How Do I Choose the Best Schizophrenia Support Group?

Finding the best schizophrenia support group means understanding your needs or the needs of a sufferer you are trying to help. It also means doing research into the available support groups in your local area. Finding groups that offer the support you need takes time and patience, but in the long run, making the right decision can change a life. Schizophrenia is a traumatic and debilitating mental illness that requires understanding, treatment and, most of all, compassion. As well as finding the best medical aid possible for a patient, it is important to also find a good schizophrenia support group. Support groups are an important part of learning to deal with the problem of schizophrenia. They offer help, advice and understanding in a world where, too often, it is absent.

First, choose which type of schizophrenia support group you would like to attend or you would like your friend or relative to attend. There are two basic types of schizophrenia support group: ones led by fellow sufferers in peer-support groups and those led by mental health professionals. Both types of support group have their benefits and their drawbacks. It is important to decide which type you want.

It may be that options are limited where you live. There are many regional groups of both kinds, but where there are less people, there are often less options. Big cities tend to have the most options. If there are no such support groups in your immediate area, determine those you can access by car or by public transport.

Check with your local mental health organization. The nature of this organization changes from country to country, but your personal doctor, local hospital or social service office will be able to give you advice on this matter. Furthermore, there are a number of organizations online that help people find the peer and professional schizophrenia support groups in their area. Sites in America, for example, include the American Self-Help Clearinghouse and the Directory of Consumer-Driven Services.

Websites and web communities run by and dedicated to schizophrenia sufferers also provide help and support. These might not be as in-depth or as emotionally satisfying as real-life support groups, but they can provide support for people. They make an excellent first stepping stone towards recovery because you can connect to fellow sufferers.

Once you have found local, national or online support groups, check out the services they offer. You need to find the services that best suit you or the sufferer you are trying to help. Most schizophrenia support groups offer general services such as meetings, support and events to bring people together and to discuss their experiences. Others might offer more in-depth counseling.

Examine each group in turn, checking out the information and websites concerning each schizophrenia support group to find out what it does and what it offers. Meet with the organizers and do not be afraid to attend a sample event or meeting to test the waters. If you feel they are wrong for you, it is OK not to come again and to look elsewhere.