How to Find a Depression Support Group

Clinical depression is a serious illness that affects adults, adolescents and children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in the United States depression afflicts 9.5 percent of the adult population, 8.3 percent of the adolescent population and 2.5 percent of the child population. Support groups are important resources that provide emotional and psychological support. Taking advantage of support groups for depression will help you overcome the sense of isolation and hopelessness that often accompanies the disease. Finding a support group for depression in your area is not difficult. Search the local telephone directory and speak with a mental health provider.

Instructions

• 1

  Check with local mental health professionals or organizations in your area. Ask for their advice or suggestions about local support groups for depression.

• 2

  Look in the Yellow Pages under mental health services and mental health centers. This will provide you with telephone numbers and contact information that can direct you to an appropriate support group.

• 3

  Call the local self-help support group clearinghouse in your area. These are nonprofit organizations that help people find support groups. There are more than 100 clearinghouses across the United States and Canada. Information may be found at mentalhealth.org.

• 4

  Check the local newspaper calendar. A list of support group meetings is often listed in the local newspaper's weekly calendar of events. The list will provide the location and time.

• 5

  Put emergency telephone numbers in your wallet or cellphone. People who suffer from depression may experience severe crises from time to time. In such situations it is important to be able to talk to someone as quickly as possible. Two numbers to keep with you are the Mental Health Resource Center, 1-800-969-6642 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255.