"ASKING FOR HELP IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS, IT IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH"
Barack Obama
A few days ago, I was talking to a Colombian friend. He told me that one of his plans for this year was to attend a congress of Alcoholics Anonymous in the city of Medellin. When I asked him why he was going to do this, he told me that thanks to the support offered by that group, he had managed to give up alcohol 36 years ago. A few days later I spoke to a Scottish friend, and she told me that she had problems being overweight, so she was planning on joining a support group because diets were not working for her, and she wanted to get fit.
I am very interested in topics of personal growth and self-help. The fact that two people had mentioned this topic to me encouraged me to investigate it. As a result of that I have written this article.
A support group, also known as a mutual aid or self-help group, is a group of people with similar concerns who help each other, sharing experiences and information to improve their quality of life. As for the number of self-help groups, there is one available for almost every problem and condition one can imagine. What is more, if there is no one that meets the needs of a person in need, that person can create their own group to help themselves and support others who need it.
Some support groups exist locally, others have national coverage, and some operate internationally. In such a way that they offer the possibility of establishing connections with people from different backgrounds, making the experience enriching.
With technological development, online support groups have appeared. In modern life, the person who needs help does not have to leave their home to find support. The great thing about these online groups is that you can ask questions anonymously, if you wish. This can be of great help for people who do not want to meet others face to face.
Sharing a problem with other people or listening to their challenges can lead to understanding and managing the situation the person is facing more efficiently. Dealing with a serious medical complication, for instance, requires adequate support from both medical staff and family and friends. When the patient does not receive adequate support from parties, a void occurs, and this can be filled by support groups.
The good thing about support groups
An article from Mayo Clinic points out several benefits, among which are:
- Find people who can sympathise with your case, since they have been there, and therefore they can understand you better. This makes it easier to talk openly about all kind of feelings without being judged.
- Feel accompanied, which allows you to reduce levels of anguish, anxiety and depression. This will allow you to feel better and see things more clearly, increasing your ability to deal with challenges and difficult situations.
- Obtain reliable information about the
disease or condition you are suffering from. If it is an illness or a bad habit, you will be able to learn more about the treatment and the resources
available to deal with the case successfully.
In addition to the benefits, it must be taken into account that these groups are not perfect and there may be conflict, tensions, inadequate advice, irrelevant comparisons and even lack of confidentiality. When the time comes, if a person does not feel comfortable in the group, the wisest recommendation is simply to leave and find another group that better responds to their needs.
Recommendations for
finding a good support group
- Ask medical staff to suggest a trustworthy group.
- Go to non-profit organisations that offer support for your case.
- Visit websites of serous institutions that are dedicated to investigating the case.
- Avoid groups that offer miraculous products or cures.
- Talk to a suitable spiritual guide to recommend a group that respects your freedom and does not try to impose any faith.
When a person goes through moments of difficulty, the situation not only affects them but also the entire family. There are also support groups for family members. This is the case of relatives of people with mental health disorders, disabilities and degenerative or chronic diseases, to name a few examples.
On a personal level, it has been rewarding to be able to offer online support to female breast cancer survivors. I have felt useful by share some aspects of my experience while dealing with cancer, exchanging opinions with other survivors, and most important of all, sending messages of support to girls who are distressed upon receiving the diagnosis.
Bibliography:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655
- https://psicologiaymente.com/clinica/grupos-de-apoyo
- https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/publicaciones/diccionarios/diccionario-cancer/def/grupo-de-apoyo
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/therapy-medication/support-groups.htm
- https://www.cancer.net/es/asimilaci%C3%B3n-con-c%C3%A1ncer/c%C3%B3mo-buscar-apoyo-social-e-informaci%C3%B3n/grupos-de-apoyo
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714759718694236
