Feeling Disconnected & Homebound? Online Mental Health Communities Offer Support
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Khalil Gibran
If you’re like a great deal of people in the world right now, you may find yourself engaging in “social distancing” by staying at home and away from crowds. It’s natural to feel disconnected from our sources of support and community during times like this. I encourage you to reflect on the idea that so many other people are having very similar experiences as you right now… in this very moment. Truly, you are not alone.
There are many sources of online support, resources, and communities to help you maintain a vital sense of connection during this stressful global time. More than ever, it is times like this that compel us to practice compassion, kindness, and goodwill towards our fellow mankind. We are all in this together and need each other for support.
If you are someone who struggles with a mental health issue or addiction, it may be especially important for your recovery and well-being to maintain a lifeline to the resources and communities that can offer you the greatest support. Fortunately, there are online mental health resources available to access when you find yourself unable to engage with these communities face to face.
Mental Health eResources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Help for Mental Illness
- International OCD Foundation
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): Online Support Group
- Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
- Sidran Institute: Traumatic Stress Education & Advocacy
Recovery eResources:
- In the Rooms: A Global Recovery Community
- Never Alone Club: 24/7 Recovery Community
- AA Online Meetings
- Al-Anon Online Meetings
- NA Online Meetings
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Website
- My Sober Roommate
Online Support Groups:
- 7 Cups: Free Emotional Support
- Mental Health America: Support Group and Discussion Community
- The Tribe: Peer-to-Peer Support Group
- SupportGroups.com: Mental Health, Relationships, Eating Disorders, & More
- Turn2Me: Online Support Group
- Daily Strength: Online Anxiety Support Group
- Sad Girls Club: Instagram Mental Health Community
Featured image: HUG 4 revisited by Barbara Courouble / CC BY-NC 2.0
I’m looking for a free, online support group for a 68 year old woman who is home bound. She is experiencing depression and just needs more social contact. She ran a large insurance office for years and now is inside, due to her physical limitations. She is completely dependent on others for rides etc.