Confused about different types of groups

[ABC01]

Dear All,

 I am slightly confused about the different types of groups available to participate in.

 I have found a support group and a social group.

Are there any other types of groups?

My understanding is that a support group is to introduce yourself, tell how your time has been going and discuss how you may cope(as in strategies or techniques that work for you,so other can hear them). For the particular topic of the support group. And then others in the group do the same. It is a supportive environment. But there is no education component. As in a lesson on the topic.

A social group is to meet like minded people or people in a similar situation, but instead of discussing these feelings, is an outlet to meet people and have a coffee and chat. Not too heavy or deep. Also may allow people to get out of the house and the group members understand how hard it is for people to have done that. Also no educational component.

Is this correct?
Are there any other group types in relation to mental health that I am not aware off?

Thank you for reading,

ABC01

[Croix]

Dear ABC01~

You have the right idea. This place is called the Support Forum and is basically for people to talk about their conditions, the problems they face and also the ways they have coped. It is an interchange of experiences between ordinary people, not clinicians.

All the areas are listed at the top of each page under the word FORUMS, you scroll down to find the one you want

As you point out there is no formal education on the Forum, just the collective wisdom from the members. If you want formal education concerning a condition such as anxiety then you  would go to the place describing it on the main Beyond Blue website

If you wanted to know what members have said you could go to this thread in the  Forum:

Self Help Tips for Managing Anxiety

(it is very long but packed wiht good ideas)

As this is at times a rather bleak place we have a social area when one can have chats not dealing with illness, but ordinary talk and fun such as:

The  BB Café or Worst Joke Wednesday

I hope this helps

Croix

[ABC01]

Dear Croix,

That does help. But I wasn’t asking in regards to Beyond Blue forums.

I was asking in terms to outside this forum. As I am currently exploring other ways to find helpful outlets. So I was wondering if there were more than two types of groups to explore?

Thank you for your reply,as I didn’t know some of that information too.

ABC01

[Croix]

Dear ABC01~

If you want to learn more about a particular mental illness one of the best ways is to visit the Mindsppot Clinic. There you can be assessed and offered a range of self paced on line courses of treatment. It is free and very professional. Clinicians are available as you do a course and they liaise with your GP if you want.

I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, however the triage process followed by the course do give you a pretty good understanding about things.

If you want a face to face support group they may be one in your area depending on the nature of the matter you are interested in. One place to look is the Blackdog Institute which list a small number of  groups nationally.

Again I'm not sure if I'm answering your question, if not perhaps you might like to give us a more complete idea of what you had in mind.

Croix

[ABC01]

Dear Croix,

Thank you for that information,

I have bookmarked them. Mindspot in particular.

What I wanted to know is if there is only support and social groups. Not any other types? So that I may attend them online or in person. Those are the only two that I know of by title.

But you have been very informative.

Thank-you for your help.

ABC01