My absolute favorite support group is DBSA. There is many reasons for this, but one of my favorite things is that it focuses on the consumer.
There are many groups out there, but the ones I personally do not like the most are the friends and family groups FOR the consumer.
Friends and family groups are great for friends and family, but if you have a group that is more people who know someone with a mental illness then with a mental illness we have a problem. As a consumer, it makes me feel like a burden, to hear people come and bitch about their "problem child" or "wild niece". As a caregiver, this is needed. But not with people who are experiencing the illness. In my experience, people who want to talk about someone are the louder voice in the room than the people who are actually having the experience.
BUT fundamentally, the biggest thing is, the problems you have as a consumer are so drastically different than the ones that caregivers have. And the types of responses you get from each sort of person are very different. As they should be.
But most important to go to a consumer led group is the sensation that you're not alone. To be in a room of people who understand and aren't there to judge you is one of the best feelings in the world.
I highly recommend finding a support group. Hands down it is the best thing I did.
Go three times, then decide of course, but keep looking until you find one that meets your needs. It's important.
~ Emery
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