Mental health support groups
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The Role and Effectiveness of Mental Health Support Groups
Online Peer-to-Peer Support for Young People
Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Adolescence and early adulthood are critical periods for mental health development. Online peer-to-peer support has gained popularity among young people as a means to improve mental health through social support. However, the effectiveness of these online interactions remains under-researched. A systematic review identified six studies focusing on various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance use. The majority of these studies involved moderated Internet support groups or virtual reality chat sessions. While two randomized controlled trials showed significant positive outcomes, the remaining studies did not find peer-to-peer support effective, highlighting the need for more high-quality research in this area1.
Mutual Help Groups for Mental Health Problems
Chronic Mental Illness, Depression, and Bereavement
Mutual help groups have shown promise in improving psychological and social functioning for individuals with chronic mental illness, depression, anxiety, and bereavement. A review of 12 studies found that seven reported positive changes for participants, with two randomized trials indicating that mutual help groups were as effective as more costly professional interventions. However, five studies found no significant differences in mental health outcomes between group members and non-members, suggesting that while mutual help groups can be beneficial, their effectiveness may vary2.
Group Peer Support Interventions
Recovery and Clinical Symptoms
Group peer support interventions are increasingly integrated into mental health services to promote recovery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight trials involving 2131 participants found that group peer support may slightly improve overall recovery but had limited impact on hope, empowerment, or clinical symptoms. The evidence was mixed for other outcomes, and the studies varied in quality, indicating a need for more rigorous trials to determine the effectiveness of these interventions3.
Support Groups for Specific Populations
Mothers with Autistic Children
A study exploring the impact of support groups on mothers with autistic children found no significant improvement in mental health compared to a control group. However, subjective well-being and employment status positively influenced mental health and quality of life, suggesting that support groups may offer benefits beyond direct mental health improvements4.
Men's Mental Health
Men's experiences with mental health support groups reveal that these groups provide a sense of shared understanding and mutual respect, which can help men cope with emotional difficulties. Support groups offer a safe space for men to reconstruct traditional masculine norms and develop a sense of purpose, which can facilitate mental health management and reduce isolation7.
Online Support Groups
Prevalence and Demographics
A national survey in Singapore found that online support groups are used by a small percentage of the population, with younger adults and those with higher education levels more likely to participate. Individuals with mood and anxiety-related disorders, such as major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, were more likely to use online support groups, indicating their potential as a complementary resource to formal treatment services8.
Professional Moderation
Online support groups hosted by mental health professionals, such as Psycho-Babble, combine the benefits of professional oversight with peer support. These groups have shown high engagement and provide a supportive environment where members can share experiences and receive guidance, demonstrating the potential of professionally moderated online support groups9.
Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Support Groups
Increased Anxiety and Isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health, with increased posts about economic stress, isolation, and home-related issues in online support groups. Specific groups, such as those for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety, showed the most negative semantic changes during the pandemic. The rise in posts related to suicidality and loneliness underscores the heightened mental health challenges during this period10.
Conclusion
Mental health support groups, whether online or in-person, offer valuable benefits for various populations, including young people, individuals with chronic mental illness, and specific demographic groups like men and mothers with autistic children. While the effectiveness of these groups can vary, they provide essential social support and can complement formal mental health services. More high-quality research is needed to fully understand and optimize the impact of these interventions.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Online Peer-to-Peer Support for Young People With Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review
Online peer-to-peer support for young people with mental health problems shows mixed results, with two randomized controlled trials showing significant positive outcomes.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedMutual Help Groups for Mental Health Problems: A Review of Effectiveness Studies
Mutual help groups show limited but promising evidence of improving psychological and social functioning for people with mental health problems like chronic mental illness, depression/anxiety, and bereavement.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedA systematic review and meta-analysis of group peer support interventions for people experiencing mental health conditions
Group peer support interventions may improve personal recovery but have limited impact on other outcomes.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedThe effect of support group on the mental health and quality of life for mothers with autistic children.
Support groups for mothers with autistic children improved subjective well-being and employment status, but not mental health, at the end of the first month.
RCTHighly CitedThe effectiveness of support groups: a literature review
Mental health support groups are effective in providing support and companionship for carers and people with mental illness, as an important adjunct to mental health therapy.
Systematic ReviewNational Estimates for Mental Health Mutual Support Groups, Self-Help Organizations, and Consumer-Operated Services
Mental health mutual support groups, self-help organizations, and consumer-operated services provide more services and supports than traditional mental health organizations, with 7467 groups and organizations operating across the country.
Observational StudyHighly Cited‘It’s made me feel less isolated because there are other people who are experiencing the same or very similar to you’: Men’s experiences of using mental health support groups
Men's mental health support groups provide shared understanding, mutual respect, and social benefits, facilitating mental health management and reducing isolation.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalThe Public Health Impact and Policy Implications of Online Support Group Use for Mental Health in Singapore: Cross-Sectional Survey
Online support groups for mental health are more prevalent among younger adults and those with university education, and can complement formal treatment services for mood and anxiety-related disorders.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalThe Best of Both Worlds: An Online Self-Help Group Hosted by a Mental Health Professional
An online self-help group hosted by a mental health professional, where the professional maintains a supportive milieu and members provide support for each other, offers the best of both worlds for members.
Highly CitedNatural Language Processing Reveals Vulnerable Mental Health Support Groups and Heightened Health Anxiety on Reddit During COVID-19: Observational Study
NLP techniques reveal vulnerable mental health support groups and increased health anxiety on Reddit during COVID-19, aiding in better resource distribution.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalHighly Cited