Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition. According to stats, it affects over 40 million U.S adults yearly. In addition, due to the pandemic, there has been a global increase in anxiety and depression cases. Dealing with anxiety can feel very isolating and lonely. But with a robust support system, you can get the help you need. Support groups can be beneficial when dealing with anxiety. They provide a safe place for you to explore your feelings with other people going through a similar experience. We’ve put together some of the best anxiety support groups.
Our Pick for the Best Support Groups
- Overall Best Pick: Support Group Central
- Best Pick for Immediate Support: Inspire by Mental Health America
- Best Pick for One-on-One Support: 7 Cups
- Best Pick for Peer-to-Peer: The Tribe
- Best Pick for Joining Multiple Groups: com
How We Made Our Picks
These are the criterion used to make our picks for the best anxiety support groups:
- Accuracy of information provided by the platform
- Participation rules and guidelines
- Participation processes
- Reviews
- Staff Credentials
- Price
- Mode/type of support the platform offers
Overall Best Pick
Support Group Central
Support Group Central is a platform that offers a wide range of support groups for a wide range of conditions. It is accessible and available in over 120 countries. Members can get support via video or audio, depending on their preference. Trained professionals also lead it. Groups are mostly free, but some groups charge a small fee.
Best Pick for Immediate Support
Inspire by Mental Health America
Inspire is a free platform that offers members 24/7 access to support. It is a non-profit organization whose staff are professionally trained to give members the support they need. Members can get free anxiety screening tests, early identification, and intervention support. They also offer peer-to-peer support, and members can get support for a wide range of mental health conditions.
Best Pick for One on One Support
For one-on-one support, our top pick is 7 Cups. They have trained volunteers who offer one-on-one support in a private chat room. Asides from trained volunteers, members can also get support from peers and licensed professionals. Unfortunately, you have to pay $150 monthly to get unlimited access to licensed professionals. But access to trained volunteers is free.
Best Pick for Peer-to-Peer
For peer-to-peer support, our top pick is The Tribe. Members can get peer-to-peer support for a wide range of mental health conditions. They have various communities where you can meet people with similar experiences. It is a free platform, and it also offers wellness tools.
Best Pick for Joining Multiple Groups
With SupportGroups.com, you can join as many support groups as you need. They provide support for individuals and groups, i.e., families, friends, etc. It is a free platform, and they offer support via discussion forums.
What to Look for When Choosing an Anxiety Support Group
- Online or In-person Support Groups
It is important to define if you prefer in-person or online support as this will filter
- Type of Support
Support groups usually take different forms. Some are done face to face via calls, videos, or discussion forums. Some are peer-to-peer, while others are one-on-one. It would help if you decided what works best for you.
- How is it led?
Support groups are sometimes led by trained individuals, professionals, regular individuals, or not led by anyone. A moderator is usually appointed within the group.
While anxiety support groups are not a substitute for getting professional care, they can be very helpful in managing anxiety in your day-to-day life. They can also give you the support system you need to manage anxiety.
