INTRODUCTION OF SUPPORT GROUP & ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP Essay

With increased levels of stress and psychological demand, the need for peer support and networking is evident. Both face-to-face and online options are available for support. One method of peer support is through online social networking support. Online support of the parents has been shown to significantly increase self-efficacy in managing diabetes¹³. Parents share experiences and provide support to one another leading to a positive impact in dealing with the distress of managing diabetes¹⁴.

Moreover, social media can be very beneficial to patients suffering from chronic conditions as well as their family and friends (Norton & Strauss, 2013). For rare diseases local community support groups may not be available. Social media steps in to fill this void by offering users a variety of different online support groups, blogs, newsletters, and networks. Individuals can use such resources to reach out to others with similar issues, find much needed support during difficult times, and become aware of treatments and medications that worked for others with their same illness that may prompt them to contact their doctor about other possibilities in treatment options. When used properly, smartphones and social media can be very beneficial to healthcare providers and patients.

Over the last 30 years, the methods of human interactions have grown explosively, from face-to-face conversations, to video calling, instant messaging, texting, Facebook, Youtube, Snapchat, and Instagram. As the technology we surround ourselves with pervades an increasing number of aspects in our lives, it has begun to affect our mental health. A Carnegie Mellon study concluding that internet usage leads to significant increases in loneliness and depression received U.S. national media coverage (Kraut, Patterson, et al., 1998). However, others argue that the internet may just provide a place of refuge for those suffering from loneliness, anxiety, and depression. (McKenna and Bargh, 59)

The group is considered a support group because it consists of women who share the same experience and seek comfort with one another. “Support groups bring

By being in a group, we can be exposed to other perspectives on our problems that we may have never considered. Group therapy is very effective to bring about changes in the member’s.

Support groups have evolved drastically to the point that participants are learning and teaching others about similar arguments and coping skills. These groups reinforce professional and non-professional procedures for the better good of the community, as well as providing individuality for certain groups of people. At the same time, participants are becoming intimated by society and the stigmas they place upon support groups. Although support groups might have some negative understanding from society, there are also benefits that overcome the public stigma, and helps the community and its civilians to disseminate information on research, treatment, resources, and methods of coping. With that in mind, support groups of any kind helps everyone in need.

Community-based support group observation and reaction paper is the first assignment that has to be completed for my class Social Work with Groups. In this assignment, I will discuss how I located the support group of my choice, what I was able to observe in the group session, and feelings or reactions I had during the process. This assignment will give a look into my first experience attending a real-life support group session from the other side of the coin. On this occasion, I was able to experience it from the point of view of a group member and not a facilitator which is definitely a shift in roles. Being able to go through this experience gives me the opportunity to experience a session firsthand and be able to observe and identify

Self-help groups are used when the individual is ready to get help or is forced to attend. These groups attempt to have you

In the Time article “Teen Depression and Anxiety: Why the Kids Are Not Alright,” the author, Susanna Schrobsdorff, discusses the current generation’s increase in mental health disorders, specifically anxiety and depression. Schrobsdorff states a major cause of these disorders is the generation’s inability to find a “firm line between their real and online world”. The article uses statistics from studies, and the experience of several human sources, to strengthen the authors claim and give real world perspective of how mental disorders affect not only the person with the mental disorder, but also their family.

Support groups have been increasing in popularity, support has been shown to increase well-being among specific groups in order to address their specific problems or concerns. Social media has been on the rise as well, and the two concepts have combined to be an effective outlet, such as in the case of health and dealing with a chronic condition. This has been shown to be a productive way for people to discuss the stress that they will encounter with learning to manage their disease.

Groups help diminish feelings of shame and loneliness that are often linked with these illnesses. With this option, patients receive support from other individuals undergoing the same or similar treatment. These support groups may also aid in treating anxiety and help patients to strength social skills. Like many support groups, gathering allows individuals to see the recovery process in themselves and others. Relationship ties that are formed may inspire and individuals even after completing eating disorder therapy. Types of group therapy include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Meal Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Dance and Movement Therapy, Group Art Therapy, Mindfulness & Yoga, and Group Fitness

The practicum project conducted for CONR 643P_B included an internship for 7 Cups of Tea (7COT), an online support service for individuals in need of social, mental and emotional support. Services were provided through the process of active and reflective listening in an anonymous computer-mediated setting. On the 7 Cups of Tea website, active listening provides a podium for providing support, fashioning a community and instituting a network of constituents dedicated to destigmatizing mental health and providing unbiased support to anyone in need.

Even though computer mediated communication is cost effective, there are still some people who do have access to the internet. Since health care professionals do not facilitate most publicly accessible groups, opportunities exist for the appearance of inaccurate, dangerous, or mistaken medical information (Winzeler, 1997). Misinterpretation plays a large role in online support groups. The absence of visual and aural cues can be a disadvantage. Without facial expressions, touch, vocal tone and inflection, eye contact, and body language, many online support group members use a paralanguage composed of brackets, embedded text, capitalization, emoticons and acronyms (Galinksy, 1994). Groups are open continuously to new membership. In addition to new members joining an established group, other online members may log on or log off at any time during a session. Such fluctuations in membership make it difficult for online groups to engage in the typical group phases of warm-up, action and closure or to maintain the working stage of group development for extended periods. This limitation reduces the efficacy of online support groups as a sole support source for some members (Gary, 2000). The hosting of and participation in online support group raises some ethical and legal questions that currently remain unanswered. Currently, it is unclear if the online support

‘Friends and family tried to help, but our relationships had changed in the face of grief,’ she says. ‘Most did not know how to deal with the situation’” (Stich 2). Also computers help those who are from a low- income household and when they are given internet access it helps them become better readers. In addition, Facebook makes shyness disappear. “Facebook is for shy people as water is for the thirsty” (Rosenwald 1). Sometimes the internet improves lives in building relationships, and can be used as a bridge. “Facebook is a crutch, feeling more comfortable with digital friends than personal ones” (Rosenwald 2). But are these the only good things related with using the internet?

With the invention of the internet, we gained the ability to connect with people from all around the world. It gives patients an opportunity to create social connection between those who has recovered from the same illness or is experiencing the same thing. The act of blogging has all the elements of effective coping techniques if used correctly. If the commenters are unable to express their concern due to bloggers poor attitude, then it is useless. Internet blogging allows for the creation of connections that will provide positive feedback, therefore decreasing the amount of stress experienced and proving to be an effective way to cope.