In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic. The help may take the form of providing and evaluating relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to and accepting others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also work to inform the public or engage in advocacy.

History

Formal support groups may appear to be a modern phenomenon, but they supplement traditional fraternal organizations such as Freemasonry in some respects, and may build on certain supportive functions (formerly) carried out in (extended) families.

Other types of groups formed to support causes, including causes outside of themselves, are more often called interest groups, advocacy groups, lobby groups, pressure groups or promotional groups. Trade unions and many environmental groups, for example, are interest groups. The term support group in this article refers to peer-to-peer support.

Maintaining contact

Support groups maintain interpersonal contact among their members in a variety of ways. Traditionally, groups have met in person in sizes that allowed conversational interaction. Support groups also maintain contact through printed newsletters, telephone chains, internet forums, and mailing lists. Some support groups are exclusively online (see below).

Membership in some support groups is formally controlled, with admission requirements and membership fees. Other groups are "open" and allow anyone to attend an advertised meeting, for example, or to participate in an online forum.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Tue Dec 8 00:22:25 2009

Support groups or books on being the child of a gay father?
Q. I just found out my dad is gay. I'm looking for online support groups or books for those like me. It's not something I can talk to my mates about, plus I'd like to chat with others who are dealing with the same thing. Any ideas?
Asked by *Olivia*Willoughby* - Mon Nov 24 00:34:43 2008 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Try emptyclosets.com It is a community based site with discussion boards. Teens from all over the world. I am sure there are some there who have been where you are now. If not I am sure they would be able to help you find information.
Answered by Antdak - Mon Nov 24 00:53:01 2008

Are there any good free weight loss support groups online?
Q. I am looking for any online support groups where people actually talk (not just a blog site) so I can get some support while I am trying to lose weight. Problem is, I can't afford weight watchers or anything like that. Any ideas?
Asked by AmyJo C - Thu Jul 27 13:53:17 2006 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Try TOPS, (TAking off Pounds Sensibly) It still has a fee but it is less than one week of Weight Watchers for a whole year. They have a toll free number you can call as well.
Answered by Jamie - Thu Jul 27 13:58:54 2006

Is there any support groups for skinny or underweight teenagers?
Q. You always hear about fat or obese people and ways to lose weight what about people that are skinny or under their normal weight I am a young gay male student in Montreal trying to be more active Does anyone knows if there are groups that help or support young people to be more active like doing out or in door activities like swimming, biking, dancing etc for free or for a very low cost
Asked by Sam - Tue Aug 25 17:59:21 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Eating disorders are real and deadly... Talk to your doctor...
Answered by david s - Tue Aug 25 18:03:52 2009

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Support Groups"
Wed Jan 6 16:30:18 2010

See also:

  • American Self-Help Group ClearinghouseAmerican Self-Help Group Clearinghouse
    selfhelpgroups.org
    Database of over 900 national and international self-help support groups for various health problems. Local self-help clearinghouses worldwide. How-to's on starting groups.
  • Health DiariesHealth Diaries
    healthdiaries.com
    A community of people writing diaries and blogs about personal experiences with health conditions from cancer to mental health.
  • Accordant.comAccordant.com
    accordant.com
    Free self-help resources for those whose lives are touched by disease.
Custom search only Support Groups sites:

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Tue Dec 8 03:49:16 2009
Ministry offers cancer and pain support groups - NewsoftheNorth.Net
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Ministry offers cancer and pain support groups

NewsoftheNorth.Net

The James Beck Cancer Center located at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander offers a free monthly Cancer Support Group , which meets the second Thursday of ...



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Support groups offer residents hope during winter - NCAdvertiser.com
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Support groups offer residents hope during winter

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I think more men might be helped if they knew what the groups did and could do for them, he added. In addition to the support group being offered at the ...
Wellness Briefs Posted on Jan. 4, 2010 - Shore News Today
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Wellness Briefs Posted on Jan. 4, 2010

Shore News Today

The Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families in Northfield offers peer support groups for children and adults who are grieving the death of a loved ...

From Google News Search: "Support Groups"
Wed Jan 6 16:30:22 2010

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Support Groups Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Support Group For people with osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Support Group Meets first Tuesday of the month

From Yahoo Image Search: "Support Groups"
Wed Jan 6 16:30:24 2010

Eating Disorder Treatments How Support - Eating Disorder ...
ideamarketers.com
Eating Disorder Treatments How Support - Eating Disorder ...

unknown

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:43:30 GM

Eating Disorder Treatments: How . Support Groups. Can Help. When it comes to eating disorders, it is good to know that there are treatments that a person can go through to be able to recover from this condition. ...

Babysitting: Nanny Support Groups - Adventures in Babysitting
chicagonow.com
Babysitting: Nanny Support Groups - Adventures in Babysitting

Genevieve Thiers

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:14:10 GM

This is their list of nanny . support groups. nationwide that you can call on if you need to talk. (Of course, you're always welcome to call Sittercity too--888-211-97​49 will reach us any day, 7am to 7pm central time.) ...

'Aryan Support Groups ' Against Obamacare
usmessageboard.com
'Aryan Support Groups ' Against Obamacare

William Joyce

ue, 22 Dec 2009 01:11:21 GM

Dude, I have not heard of Aryan . Support Groups. ! Breitbart.tv Senator: Opponents of Health Bill are Birthers, Right-Wing Militias, Aryan . Groups. I would like to join one. I am Aryan, I . support. Aryans, I would also like some . support. . ...

From Google Blog Search: "Support Groups"
Wed Jan 6 16:30:26 2010