Online Support Groups
Published February 2026 · Last updated · Written and edited by Paul Paradis · Educational information – not medical or mental-health advice
What changed: Reworded link and heading text without ranking claims: “Best Online Therapy Platforms” to “Online Therapy Platforms Compared”. Earlier on October 29: Replaced 4 em dashes in the text with colons, commas or parentheses (for example “can't—the” became “can't: the” and “caution—peer” became “caution: peer”); changed “just” to “only”; rewrote the note on what this page can and cannot do for you and the author note, which now names this guide.
Reviewed for educational clarity and safety language by Lisa Lewis, RN, BSN
Online support groups offer something therapy alone can't: the experience of connecting with people who truly understand what you're going through, available at no cost and often accessible 24/7. This guide explores how to find and benefit from virtual peer support for mental health, including self-help resources for mental health that complement group participation.
Benefits of Support Groups
- You're not alone: Realizing others share your experiences reduces isolation
- Validation: Having your feelings understood by those who've been there
- Practical wisdom: Learning coping strategies that work from peers
- Hope: Seeing others further along in recovery provides encouragement
- Giving back: Helping others benefits your own wellbeing
- Accountability: Regular check-ins support ongoing progress
- Affordability: Many support groups are free or low-cost. See also free therapy options if you need professional support.
- Complement to therapy: Adds community support to professional care
Types of Online Support Groups
Peer Support Groups
Run by people with lived experience of mental health challenges.
- Focus on mutual support and shared experience
- Members both give and receive support
- Often free or donation-based
Facilitated Groups
Led by a trained facilitator, sometimes a mental health professional.
- More structure and guidance
- Keeps the group respectful and on track
- May include psychoeducational content
Condition-Specific Groups
Focused on particular diagnoses or challenges:
- Depression support groups
- Anxiety and panic groups
- OCD support communities
- Bipolar support groups
- PTSD and trauma survivor groups
- Grief and loss groups. For individual therapy, see our guide to grief-specific counseling.
- Addiction recovery (AA, NA, SMART Recovery)
- Eating disorder support
Identity-Based Groups
- LGBTQ+ mental health support
- Groups for specific ages (teens, older adults)
- Parents with mental health challenges
- Veterans' support groups
- Support for specific professions (healthcare workers, first responders)
Caregiver and Family Groups
For those supporting someone with mental health challenges.
- NAMI Family Support Groups
- Al-Anon for families of those with addiction
- Caregiver burnout support
Where to Find Online Support Groups
Major Organizations
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Free support groups including NAMI Connection for adults with mental illness and NAMI Family Support Group
- DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance): Peer-led groups for depression and bipolar disorder
- ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America): Online peer-to-peer community
- SMART Recovery: Science-based addiction recovery groups
- AA/NA: Traditional 12-step programs with many online meetings
Online Platforms and Apps
- 7 Cups: Free emotional support from trained listeners and community forums
- Wisdo: Peer support communities for various life challenges
- Supportiv: Real-time anonymous peer support
- TalkLife: Peer support app for mental health
- Circles: Group support sessions led by professionals
Community Forums
- Reddit: Communities like r/anxiety, r/depression, r/mentalhealth (use caution: peer support, not professional)
- HealthUnlocked: Health community forums including mental health
- PsychCentral Forums: Long-standing mental health community
Through Therapy Platforms
Some therapy platforms offer group sessions:
Disclosure: No link on this site was placed by hand to pay us a commission, though a script from Sovrn Commerce (VigLink) that runs on every page may turn some ordinary links to outside stores and services into affiliate links that can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. When it converts a link, our page code tags that link rel="sponsored" for search engines, but nothing on screen marks it as paid, so treat any outbound link as one that could earn us money. Our “best” and comparison guides do not score or rank services, and a possible commission never changes which services we list or what we say about them; see the affiliate disclosure.
- BetterHelp - offers group sessions (groupinars)
- Talkspace - primarily individual but some group offerings
What to Look for in a Support Group
- Clear guidelines: Rules about confidentiality, respect, and appropriate sharing
- Moderation: Someone monitoring for safety and healthy dynamics
- Right fit: Group focused on your specific concerns
- Safe environment: Members feel comfortable being honest
- Hopeful tone: Focus on coping and recovery, not only venting
- Regular schedule: Consistent meeting times if it's a live group
- Size: Small enough for meaningful connection
Making the Most of Support Groups
Before Joining
- Identify what you're looking for (validation, practical tips, community)
- Research the group's approach and guidelines
- Check if it requires commitment or is drop-in
- Consider trying a few groups to find the right fit
During Groups
- Listen actively to others
- Share at your comfort level: no pressure to disclose everything
- Be respectful of others' experiences
- Offer support without giving advice (unless asked)
- Follow group guidelines
- Take what helps, leave what doesn't
After Groups
- Reflect on what resonated
- Practice any strategies that seem helpful
- Maintain boundaries: groups support but don't replace your own support system
Support Groups vs. Individual Therapy
These serve different purposes and often complement each other:
| Support Groups | Individual Therapy |
|---|---|
| Peer connection and validation | Professional assessment and treatment |
| Shared lived experience | Clinical expertise |
| Often free or low-cost | Professional fee (may be covered by insurance) |
| Community and belonging | Individual attention to your specific needs |
| Practical coping strategies from peers | Evidence-based treatment |
Many people benefit from both simultaneously.
