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. Joining a group gives you a chance to be with people who are likely to have a common purpose. And the members of the group are likely to understand each other and what each person has gone through.

Benefits of joining a support group can be:

• Feeling less lonely, alone or judged.
• Easing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue.
• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings.
• Learning and getting better at using skills to cope with challenges.
• Staying motivated to manage long-term conditions or stick to treatment plans.
• Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope.
• Learning more about your disease and your own experience with it.
• Getting practical feedback about treatment choices and sharing feedback with others.
• Learning about health, financial or social resources.