Self-help support groups

Self-help groups for depression bring people who have experience of depression together to share their knowledge and offer support. 

Meeting people in similar situations, can be a good way to learn positive ways of coping with depression and can help you feel less alone.

It can be a bit daunting to go along to your first group, but there’s no pressure to talk at the start if you don’t want to. Just sit in and listen.

All groups should have a strict confidentiality agreement in place, so nothing you say will be shared with people outside the group. If you are concerned about this, check with the group leader before you join the group.

In Scotland, Action on Depression currently organises groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Other organisations and people also run groups throughout Scotland. Visit the Action on Depression website for details of groups in your area.

Visit our community pages to find out about our monthly live chat and forum where you can talk online to other people with depression.

Follow this link to find out more about short courses offering a more structured approach to self help.

Do you want to set up a
self-help support group?

We may be able to help you set up a support group. For more information about starting your own self-help group, please email us.