Cautions and Safety
- Not crisis intervention: If you're in crisis, contact 988 or emergency services, not a support group
- Quality varies: Not all groups are well-run; leave if a group feels harmful
- Privacy: Be cautious about sharing identifying information online
- Not treatment: Support groups complement but don't replace professional care
- Triggering content: Hearing others' struggles can sometimes be difficult
- Bad advice: Peer suggestions aren't always accurate; verify with professionals
- Boundaries: It's okay to step back if a group becomes draining
Professional Support Options
For personalized care alongside or instead of groups:
- BetterHelp - individual online therapy
- Talkspace - messaging and video therapy
- Headway - find in-network therapists
- Grow Therapy - insurance-covered care
Who a group is for, and what it costs
A peer group is for people who want others who recognize the problem. It is not a substitute for a licensed clinician when you need a diagnosis, a medicine, or a safety plan. Most of the national groups are free: NAMI connection groups, DBSA for depression and bipolar, and SMART Recovery for addictive behavior. A paid group inside a therapy subscription is a different product. Ask whether the facilitator is licensed and whether the fee is the group or the whole platform.
Privacy risks
Other members can repeat what you say. A recording, a screenshot, or a group chat that is not covered by a clinical record can leave your control. Use a first name if that is all the group requires, and do not post your address, your child's name, or a crisis plan in a channel other members can scroll.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of joining an online mental health support group?
Online support groups provide connection with others who understand your experiences, reducing isolation. They offer validation, practical coping strategies from peers, hope from seeing others progress in recovery, and accountability through regular check-ins. Most are free or low-cost and complement individual therapy.
Where can I find free online support groups for mental health?
NAMI offers free support groups including NAMI Connection for adults with mental illness and NAMI Family Support Group. DBSA provides peer-led groups for depression and bipolar disorder. 7 Cups offers free emotional support from trained listeners, and SMART Recovery provides science-based addiction recovery groups.
What is the difference between support groups and individual therapy?
Support groups provide peer connection, shared lived experience, and community belonging, often free or low-cost. Individual therapy offers professional assessment, clinical expertise, and personalized treatment from a licensed provider. Many people benefit from both simultaneously as they serve different but complementary purposes.
Are online support groups safe and confidential?
Quality online support groups have clear guidelines about confidentiality and respect. Look for groups with a moderator who keeps discussions respectful. Be cautious about sharing identifying information online. Well-run groups create safe environments, but quality varies, so leave any group that feels harmful.
What should I look for when choosing an online support group?
Look for groups with clear guidelines about confidentiality and respect, active moderation for safety, focus on your specific concerns, a hopeful tone centered on coping and recovery, regular meeting schedules, and small enough size for meaningful connection. Try several groups to find the right fit.
Can online support groups help with specific conditions like anxiety or depression?
Yes, there are condition-specific support groups for depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, grief, eating disorders, and addiction recovery. Organizations like DBSA focus specifically on depression and bipolar disorder, while ADAA hosts online peer-to-peer communities for anxiety and depression.
Related reading on support groups
Before you act on this support groups information
Everything on this support groups page is general education only. None of it is a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or medical advice. Support groups provide peer connection and are not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.
If you are experiencing significant mental health symptoms or crisis, please consult with a licensed mental health professional. For emergencies, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or your local emergency services.
Sources
- NAMI support groups
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- SMART Recovery meetings, which the organization lists as free
- SAMHSA: find help
Who wrote this support groups guide
This support groups guide was written and edited by Paul Paradis, founder and editor of Telehealth Navigator, who spent more than two years working inside a forensic mental health hospital setting, and mental health also runs through his own life and family. His method is to read the source material most readers don’t have time for, which means SAMHSA program documents, CMS telehealth policy, and APA and NIMH guidance, and he turns that reading into plain English, linking each original so you can check his work. Paul is not a licensed clinician, so please treat this support groups guide as information rather than medical advice, and see our editorial standards for the full process of how every guide is researched, reviewed, and updated.