Group support

A lot of people also find it helpful to go along to self-help groups to talk to other people who have depression or anxiety. Self-help groups bring people together who have experience of depression to share their knowledge and offer support. Because it gives you a chance to meet people in similar situations they can be a good way to learn positive ways of coping with depression and can help you feel less alone.

Self-help groups are usually run by volunteers and will work on two important principles: confidentiality and respect. 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. Groups have been set up as a way of offering mutual support, so most will be based on ideas of respecting each other’s views and experiences.

Finding a group

In Scotland, Depression Alliance Scotland runs groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. Other organisations and people also run groups throughout Scotland. Visit the Depression Alliance Scotland website for details of groups in your area. We've also got an online group on this website.

There are also short Living Life to the Full courses in the Lothians, the Highlands and online.

Stu “I was a bit nervous when I first turned up at the group and was glad that I was not put under any pressure to speak, unless I wanted to. I found listening to other people’s experiences very helpful and could identify with many of their issues.”

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Group support
A lot of people also find it helpful to go along to self-help groups to talk to other people who have depression or anxiety. Self-help groups bring people together who have experience of depression to share their knowledge and offer support. Because it gives you a chance to meet people in similar situations they can be a good way to learn positive ways of coping with depression and can help you feel less alone. Self-help groups are usually run by volunteers and will work on two important principles: confidentiality and respect. 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. Groups have been set up as a way of offering mutual support, so most will be based on ideas of respecting each other’s views and experiences. Finding a group In Scotland, Depression Alliance Scotland runs groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. Other organisations and people also run groups throughout Scotland. Visit the Depression Alliance Scotland website for details of groups in your area. We've also got an online group on this website. There are also short Living Life to the Full courses in the Lothians, the Highlands and online.	“I was a bit nervous when I first turned up at the group and was glad that I was not put under any pressure to speak, unless I wanted to. I found listening to other people’s experiences very helpful and could identify with many of their issues.” add your own quote
Brought to you by Depression Alliance Scotland. About Us \| Can you really say 'crap'? \| Funders \| Contact Us
Copyright: DAS, 2010; Last updated: 13/01/10