Schizophrenia support groups: Where to find

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Support groups for people with schizophrenia can foster a sense of connection and community and help a person cope with their condition. They may also improve functioning, reduce the duration of rehospitalizations, and prevent relapses.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that causes people to experience distortions of reality, including delusions or hallucinations.
Schizophrenia
delusions
hallucinations
People with schizophrenia may also:
have difficulty concentrating and communicating
have difficulty with schoolwork or employment
isolate themselves from friends and family
Symptoms often start during a person’s teenage years and early 20s. Without treatment, schizophrenia can be disabling.
Several treatments can help people manage their symptoms so that they can function better in their day-to-day lives.
Schizophrenia support groups are one vital treatment option that may offer a sense of community, important coping skills, and improved outcomes.
What are schizophrenia support groups?
Support groups are spaces where people who share a common condition or life situation can come together to share their stories and experiences with others so that they feel less isolated.
They may be led by members of the community, nonprofits, or mental health professionals.
Support groups can be held:
in person
over the phone
via text or messenger app
via smartphone applications
online, with:discussion boards (forums)blogsvirtual communities
discussion boards (forums)
blogs
virtual communities
In addition to antipsychotic medications, support groups are essential forms of treatment for schizophrenia.
antipsychotic medications
Support groups may help members:
feel a sense of connection and community
learn more about how to cope with their condition
get tips about treatment options
ask others for advice or help
grow their social network
Family-led support groups
Family-led mutual support groups can be crucial to treating schizophrenia. They aim to lessen the burden of schizophrenia within the family and among caregivers.
In family therapy, caregivers and families work with a therapist to better understand schizophrenia and develop ways to communicate with their loved ones.
This kind of therapy also offers support for family members and caregivers. Taking care of someone with a mental health condition can be stressful and require a lot of time and energy.
require a lot of time and energy
The objectives of family support are to:
provide education and information to better understand schizophrenia
encourage an atmosphere of mutual trust
explore strategies for coping with stress
provide an atmosphere conducive to open, honest sharing of feelings
discover ways to meet the needs of the person with schizophrenia
understand how to overcome stigma and foster hope
learn about services available in the community
Benefits of support groups
Support groups can foster a sense of connection and community and may help a person with schizophrenia better cope with their condition.
Other benefits include the following:
Peer support groups: These are useful interventions for people with psychiatric disorders. Some studies show that they enable and strengthen relationships in people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.
Some studies
Online emotional support: This is delivered by trained volunteers and may have many advantages, including the anonymity of the messaging system and the nonjudgmental approach of the volunteers.
may have many advantages
Family-led support groups for schizophrenia: These may help improve functioning in people with schizophrenia. They can provide long-term benefits, including:preventing relapseimproving family functioningproviding social supportreducing people’s symptom severityreducing the length of rehospitalizations
may help
long-term benefits
preventing relapse
improving family functioning
providing social support
reducing people’s symptom severity
reducing the length of rehospitalizations
Finding family and online support
Several organizations offer affordable family support. These include:
family and caregiver schizophrenia support forums
family and caregiver schizophrenia support forums
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) family support groups
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI’s Family-to-Family program, a free, eight-session educational program for family and friends of people with mental health conditions
Family-to-Family program
Online psychotherapy is easily accessible and often more affordable than in-person programs.
Here are a few ways that people with schizophrenia can connect with others online:
Mental Health America offer their own support group through a platform called Inspire.
Mental Health America
The Schizophrenia & Related Disorders Alliance of America offer a variety of online groups and chats for people with schizophrenia as well as their family and friends.
Schizophrenia & Related Disorders Alliance of America
7cups offers online chats and other group resources.
7cups
The NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group offers free, peer-led support for adults with mental health conditions.
NAMI Connection
It is also possible to also talk with mental health professionals online. Online therapy may cost less than conventional in-person therapy.
Here are a few ways to connect with a professional:
BetterHelp
BetterHelp
TalkSpace
TalkSpace
Amwell
Amwell
7cups
7cups
It sometimes requires trial and error to find the support group or therapist that is right for a person and their family.
The takeaway
Support groups can help people with schizophrenia achieve independence and grow personal relationships. They are also a tool for families to explore strategies for coping with stress and learn ways to better meet the needs of their loved ones with schizophrenia.
Online support groups are becoming increasingly available as an affordable option. Healthcare professionals also offer online therapy sessions that may be more affordable and can take place in the comfort of one’s own home.