You’re encouraged to explore the multitude of support groups offered in the greater Atlanta area. Support groups can be very helpful for anyone facing a new diagnosis, suffering from a chronic disease or caring for a sick or disabled loved one. The most obvious benefit they provide is an outlet for your emotions and an opportunity to share your experiences with people who can relate.
But don’t overlook a couple of additional meaningful benefits of participating with support groups. First, support groups can be a great source of new friends. Many people impacted by chronic illness withdraw from activities they used to enjoy. This often leads to social isolation and loneliness, which have been shown to negatively impact our overall health and wellbeing. Support groups provide an important opportunity to interact with peers and build new relationships instead of retreating into social isolation.
Finally, once you’ve found a support group you enjoy, you’ll eventually be in a situation to help other people through their challenges. Just as members of support groups help you, your insight and empathy will be invaluable to those who follow. Embracing this type of mission or purpose in your life has also been shown to enhance overall health and wellbeing.
Below is an abridged list of support groups in and around Atlanta, but myriad additional opportunities exist for a wide variety of conditions and throughout the greater metro area. If you need help finding the right group for your situation, feel free to reach out to us for help, or consult with your local hospital, religious organization or healthcare provider.
This list reflects the current publicly available information, but changes are inevitable. Please call to verify meeting information before attending.
