Nothing has changed the world more in the last 40 years than the internet. People from all across the globe can share photos, music, poems, or simply exchange greetings in seconds. There are thousands of online forums where people talk about everything, from gardening to space exploration. People living with mental illness and addiction can find others living with the same challenges. People join online support groups not only to be inspired but also to inspire and help others. This page is dedicated to groups and forums created with supporting peers in the mental health and addiction recovery community.
The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women – vpnmentor.com
We all reach out for help in various ways that are not necessarily face to face with another person. For some, a warm line or text line may be comfortable, for others, their choice could be a supportive online community. It is an unfortunate truth that the world is not a safe place for anyone, especially those who are hurt or venerable. Both men and women face sexual harassment online though women experience this nearly three times more often. If you choose to seek support in an online community or forum, we would like to direct you to a blog entry on VPNmentor.com entitled, “The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women.” This resource provides valuable insight on how to better protect yourself in the online world and how to avoid harassment on social media sites.
This comprehensive guide was created by women for women and offers tips on avoiding harassment and abuse on several different platforms including, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, LinkedIn, and online dating sites.
Location: State Wide Access
Anorexia, Bulimia, and EDNOS Recovery Support Group – Facebook Group: We support ALL sufferers w/all types of eating disorder. I’m very passionate about EDs & raising awareness. Post/discuss anything you like! Give yourself a voice! Invite friends/family to join.
Location: Online
The Bi-Polar/ Anxiety/ Depression Support Group – Facebook Group: A Support Group for those who suffer from Bi-Polar, Anxiety and Depression (BADSG) as well as all mental illnesses and would like to reach out to others for help, or to even just talk. We’re here to support each other during bad times. We are not counsellors or therapists, nor do we claim to be. We are just friends who have a listening ear and sometimes have some helpful info or tips to pass along.
Location: Online
Bipolar Disorder Support – Facebook Group: This page is dedicated to raise awareness and combat stigma of Bipolar Disorder & Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder Support page is dedicated to support, educate and combat stigma for the mentally ill. People with this type of illnesses tend to be look down upon and mocked because of their condition.
Location: Online
Bipolar Moms Support Group – Facebook Group: If you’re a mom and you have bipolar disorder then you’re in the right place! I want you to feel like you can be honest here. Everyone else here has the same thing. If anyone can understand you it’ll be us!
Location: Online
Connecticut Hearing Voices Network: Starting in January 2020, we will be hosting an online and call-in Hearing Voices group! The group is open to anyone with lived experience hearing voices, seeing visions, or experiencing reality in a way that differs from those around them. It is targeted toward those who may not be able to access an existing group because of transportation or time issues, location, or other difficulties. People will be able to access the group either by signing in online, or by calling over the phone.
For more information contact Skye Collins at:
scollins@advocacyunlimited.org
Or call: 860-952-4050
Depression and Anxiety Mental Health Support Group – Facebook Group: You must be 18 or older to join! We hope you find support and comfort being here.
Location: Online
The Depression and Bipolar Alliance (DBSA) envisions wellness for people living with mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder). We provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders. DBSA offers peer-based, wellness-oriented support and empowering services and resources available when people need them, where they need them, and how they need to receive them—online 24/7, in local support groups, in audio and video casts, or in printed materials distributed by DBSA, our chapters, and mental health care facilities across America.
Location: Online / Connecticut Chapters
Dissociative Identity Disorder Support Group – Facebook Group: A safe place for anyone dealing with, or affected by Dissociative Identity Disorder, to vent, ask questions or just speak.
Location: Online
First Responders Stress and PTSD Support Group – Facebook Group: We need to learn that it’s ok to ask for help. We have to defuse before the stress sneaks up on you. This is a place of peer support and also of discussion of the help we have available to us.
Location: Online
GamTalk: This is a self help online community of supportive people helping others with gambling issues. Our chat rooms are safe spaces for you to engage in real time chat with other members of the GamTalk community.
Location: Statewide / Online Resource
Healing Path to Complex PTSD Recovery – Facebook Group: Complex PTSD is trauma layered on trauma, layered on trauma. It often will start with childhood sexual, emotional or physical abuse and/or neglect, move into personal violations experienced as teens, and continue into adulthood traumas. This group is NOT a standard support group. This group is about educating and helping our members move forward in their healing process. We do this by sharing helpful tools and techniques that work to help our members manage PTSD flashbacks and de-regulation.
Location: Online
Insomnia/Sleep Disorders Support – Facebook Group: The purpose of this group is to gain information and support about how insomnia and other sleep disorders are affecting your life and be able to apply techniques to improve your quality of life.
Location: Online
Leaving Abuse Behind Forever – Transforming Trauma: This Facebook Group is for women who have experienced sexual/emotional/mental abuse in their lives. This is a group created with the intention of holding a space for women to share their healing process, share their wisdom and their intention to move past the trauma and pain their abuse has caused and continues to cause in their lives.
