and people in their lives had higher rates of suicide attempts.
Social support helps protect LGBTQ+ people from social stress and rejection. In one study, LBQ women with social support reported higher levels of self-esteem and resilience. These things promote body appreciation which can help protect LBQ women from developing eating disorders.
As you can see, social support is more than just having people to turn to; social support in the LGBTQ + Community is a way of survival. When the world might feel like they’re against you or they don’t understand you because you don’t fit status closed or social norms, finding people to relate to is crucial. 
For example, Eli always knew they were different from the rest of their family. When the girls in their family dressed up like princesses, they liked to imagine themselves in a nice suit like prince charming would wear. When all of their friends were talking about dating boys, Eli imagined what it would be like to ask out the pretty girl in class instead.
Eli finally went to college and escaped from the small town they grew up in. At college, they met a group of people they could finally relate to. They joined an LGBTQ+ group and found people that became their chosen family. These people respected their pronouns, who they loved, and supported them through their college career.
People Who Struggle With Substance Use
Addiction can be really challenging and isolating. Many people who struggle with addiction tend to hide it from others. You may know someone in your life who hides their addiction from you; most of the time, they don’t even recognize they have a problem. Part of overcoming addiction is accepting reality and taking responsibility.
When someone goes to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), they are surrounded by other people who are in the same position. They need people who are on their journey to recovery and who have their ups and downs just like they do. AA has been shown to help people stay sober. Having social support helps people stay on track with their shared goals and feel more confident on their journey with sobriety.
Parents of Teenagers
These groups can allow parents to meet up and give each other advice, tips, and lessons they’ve learned during their journey with their kids. Parents can also join support groups when they feel lost on how to deal with situations properly that they may not be knowledgeable about or used to. Pflag and other support groups help parents navigate raising children in the LGBTQ+ community. This group’s goal is “educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.”
Parents also, devastatingly, parents can lose their kids tragically – COPE is a support group dedicated to parents in this situation. Their website states that “having peer support from other parents who can understand is life-saving. This support group creates “parents a safe place to share their grief and find the tools to live with their unimaginable loss.”
International Students and Marginalized Groups
Coming to a new country can be challenging to deal with. There are many reasons why people may need support in these situations. The International Student Community is a group the Mind Connections team holds dear to our hearts. Once international students in the past, our therapists at Mind Connections can understand your unique struggles and concerns.
As an international student, you may face extra challenges in a foreign country and need help and support for a variety of reasons, including:
- difficulty adjusting to the new culture, people, and classroom
- language barrier
- high expectations from your parents and family
- prejudice and discrimination
- feeling isolated, lonely, & invisible
- mental health struggles
Groups that face marginalization and discrimination can also benefit from turning to support groups. For example, Asian Americans have faced increased discrimination since the pandemic started. The COVID-19 pandemic increased prejudice against AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders). Discrimination and hate crimes produce harmful effects on victims’ mental health. That is, the sufferers can struggle with psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Hate crimes can cause psychological distress in victims.
People who face discrimination, racism, prejudice, or feelings of not belonging can benefit from increased social support and joining a support group.
How to Make the Best of a Support Group
Be Open
Joining a support group can be intimidating at first. Like in any new encounter, you may have beginner fears or anxiety. Even if it’s challenging, try your best to be open to the experience. Being open means:
- Listening to the facilitators and giving what they are saying a chance
- Coming in with an open mind, ready to hear other people’s experiences, opinions, and stories
- Encouraging yourself to speak up when you feel inclined to share and not getting in your way of connecting with other people
- Practicing smiling and speaking confidently
Give it a Chance (or Two)
You may not enjoy your first time attending a support group; this might cause you to distance yourself from future meetings. A famous quote states, “Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever discovered to conquer fear. According to PsychCentral, we engage in avoidance behaviors to “protect us from what we perceive as a threat” or danger.” Simply, if someone views something or someone as threatening to their safety or well-being, they will do their best to steer clear.
Try to face your fears or discomforts and give the group a fair run. Go a few times and give it a chance. If the group doesn’t seem like a good fit after trying to engage and benefit from it, it might be time to start looking for a new group.
Keep Confidentiality
There will be touching, motivational, sad, and relatable stories shared in a support group. It may be tempting to share with others in your life; however, it is essential to respect the privacy of your group members. Imagine how you would feel if another group member shared your story with someone else.
That is why we always say what happens in the group stays in the group. If you decide to share some stories, make sure you keep them very general without any recognizable personal information or details.
Take Your Time and Support Those Around
After some time, you may feel like opening up in a support group. First, allow yourself to listen to and appreciate the people around you. When you feel ready, don’t hold yourself back from speaking up or sharing your voice.
If you feel nervous, try practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques to de-stress, like breathing exercises, before. Encourage yourself and speak positive affirmations to make yourself remember that you are worthy and that your voice matters.
Mind Connections is Launching Two New Support Groups
Mind Connections is launching our International Student Support Group! We are creating a safe, secure, and comfortable space to support your journey. Once international students in the past, our therapists at Mind Connections can understand your unique struggles and concerns. Our team can relate to your difficulties – this helps them better support you and your needs.
We are also launching a support group for Mandarin-speaking women! This group is aimed at discussing intimate relationships. In this group, members will learn how to set boundaries, improve self-esteem and self-acceptance, navigate sex/intimacy in relationships, improve communication skills, and more! Check out the fliers below of the call to learn more about each group!
Content Creator, Victoria Gallo; Reviewed by Dr. June Cao
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