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Support GroupsSupport groups bring together people who have navigated similar challenges. These gatherings are not the same as group therapy, which involves a small group of individuals receiving counseling from a licensed therapist. Support groups are typically free, run by a peer or unregulated facilitator, and may meet in person or virtually. The groups provide support, inspiration, and can build a sense of community and safety for individuals suffering from losses or illness.
Learning from others' experiences can help people navigate bureaucracy more effectively and gain practical tips. But support groups, unlike professional counseling, are not bound by confidentiality laws. Though they often rely on principles of trust and understanding, information shared in these gatherings may not stay private.
Though the idea of benefiting from peer experience dates back centuries, Alcoholics Anonymous, founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, is typically considered the first modern support group. It remains one of the most common and well-known support groups today, alongside Narcotics Anonymous.Explore Support Groups
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Grief cannot be rushed through—it's a process and support groups can helpFinding your way after the death of a spouse can be aided by attending a regular and consistent grief group. The people attending those gatherings are uniquely poised to understand what you may be experiencing. The Dr. Laura PodcastPrivate Facebook groups are acting as an entryway to support groupsMany groups are findable via search but only members can see their content. Others are "secret"—meaning an existing member must invite you to become part of it. But they're all free, remote, and potentially accessible 24/7. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) The AtlanticSome bereavement support groups prohibit dating other membersThis in-depth podcast covers many aspects of grieving and support. One aspect it discusses is that people may naturally feel a connection with others who are going through similar experiences and may want to build community that way, including pursuing romantic relationships. Such liaisons may be off-putting to some participants and that's why some groups prohibit dating other support group members. Huberman LabSupport groups may not be private and can suddenly change focusSexual assault survivors that had gathered on a Facebook support group were shocked when administrators suddenly changed the group into one for sharing erotica. Its members were trolled, and ultimately, it was unclear whether its creators had planned for this shocking shift or if the group had been hacked. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) WIREDSupport groups can offer insights into current and potential treatmentsBeyond connecting with patients with similar experiences, support groups can also become centers for advocacy and for sharing research advances and medical experiences, including potential side effects from novel therapies or clinical trials. All Things AmyloidSupport groups are typically free, which makes them widely accessibleThe groups are typically run by someone with the same illness or set of experiences and can provide clear, practical knowledge about navigating healthcare resources, bureaucracy, and more. Since they function on trust, however, there are no legal confidentiality prohibiting people from sharing what's discussed. What's more, group leaders may not be uniformly trained or certified. US News & World ReportAccountability can be why some people like support groupsGroup camaraderie and peer support encourage people to continually connect through a support group and push participants to reflect, share, and find connection as they navigate through their lives. Put the Shovel DownPositive role models are a benefit of support groupsMeeting individuals who are going through similar life experiences or navigating similar health journeys can provide inspiration and be a benefit of attending in-person or online support groups. Cleveland ClinicSupport groups offer support, safety, and the relief of common experienceGathering—virtually or otherwise—with people going through a similar experience or navigating the same disease can make someone feel like they're part of a larger community. Participants can receive and offer support, and potentially learn tips that could improve their quality of life or lead them to other resources. Psychology TodayHow supplements and alternative medicine are being used to treat MSMS patients often use complementary and alternative medicine approaches for MS, including acupuncture, yoga, specific diets, herbs like turmeric, and cannabis. Information on integrative approaches often come from support groups and online communities. Complementary care is typically used in conjunction with traditional medicines. MS Living WellSetting up a support group could be as simple as informally gathering in your kitchenGroups may be as varied as an ad-hoc group that gets together to share information and encouragement or a longer-term group with a stated purpose and a facilitator, or perhaps look like anything in between. The Well ProjectGrieving primate mothers will carry dead infant for long after death—and others will comfort herAn examination of infant corpse carrying practices among non-human primate mothers found that 40 species of primate mothers will carry around their dead infant for days, weeks, or even months. In some cases, a grieving primate's group members would provide grieving support—hugging or staying close to mothers who experienced a loss. University College LondonGroup therapy is not the same thing as a support groupGroup therapy, facilitated by a licensed therapist, is typically covered by insurance or involves a fee. Support groups are often peer-led and usually come with no cost. Helpguide.orgDanish moms have a built-in support group through the healthcare systemLocal Danish health departments put these groups together, assigning mothers into small support groups comprised of mothers in roughly the same area who gave birth around the same time. The purpose of the groups is to create a supportive network of new parents who can benefit from one another's experiences. The group's mothers decide how often to meet and what to discuss. Municipality of CopenhagenUSA Today asked readers about their grief—and received more than 700 responsesThe submissions included one moving story of two women whose sons died by drug overdose. The duo wrote that they found each other in a support group and decided to navigate their respective difficult situations by starting a podcast together called "Two Moms with Two Dead Kids," which focused on what life was like in the years following the deaths of their children. USA TODAYGrieving is a process—no need to rush social activities or major life decisions, if possibleIndividuals experiencing grief may find comfort through counseling, online support groups, support books, and activities like volunteering. Each of these resources can help individuals build a community or new daily patterns when navigating intense anguish. National Institute on AgingDorothea Lange's photos of US concentration camps were censoredLange, who took some of the most iconic photos of the 20th century, was hired by the United States government in 1942 to document the "relocation" of Japanese-Americans into concentration camps. When military commanders saw her work, however, they censored it, even suggesting some of the images should be "Impounded." Anchor EditionsA lunar 'satellite catapult' revives a 50-year-old idea for launching rocketsElon Musk has proposed building a mass driver on the moon to fling satellites into space, exploiting low gravity to cut fuel and costs. The concept dates to 1970s space-settlement studies, highlighting how older industry ideas are resurfacing amid today's AI and space-infrastructure race. SpaceFintech could help democratize access to bankingMore than 1.3 billion adults worldwide do not have access to basic banking services as of this writing—but some experts believe that the fintech industry can help with that by targeting groups of people who have historically been underserved by traditional banks. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)In 1922, the Ku Klux Klan tried to ban private educationThe white supremacist organization was also staunchly anti-Catholic and sought to outlaw parochial schools by passing legislation that forced parents to send their children to public institutions. University of WashingtonExplore the schedule of a three-month YC batchDuring the three months that founders accepted into Y Combinator spend on YC’s California campus, they receive mentorship from YC partners, networking opportunities, and, overall, a ton of time to build and scale their companies. Y CombinatorAsteroids were discovered by 18th-century planet huntersWhile looking for a planet between Mars and Jupiter to coincide with an apparent mathematical pattern in the distances of known planets from the sun, a group calling themselves the "Celestial Police" discovered multiple objects that fell into a new classification. European Space AgencyMedicare vs. Medicaid explained in 60 secondsMedicare and Medicaid both provide government-funded healthcare but serve different groups. Medicare, launched in 1965, covers those 65 and over and has three parts: hospital stays (A), outpatient care (B), and prescriptions (D). Medicaid, funded by federal and state governments, supports low-income individuals, with eligibility varying by state. 1440Revolution and performance art in RussiaIn the wake of Vladimir Putin’s 2011 announcement that he would run for office for a fourth consecutive term, a group of Russian women formed a “punk protest art collective” called Pussy Riot. Their performances were largely staged in public stages representative of repressive political forces like the Orthodox Church. The group became a household name when three members were convicted of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred,” inspiring displays of support from across the world. HASTAIs workaholism real?Though work addiction is not officially recognized as a medical condition, it mirrors many patterns of other behavioral disorders. This exploration from BBC News examines the issue through Workaholics Anonymous, with a special focus on firsthand accounts from support group members. BBC News
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