When you’re dealing with mental health challenges, a support group can be a helpful tool to aid in your recovery. Even with treatment tools in place, such as talk therapy, prescription medication, exercise, or alternative therapies like Ketamine Infusions, supportive relationships may further help you persist through the ups and downs that come with your wellness journey. With support, your treatment plan will be even more effective and enduring.
Social connection is important for those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. When facing problems in life, the first people you turn to are typically friends and family. But sometimes people in your life may struggle to relate or they may be more focused on helping rather than listening. You may also feel you don’t have friends or family to confide in, or aren’t in a position to share vulnerable information with those closest to you. With a support group, sharing common personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand knowledge of symptoms and treatments often functions as a bridge between medical and emotional needs.
Types of Support
The right support can result in a noticeable improvement in how you feel and help with maintaining a better mindset during and after treatment. Different types of support networks include:
- Personal Support that consists of your friends and family
- Professional Support such as healthcare providers and mental health professionals
- Public Services including local and national hotlines, counselors, and programs
- Support Groups run by organizations, independent businesses, or community members
Besides family, friends, and mental health professionals, support groups are one of the best resources for people struggling with mental illness. Formats of support groups vary, including in-person meetings, web meetings, and online communities. Some groups are led by a trained and experienced therapist while others may be led by group members. These sessions can vary in size, a large group may consist of 15 people, while a smaller one is typically 5 people. Some support groups are open with people joining and leaving at any time, and others are closed where members begin and meet for a set period of time.
There are many different types of support groups available to you. Where, when, and how often they meet, educational opportunities offered, and other factors, will help guide you toward finding the right group. Each type of support group has its own advantages. One of the advantages of becoming a KCLA patient is that we offer our own KCLA patient support group. This unique opportunity creates a supportive and safe space to connect people who have had Ketamine Infusion Therapy at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. With the guidance of a licensed therapist and members of the KCLA care team, we strive to build upon your treatment results and enhance your life.
Benefits of Support Groups
The common experience among members of a support group often means they have similar feelings, worries, everyday problems, treatment decisions or treatment side effects. It can be incredibly powerful to have a community that understands what you’re going through. Support groups are a safe space where you can vent your frustrations, share your achievements, and, perhaps most importantly, see that you are not alone on your journey. Benefits include:
- Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged
- Reducing stress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
- Live a longer, happier and healthier life
- Improving skills to cope with challenges
- Improving social skills
- Staying motivated to manage chronic conditions or stick to treatment plans
- Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope
- Feeling empowered by helping others
- Improving understanding of a disease and your own experience with it
- Getting practical feedback about treatment options
- Learning about health, economic or social resources
Creating Your Own Support
You are your own greatest ally in taking care of your mental health. Work on developing your support system so that you are better equipped to handle any challenges that come your way. Here are 5 tips for creating a larger, stronger support system:
- Be more active in your community
- Be willing to ask for and offer help
- Consider online support
- Know when a particular person or group is not a good match for you
- Find a local support group – If you’re a patient of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, check out our upcoming support group dates.
