Support groups and communities play a major role in helping you prioritize your mental well-being. With the rise of digital platforms like Discord, Telegram etc., you now have the option to join either an in-person mental health community or an online community.
In this blog, we will consider this two formats, helping you make an informed decision about which one best aligns with your mental health needs.
Mental Health Groups/Communities
Choosing to join a mental health group/community can be a major step towards prioritizing your mental health.
Mental Health communities/groups are gatherings of individuals who are ready to prioritize their mental health. In these communities/groups, mental health support, resources and encouragement are provided to each member.
It is a safe space where members can share their experiences, doubts, fears, mental health issues and receive empathetic guidance and support.
A lot of mental health resources are usually provided to members of these groups like mental health webinars, videos, professional advice etc.
No matter what you’re going through, belonging to a mental health community ensures you get guidance and support from like-minded people or individuals with same experiences.
5 Amazing Benefits of Joining a Mental Health Community
Joining a mental health community can have so many amazing benefits on your mental health and physical wellness. Some of them are:
- It reduces isolation and loneliness.
- It Increases your access to mental health resources like videos, articles, etc.
- It provides emotional support and guidance in your life journey.
- It teaches you better and healthy coping strategies.
- It acts as a safe space for you to express your feelings, emotions and tell your stories without fear.
Also Read : 10 Amazing Benefits of Joining an Online Mental Health Community
Types of Mental Health Community Formats
There are two major types of mental health community/support groups
- In-Person support groups.
- Online Support groups/communities.
In-Person Support Groups
These are face-to-face gatherings of individuals with same mental health experience. This groups are usually organized by mental health professionals for specific mental health issues.
Advantages-
In-Person mental health communities are more specific compared to online communities. For example, a support group could be created for only individuals trying to recover from an addiction. Another group can be created for individuals experiencing PTSD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, etc.
There is also more personal connection involved since you get to meet others with similar experiences as yourself.
Disadvantages-
A major disadvantage to in-person support groups is the cost involved. Transportation and logistics costs can be a huge burden especially if you live in a rural environment or far location.
Also, there is less anonymity which means a risk that your shared experience can be leaked out beyond the group.
Online Support Groups/Communities
Online mental health communities are online spaces where you connect with other members going through similar mental health experiences as yours.
Online communities became very popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and its popularity has only continued to increase further with the advancements in technology. These communities are usually hosted on online platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook etc.
In this communities, people going through stress, anxiety, burn out, grief, trauma etc., receive emotional support and guidance to navigate those situations.
An example of an online mental health community in Nigeria is the Mycarebuddy mental health community hosted on Telegram.
Advantages-
Compared to in-person communities, an online mental health group is usually cheaper. Transportation and other logistics costs are also eliminated since you can easily gain access to these communities online.
Furthermore, since all you need is a good internet connection, you can access resources and guidance at anytime and anyplace without delay.
Also, all physical barriers to accessing mental health care are eliminated. This is a major advantage for individuals who live in rural areas.
Online support groups also provide a level of anonymity for group members compared to in-person support groups. You can easily share your experiences and feelings without fear of judgement or criticism.
It is also less specific compared to face-to-face groups. This means that you can share and receive guidance on any issue affecting your mental health at any time in your life e.g work anxiety, depression, trauma, grief from losing a loved one, parenting issues, relationship conflicts, etc.
Disadvantages-
The major disadvantages to online mental health communities are poor internet connection and easy distractions.
However, this are mere trivialities. You can easily come back and access any resources or advice shared when you are free and less distracted.
Choosing the Right format for your Mental Health Needs
There are certain things to consider in choosing whether to join an online or in-person mental health community. Some of them are:
- Your Goals: You must consider your goal for joining. If you hope to receive support and guidance for various issues like burnout, relationships, parenting, then an online mental health community is more suitable.
Online mental health groups are also more suitable if you are seeking a safe space to express your feelings and emotions and receive practical feedback.
However, if you have a specific mental health goal to achieve, then consider joining an in-person support group created for that particular goal.
- Physical Location: You might also need to consider your physical location before choosing whether to join an in-person or online community.
If you live in a rural or difficult to access location, an online mental health community is definitely your best option.
- Privacy Concerns: This is a very important factor in choosing whether to join an in-person support group or online community.
If you hope for a level of anonymity in sharing your experiences, then an online community may be more suitable for you.
Join the Mycarebuddy Mental Health Community
Our community is an online mental health space where you get unlimited access to premium mental health resources like articles, videos, expert-led webinars and masterclasses etc., at no or subsidized costs.
It is a community where you can share and receive support on whatever issues you might be going through in your relationships, family, work, etc.