In person support groups

[broadcity]

Hi everyone. I am new to this group and unsure if this is allowed but was curious to know others thoughts surrounding this topic.

I am a 27 year old woman, married without kids, full time employment and deal with heavy depression and anxiety and ADHD. I was officially diagnosed around 18 and have been on antidepressants since. I regularly see a therapist as well.

I recently lost my grandmother, and I feel I’ve started to go back downhill after her passing. I’ve never felt so alone and isolated. I feel like I don’t have many people around me who genuinely understand - partially due to my tendency to withdraw and put up walls.

Essentially, I started looking for a local support group to join to meet others who have similar experiences, to feel more “normal” and to offer the same to others. There are none in my area - this got me thinking as a health professional myself, I want to start my own adult peer support group.

I have the resources and connections to start one, but am worried about the turn-out. Do you think this is something that others 18+ would be interested in? Ideally we would meet regularly to discuss our own personal experiences and relate to others, and explore coping skills/therapeutic activities. I know it’s vague as this is a new thought. But curious to hear from similar-minded individuals on whether they’d be interested.

Thanks so much in advance!

[Sunrisetabby]

That would be wonderful if you have the strength and capacity to start a support group! Even though I live near a major metropolitan area, I have been deeply disappointed with the lack of any nearby in-person support groups. My insurance provider has group sessions but most are still virtual now, and seeing and listening to others in person I, like many, find much more powerful. Thank you and best of luck.

[broadcity in reply to Sunrisetabby]

thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I couldn’t agree more with you, there’s just so much more you could get out of an in person group vs online and it’s sad how little are offered. I’m also in a bigger city and was saddened, but also inspired by the lack of existing support groups, knowing how beneficial they could potentially be. Thank you again- I appreciate your response and hope more of these can be created in the future!

[Gbrooklyn303]

i would be interested. Google meeting, Zoom or something like that.