The importance of support groups.

Something that I have not mentioned before, is that once a fortnight I attend a support group called Little Steps. This small group is run under the auspices of Steps To Well Being,  a free NHS service for anyone aged 18+ and registered to a GP within Dorset and Hampshire who live with a range of Mental Health issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress and OCD.

It, Little Steps, is a friendly, no pressure and most importantly safe environment, where people with all manner of Mental Health issues can meet, chat, have a cup of tea and a biscuit, or even cake with people who you know really understand and where you know you will not be judged.

I have used the term Mental Health issues twice in this blog. But the point of and in my opinion one of the most important, arguably the most important point of Little Steps is that your mental health is not an issue. It is one of the few places that you can go where that is the case. Members of the group do sometimes get upset, that’s fine. You know that everyone in the room knows what it is like. Sure, we may not have gone through what they have, but we have all gone through different situations that have a direct affect on our own mental health.

Today, I disclosed something to the group, that I literally have never told anyone, maybe I will speak about it on here one day, maybe not. The point is that it felt safe to do so. I had no intentions of saying it when I left home, it just came out. The group just gave me so much support it was incredible. Not every one spoke, they didn’t need to. Support can be felt as well as heard.

I must at this point, thank Rob who facilitates the group.  He is an amazing man and it is only through his support and encouragement that I found the strength to go back to my GP during a very black time not so long ago. That visit resulted in my being referred to the local CMHT and being accepted into their care, I am still awaiting treatment, however!

You may have guessed that not only am I a huge fan of Little Steps, but am also extremely grateful for them.

I suppose one of the points that I want to get across is this. If you, like me, live with mental health issue(s), or know someone that does, maybe its even someone in your immediate family, do a bit of research. There could well be a support group in your area. If there is, then please either make contact with them, for yourself, or on behalf of someone else. I am not exaggerating when I say it could literally save your or their life. Don’t get me wrong, you do not have to be in a desperate situation to attend a support group, just in need of a bit of support, help and dare I say even love and understanding to get you through difficult times.

Support groups ROCK!