If you are suffering from depression, you, more than likely, will have a hard time opening up, discussing your issues, and trusting people enough to rely on them.

However, there is a possible solution that some people find the most effective for dealing with their depression.

Group therapy is when a small group of people, with comparable challenges and worries, mostly related to their mental health, gather with a qualified mental health practitioner to discuss and work through their problems.

Group therapy for depression has been proven to be a successful treatment choice for a wide range of patients, and it has several advantages over individual therapy.

In this blog, we will look at some of the most important advantages of group therapy for depression.

Connection and Support

The sense of connection and support that comes from being part of a group is one of the most powerful features of group therapy.

Depression can be an isolated experience, so being in a group of people who understand what you're going through and can offer empathy and support can be beneficial.

Being in a group can also help to alleviate feelings of guilt and stigma by demonstrating that you are not alone in your challenges.

The old saying "it takes a village to raise a child" could be adapted to fit a plethora of different issues, group therapy for helping with symptoms of depression is one of those.

The friends you will make in group therapy can quickly grow to feel like a family and talking about personal issues with your family will quickly start to help with your depression.

Differing Perspectives

Another advantage of group therapy is that it exposes you to various ideas and methods of dealing with depression.

In a group, you might hear from people who have had similar experiences to yours but have discovered various ways to manage their symptoms.

This can be especially beneficial if you have tried a range of medications or therapies without success, since others in the group may be able to teach you new ways to manage your depression.

When you bring a group of people together, you will likely learn some of the most creative ways for solving problems and depression will be the problem everyone wants to solve.

A single mother leaving an abusive relationship, who is facing the challenges of raising three children, putting food on the table, and being responsible to ensure all of her children receive a proper education, will have a different approach to battling depression than a single man who inherited money and is a recovering drug addict.

These differences in life and vastly different approaches to how they handle their depression will give insight to everyone who is within earshot.

Just by listening and being present, you will be able to gain significant insight into your depression.

The value that comes from the experience of everyone involved can be more than any single life by itself.

Practicing Social Skills

Depression can make interacting with people difficult and lead to social isolation.

Depression, for some people, begins with difficulty in talking to strangers, which leads to more feelings of isolation.

Group therapy offers a secure and supportive setting in which to practice social skills and form new relationships.

This might be especially beneficial if you suffer from social anxiety or have problems communicating with others.

This welcoming group of similarly-minded individuals will be a great start toward being more comfortable in social settings.

Increased Accountability

There is a greater sense of accountability in a group therapy setting, both to oneself and to the other members of the group.

Knowing that you have a supportive group to help you along the road may drive you to make adjustments and work through challenging feelings.

Furthermore, group therapy provides a feeling of structure and routine, which can be effective in the treatment of depression.

By knowing you have your weekly or biweekly meeting with this group of people that care about you and face similar difficulties, you will be urged to attend, thus getting you out of the monotony of the depression you have been facing.

By stepping outside of your usual routine, and being held accountable for your actions, you will develop skills to help with your depression.

Cost Effective

Because the cost is split among the group participants, group therapy is frequently more cost-effective than individual therapy.

Some group therapy sessions will reduce the cost by more than fifty percent.

This is especially useful if you have a limited budget or if your insurance does not cover the expense of individual therapy.

While your mental health should never be dependent on your financial situation, unfortunately, many different individuals throughout the world are unable to get the care they need and deserve because of the costs associated with therapy sessions.

Luckily the group sessions will help with this problem.

Conclusion

Group therapy for depression has several advantages, including connection and support, exposure to other perspectives, social skill practice, improved accountability, and cost-effectiveness.

By stepping outside of your comfort zone, agreeing to meet with people in similar situations as you, and joining a loving group that all aim to uplift and help each other, your depression can be attacked as a team.

The rate of people finding help with their depression in group settings is extremely high, with some studies showing that more than 90% of group therapy sessions prove to be helpful.

You can really only stand to grow by joining any group therapy session.

The potential benefits outweigh the negatives in such a way that the negatives seem almost nonexistent.

This is your sign to look more seriously into working on your depression, and if this blog post speaks to you speak with a mental health expert to explore if group therapy is a good fit for you.

Resources 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK68475/

https://study.com/learn/lesson/stages-group-therapy-counseling-facts-development-examples.html