Studies suggest that nearly 17 million American adults suffer from at least one massive bout of depression per year. Those who faced it can only understand its gravity and difficulty in coming out of this. It can hit someone anytime. And when it happens, you need immediate support. A depressed person cannot have the patience to wait for business hours.
That’s why the government and medical fields are trying to figure out the best solutions to this issue. One of them is the emergence of online support systems. There are decent numbers of depression support groups. Some of them go beyond providing generic support. So here is a quick look into them.
Get help for your mental health condition by Martin Polanco
24X7 chat support
Some companies offer round-the-clock support to friends, families, caregivers, and individuals. You can find out the group of people you can identify with based on needs and challenges. These general groups can focus on post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and bereavement, and depression, etc.
At the same time, if you have any specific medical condition, you can look for that also, whether it is about diabetes, cancer, scleroderma, and others. These platforms allow registered members to discuss the matter in their selected community. However, the comments have to go through the level of moderation to ensure these are not hurtful. You can join these chat groups for free.
Martin Polanco says that having someone there for you all the time, even if that means through chat, can be hugely helpful. However, you need to know that these groups are more about written communication. So you can find the interaction process a little slow. Another thing is you have to be careful about the advice shared in groups. They may not necessarily be authentic. Before trying any suggestions, you can consult your doctor first.
One-on-one support systems
Some online counselling platforms connect you with family therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and certified counsellors at affordable charges. You have to register with them, and they can help you connect with a suitable therapist based on your background, including depression. You can reach out to the person through messaging and video chats. However, these services may not be adequate for crisis and self-harm cases.
Support group for postpartum depression
About 13% of females in America suffer from postpartum depression. To be precise, at least one in eight women faces it. But this doesn’t affect only mothers; fathers and partners can also struggle. There can be adjustment issues for everyone. So some support groups focus on this aspect along with others. They hold weekly meetings to spread awareness among families and caregivers. They offer support through phone and texts.
One of the benefits of joining any of these groups is that you don’t feel alone during your depressive episode. Plus, the ability to connect with someone who may understand your problem more than your unaware family or friends helps you avoid a sense of unnecessary embarrassment. And when somebody is ready to listen to you, it makes you feel supported, which can be uplifting.
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