In the Finance sector, over 50% of women face mental health challenges. If left untreated, this can result in further health problems, like burnout or depression, or even turning to destructive, addictive behaviours as a way to cope with work related stress.
There is an undeniable link between the rise of heavy drinking among women and increased demands and pressure on women in the workplace. So, the need for women’s support groups to facilitate quicker healing and recovery is more prevalent than ever.
They offer the chance for women to connect and build community, learn vital tools to implement healthier habits and work on improving self-esteem, aiding personal and professional growth.
Here we will look at the importance of support groups, especially for women, and how they can help facilitate a quicker recovery journey.
What are support groups?
Support groups consist of a group of people who share a common experience, issue, or challenge, such as physical or mental illness, come together to provide mutual support, encouragement, and understanding.
Support groups play a pivotal role in healing and recovering from a variety of problems, like processing trauma, escaping domestic abuse, battling cancer, or overcoming addiction, as they foster a non-judgemental environment that can help those suffering to increase their emotional resilience and develop coping skills.
Why do women particularly benefit from support groups?
As humans, we naturally seek out connections. So, support groups can form an important part of the recovery of anyone facing struggles. However, research suggests that women, in particular, heal faster and more effectively in community settings.
Gender-specific treatment for women can play an essential role in improving emotional well-being, providing a safe space where women can be vulnerable where they otherwise may not be able to.
Women’s support groups leverage empathy to help empower women and create an inclusive space for women to seek solace as well as strategic support to help them in their recovery journey.
Types of women’s support groups
Many types of women-only support groups centre on different approaches to healing and take place in varying formats.
From in-formal vs formal, in-person vs. online support groups, let’s unpack the different types of support groups that women can consider.
Group Therapy
Seeking therapy to deal with the impact of addictive behaviours, or to manage side effects of illnesses is a great way to aid recovery and hearing.
For those who may not have explored therapy before, group therapy can be a good opportunity to experience a ‘structured’ support group.
Group therapy is often led by a licensed professional and is scheduled regularly, for example, weekly or monthly. Typically, therapy involves using a therapeutic framework to address mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression and process intense emotions.
Women's group therapy topics can include trauma, anxiety and self-esteem, and help participants equip themselves with the tools to better understand and manage their actions and emotions in the present.
Group Coaching
Unlike group counselling or therapy, group coaching takes a forward-thinking approach to healing and recovery, and is focused more on the future, through goals-setting and development plans.
In group coaching the participants help to shape the agenda of each session and guide the overall outcome. It looks to create action-oriented strategies that attendees are active participants of. Group coaching allows for collaboration, feedback and advice shared among the attendees, strengthening relationship building and teamwork, which can all aid in the recovery journey.
Self-Help Groups
Self-help groups are often less formal and rely on the active participation of attendees to share their experiences and encourage others to do the same. This more relaxed environment can encourage a sense of camaraderie among members, and increase feelings of community and connection.
By hearing from others who have faced similar challenges, attendees of self-help groups can share valuable insights and strategies to help each other navigate their own recovery journey.
Women’s Circles
Women’s circles are gatherings where women can connect, share and support each other, fostering a deeper sense of sisterhood. They offer an opportunity for women to connect on a spiritual level, often focusing on the divine feminine and a connection to the lunar cycle.
Rooted in ancient traditions, women’s circles are inspired by sacred gatherings of women to share stories, rituals and knowledge. In a recovery and healing setting, women’s circles can offer women the opportunity to deepen self-awareness and reconnect with a sense of purpose and togetherness.
In-person vs. online support groups
Traditionally, support groups are held in person. However, more recently, online support groups have risen in popularity to provide inclusive and accessible support.
Online group therapy and support groups are particularly good for people at the beginning of their recovery journey, easing them into environments that push them outside their comfort zone.
In-person support groups can be daunting, so beginning with online resources can be an effective way to become more comfortable and accustomed to what support groups are available and what they entail.
How can support groups benefit women?
Whichever route and style are chosen, there are many benefits of support groups for women in aiding healing and recovery. From building connections to proving accountability, here are some of the pivotal ways that support groups can facilitate quicker healing and recovery for women.
Creating a safe and non-judgmental environment
Support groups offer spaces for women who have shared struggles to seek advice in a safe environment. In bringing together women who have shared struggles and mutual understanding, support groups, by their nature, create non-judgmental spaces.
They present a space where women can feel validated and safe to share their thoughts without fear of judgment.
Building community and connections
Often, when women are struggling, they can feel isolated. This can be heightened in certain circumstances where people may have had to physically separate themselves from existing groups that may trigger or facilitate destructive patterns of behaviour or habits.
Alcohol addiction support groups for women can provide a sober community, which can be beneficial when starting a recovery journey, to create new, healthy habits and friendships that aren’t centred around triggering scenarios.
Similarly, those facing health problems, like battling cancer, may feel incredibly alone in their struggle. Support groups can provide spaces for cancer patients and survivors to share their fears and feelings as well as foster hope and emotional support.
Empowering and improving self-esteem
Being surrounded by people who are empathetic to your challenges, support groups provide an encouraging and empowering environment for women to achieve their goals.
Women’s only support groups can help participants improve their self-esteem, and provide a safe space to be vulnerable. By bringing together people at various stages of healing and recovery, participants can equally be inspired and become an inspiration to those starting their healing journey, giving them agency in their journey and being empowered to make the changes required to recover.
Accountability and motivation
Support groups can also promote accountability and motivation for women to help them stay on track with their healing and recovery goals.
Being around women who can relate to similar struggles and understand hardships can reinforce feelings of accountability, as well as increase the ability to celebrate achievements. This, in turn, can increase motivation and momentum for the healing and recovery journey.
Signposting to resources
While sharing stories can serve as inspiration, and in therapy-led support groups, guidance from a professional, support groups can also help attendees to find further resources to explore or consider.
Support groups allow participants to tap into a network of people who may have tried other treatments or additional community organisations that may aid their own recovery or healing.
Final Thoughts
Taking the first step towards recovery and beginning a healing journey can be incredibly hard, and finding the right support group can help create spaces for women to feel equally empathetic and empowered to make the necessary changes in their lives to deal with mental and physical health problems.
Through strengthening emotional resilience, finding coping strategies and building a community that encourages positive habits and behaviours, support groups can help to facilitate sustainable recovery and healing for women.
