Support Groups

Onyx Support Groups

 

Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. For example, this common ground might be depression, chronic medical conditions, addiction, bereavement or caregiving. A support group provides an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about treatments. A support group among people with shared experiences may function as a bridge between medical and emotional needs.

 

Structure of support groups

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Onyx Support groups are held online through platforms such as Zoom, and may be led by a professional facilitator, such as a nurse, social worker or psychologist, depending on the topic of support.

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Some support groups may offer educational opportunities, such as a guest doctor, psychologist, nurse or social worker to talk about a topic related to the group's needs. Support groups are not the same as group therapy sessions. Group therapy is a specific type of mental health treatment that brings together several people with similar conditions under the guidance of a licensed mental health care provider.

 

 

Getting the most out of a support group

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When you join a new support group, you may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you don't know. At first, you may benefit from simply listening. Over time, however, contributing your own ideas and experiences may help you get more out of a support group. Try a support group for a few weeks. If it doesn't feel like a good fit for you, you can discuss different therapy options with us, by contacting admin@onyxstudents.com

 

Benefits of support groups

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The common experience among members of a support group often means they have similar feelings, worries, everyday problems, treatment decisions or treatment side effects. Participating in a group provides you with an opportunity to be with people who are likely to have a common purpose and likely to understand one another.

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Benefits of participating in a support group may include:

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• Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged

• Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue

• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings

• Improving skills to cope with challenges

• Staying motivated to manage conditions or stick to treatment plans

• Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope

• Improving understanding of a condition and your own experience with it

• Learning about health, economic or social resources

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Benefits of online groups include:

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• More frequent or flexible participation

• Opportunities for people who may not have local face-to-face support groups

• A degree of privacy or anonymity

 

Support groups vary in how they are organized and led. Before joining a support group, please see the frequently asked questions. 

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