In a support group, members provide each other with various types of nonprofessional, nonmaterial help for a particular shared burdensome characteristic. The help may take the form of providing relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also provide ancillary support, such as serving as a public relations voice or engaging in advocacy.

Maintaining contact

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Support groups maintain interpersonal contact among their members in a variety of ways. Most groups have traditionally met in person in group sizes that allowed conversational interaction. Support groups also maintain contact through printed newsletters, telephone chains, internet forums, and mailing lists. Some support groups are exclusively Online_support_groups.

Membership in some support groups is formally controlled, with admission requirements and membership fees. Other groups are "open" and allow anyone to drop in at an advertised meeting, for example, or to participate in an online forum.

More on [ Support group ]

MedicineNet Depression General

FDA Warning on Stop-Smoking Drugs
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Psychology Today

July 4th: Meaningful Holiday or Excuse to Drink?
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Heavy drinking during the summertime.
Being and Nothingness
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There are two kinds of vacations--doing something and doing nothing.
Natural Element: The Extended Vacation
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PsycPORT.com

People more empathetic to their own race
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:06:51 -0500
July 03, 2009 BEIJING, Jul 3, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A bystander feels more empathy for someone in pain when that person is in the same social group, researchers in China said.
New PTSD program answers need for comprehensive treatment
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:06:51 -0500
July 02, 2009 Jul 02, 2009 (DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- 7/1/2009 - LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Germany (AFNS) -- Symptoms of combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder for wounded warriors include continual nightmares, avoidance behaviors, denial, grief, anger and fear.
TV ads make children choose more junk foods
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:06:51 -0500
July 01, 2009 LOS ANGELES, Jul 01, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Influenced by TV ads, children tend to choose more junk food, increasing the risk of weight gain, a new study suggests.

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