Location: Online
LGBTQQIAAP2S+ Global Community Support Group – Facebook Group: We believe all persons are created equal. Our goal is to foster a global family of love and support for one another. We seek to uplift our entire community and create a space for people to interact, find a sense of belonging and support. This group is comprised of people from the full spectrum of the LGBTQQIAAP2S+ community, including: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer*, Questioning, Intersex*, Asexual, Ally, Pansexual, Two Spirit and the entirety of this collective.
Location: Online
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Support Network – Facebook Group: Survivors offering Support we are a global grassroots volunteer driven non profit organization dedicated to help bring awareness, education and support to serve narcissistic abuse recovery community and the public abuse from narcissists.
Location: Online
Narcissistic Family Support Group – Facebook Group: This is a Support Group for those who have a family member with NPD.
Location: Online
Narcissist Support Group – Facebook Group: The mission/purpose of this is to build community support for those raised, abused and/or Scapegoated by a Narcissistic parent or both parents together.
Location: Online
NoStigmas Mental Health Allies – Facebook Group: This is a peer-driven group for people to share experiences and ask questions related to mental health and suicide. Please remember that we are all equal members of the mental health community, and should treat one another with respect. The purpose is to provide support, not medical advice or criticism. Personal attacks, harassment, and discrimination will not be tolerated in this group.
Location: Online
Overeaters Anonymous – Online Meetings: OA is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. All OA meetings are autonomous and use free conference calling services that are not managed by OA. Anyone can dial into the call, so in the spirit of your own safety and security, please leave your contact information at your own discretion.
Location: statewide Access
Parents With Bullied Children Support Group – Facebook Group: Here we can share information on bullying and share support from online community members for those with children who have been bullied. We are not here to point fingers or complain but to resolve and learn so we can teach our children how to heal and deal.
Location: Online
Postpartum Support International- Connecticut Chapter (PSI-CT): is a chapter of Postpartum Support International. PSI-CT works to increase support and provide resources for women and their families during pregnancy and the postpartum period (also known as the perinatal period), to increase awareness of the mental health challenges related to childbearing and parenting, and to provide perinatal mental training for childbirth professionals.
Location: Statewide / See a current listing of support groups here.
Visit their online support group: https://www.facebook.com/psictchapter/
Quit smoking support Group – Facebook Group: his group was created to share positive support to people quitting or trying to quit smoking/vaping/dipping or any nicotine habit.
Location: Online
Schizophrenia Support Group – Facebook Group: This group is for people affected by schizophrenia AND/OR psychosis who are looking for validation, peer support, & healing. Feel free to share but keep in mind, other members. Every single one of us has triggers & we are a sensitive group.
Location: Online
SMART Recovery Online Community is a modern, science-based alternative to traditional 12-step recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. You’ll find it friendly, action-oriented, and supportive, wherever you are in your recovery. We can help you gain confidence in your ability to quit, maintain motivation to stay quit, learn strategies for dealing with urges, deal with self-defeating thoughts and actions, and get on with getting more out of life. See Website for more information.
Location: Statewide Access
“SOBERLICIOUS” – Facebook Group: Soberlicious is an amazing support group of caring people living a sober life, because life is delicious!
Location: Online
Transgender Support Circle – Facebook Group: This is a safe space for people who identify along the transgender spectrum and allies. Whether you already started HRT, or have yet to/ don’t plan on starting, this is the place for you. We are all in this together and we have many experiences that we can offer aside from love and support.
Location: Online
Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury Support Group – Facebook Group:This Support Group is for anyone that is a Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury survivors/caregivers. If you selling things like sunglasses, bags, post inappropriate or rude comments, etc., you will be deleted AND banned!
Location: Online
TurningPointCT.org is an award-winning online resource, created by and for young people in Connecticut to guide their search for mental wellness. This online peer support community includes a discussion forum, personal stories, media room, Q&A guide, resource map & more.
Location: State Wide Access
Veteran’s Peer Support for PTSD – Facebook Group: We are a Support Group for All Veterans who deal with PTS/PTSD on a daily basis. We also offer help to the Families of Veterans and their Caregivers. Presently we have over 1300 Members with over 75% of them Active Members. We offer a way to share Our experiences, what is going on in Our lives and what is working to get Us through the day.
Location: Online
Women’s Advice group and Mental Health Support – Facebook Group: We offer a judgement free safe space for women worldwide, who need support or advice or just a safe space to talk, we are here to show you are not alone, and there is support and someone always there if you need it, we offer a range of things on the group,including anonymous posts,their is always lots of support from admins and members.
Location: Online
Women for Sobriety, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women discover a happy New Life in recovery from Substance Use Disorders. Founded in 1975, the WFS New Life Program is based on thirteen Acceptance Statements which encourage emotional and spiritual growth. WFS has certified moderators and chat leaders leading mutual support groups online and in person, as well as phone volunteers available for one-on-one support. Any woman seeking an abstinent New Life is welcome to join WFS, and all expressions of female identity are welcome.
Location: Check site for meeting locations HERE.
Women with PTSD Support Group – Facebook Group: This is a closed group for women with PTSD/CPTSD, trauma, anxiety and or depression. No discrimination/harassment of any kind please.
Location: Online
