Why are support groups helpful?

Support groups are extremely helpful for relieving common mental health factors associated with injury such as lonliness, failure to be understood, feelings of lack of success or failure in life, frustration, feelings of anxiety and depression, etc. Additionally, there has been someone that has gone through a similar experience to you, and have learned many lessons from their experience. Being able to take in feedback, new mindsets and thoughts, access to invaluable resources, and creating a community of survivors can help you learn some of the hard-earned lessons that others have gone through.

There have been many studies completed, looking at the impact that social support has on long-term recovery of a variety of injuries. “…patients with a weak/nonexistent PSS (perceived social support) were more likely to have new functional limitations and chronic pain in addition to being less likely to be back at work/school and being more likely to screen positive for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety at 6 months to 12 months postinjury than those with a strong/very strong PSS.” (2021, Orlas). Study after study has shown that, regardless of the type of injury, the amount of social support an individual has, directly influences their ability to heal, both physically and mentally, as well as their ability to return back to normal life.