You Are Not Alone: Bipolar Support Groups and Resources
Here’s how to find people who get you and accept you.
Hey, friend. Your mental health is important. Even if you feel like you are doing okay, it’s important to have support. Everyone can benefit from having people in their lives who care. Social support is crucial for those living with bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. Having a strong support system is the go-to tip from mental health experts for managing bipolar disorder.f
What about family and friends? Isn’t the support from them enough? Seeking out people beyond your family and friends for support can be helpful. This is where support groups come in handy. Support groups connect people facing similar challenges (i.e., bipolar disorder).
Benefits of Bipolar Support Groups
People in support groups usually have a lot in common—they're dealing with similar struggles and even things like side effects and finding the right treatment. Being part of a support group gives you a chance to connect with others who truly understand what you're going through. It’s a great form of self-help for bipolar disorder. A support group can help you feel:
Less isolated or lonely
More in control of your life
More understood and accepted
More hopeful about living with bipolar disorder
It can also help you stay motivated, keep you accountable, and help you learn more about bipolar disorder. Support groups can also help you pick up the pieces after a manic episode.
Are There Support Groups for Bipolar Disorder?
Absolutely! Help is available. And you deserve it.
There are so many organizations that provide support for people living with bipolar disorder. Support groups come in many different shapes and sizes. Even if you can’t realistically get to in-person support groups, there are plenty of online options available. Online support groups can be helpful for their convenience and anonymity.
One of the best things about support groups is that most are free! Here are some support groups to check out if things feel a bit too heavy lately.
Bipolar Support Groups
Here are a few bipolar support groups/communities.:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides information and resources for people who have mood disorders. DBSA meetings are available both in-person and virtually. Click here to find DBSA support groups near me.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - NAMI Connection is an in-person/virtual support group for people living with mental illness. It’s also available in Spanish.
TrevorSpace - The Trevor Project runs a moderated online support community for LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13-24 years old. The Trevor Project is focused on suicide prevention. They also have a crisis hotline that is staffed by trained counselors and available 24/7.
Facebook - Facebook groups can be all over the place sometimes, but there are actually some gems in the mix. If you’re dealing with bipolar disorder, there are quite a few support groups worth checking out—just be ready to scroll past any that seem sketchy.
Other Ways To Find a Bipolar Support Group
If the above options don’t work for you, you can try asking your therapist, psychiatrist, or doctor for a referral to a local support group. They may know of other options.
Things To Keep in Mind
Support groups can be very helpful, but they’re not a replacement for professional therapy. They are not the same thing as group therapy. Support groups are usually run by peers or volunteers, not licensed mental health therapists. Group therapy, on the other hand, is facilitated by therapists.
Related: Therapy for bipolar disorder
Some support groups are more helpful than others. It may take some time to find the right fit. Similarly, just as you’d shop around for a psychiatrist or a therapist who feels like a good fit, you should also shop around for a support group that is a good fit for you.
