Effectiveness of Support Groups for Teens

Teenagers sometimes have difficult circumstances to deal with such as divorce, deaths in the family or depression. Often these circumstances are overwhelming and call for additional help. A support group is an ideal environment because it allows a teen to share his difficulties with other teens that are going through similar experiences. The groups provide a support system and also teach teens skills to cope that can be used throughout their lives.

Learning to Cope

• Support groups have activities that teach teens to cope with difficulties in their lives by channeling their negative feelings into other outlets. For example, some of the activities include keeping personal journals, painting, listening to music, and watching educational DVDs that will teach them methods of coping. In addition to the activities, the environment of the group allows teens to talk freely with one another. Under the guidance of the group leader, the teens can discuss methods of coping that could ultimately help one another in the future.

Support System

• The supportive environment of the group is an important aspect for teens to feel comfortable sharing their personal problems. It is a safe space for teens to speak without feeling judged or belittled. The teens also get a stable support system and encouragement from other teens that are in similar circumstances. Because the teens in the group often have similar issues, the support group creates an environment where teens are empathetic and can support one another.

Problem Solving

• Support groups have leaders that oversee the meetings and interject with ways to help teens to solve their problems. As the teens openly discuss their problems and their feelings, they are guided by the group leaders to effective and safe ways of dealing with their problems. The group leaders also teach the teens the correlation between actions, thoughts and feelings. Recognizing the connection between them helps teens break potentially self destructive behavior. As a result, they can use their learned skills to deal with future problems.

Self Growth

• Support groups can encourage a change of the teen's attitude toward himself. The groups focus on activities that encourage teens to accept themselves and feel more confident. The experience of sharing personal details with a group in an accepting and open environment has the effect of the teen realizing that his problems are no cause for embarrassment. Putting problems out in the open also allows the teen to acknowledge his problems and focus on the ways he has learned to cope with them. As a result of acknowledging his problems in the environment of a support group, the teen experiences personal growth that will lead his life in a more positive direction.