Are there support groups for depression that aren't toxic?

Alice@beehaw.org to Chat@beehaw.org – 28 points –

I tried /r/suicidewatch on that other site, but even though I made it clear that I was looking for advice and encouragement, the only two replies I got were in agreement that it doesn't get better. 😐 /r/depression is even worse by the look of it.

Does anyone know of any good websites, or is it the nature of all of them that they just turn into a crabs-in-the-bucket nightmare? I'm trying to get better but it also gets isolating pretending I'm not depressed all the time.

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They mostly turn into crabs in a bucket communities because the ones that stick around long term in those communities are usually the doomer types.

Or at least that was my experience with it years ago.

My best advice is to avoid those communities as I found they only made my mental health worse rather than better.

They mostly turn into crabs in a bucket communities because the ones that stick around long term in those communities are usually the doomer types.

That explains a lot. I appreciate the advice. Probably saved me a wild goose chase for a non-toxic one.

One thing I would recommend though is if you have some hobbies try to find beginner friendly communities for those hobbies as they are usually super positive and helpful, and they'll give you the chance to be that as well.

Personally I found helping people dive into the stuff I'm interested in was a massive boost to my mental health.

There's just something wonderful about it that I really can't explain.

Feeling competent at something is great for your head! Being able to thus share things with others -- who, you know, actually want you to share them -- just multiplies that.

idk any online communities but i have found that ex-depresso's tend to be the best ppl to talk to. its likely that u talk with someone semi-regularly who has been thru depression. if u can identify those ppl, then i recommend them as the best source. ur gonna make it x

Thank you <3 I do know people who fit the bill, but I've just bringing them down more than they're able to help me. I guess I'll just keep chugging for now.

Yeah, don't use /r/depression. Too negative. Which is unfortunate.

/r/KindVoice or /r/InternetParents may be better for advice or support. I don't know their state or activity since I haven't used reddit anymore. I enjoyed commenting there before though. And I'd love similar communities here. But I doubt it'd be active with current size and user type.

There's a kind voice discord community. I don't remember if it's from the subreddit directly.

The healthy gamer community may be the best fit. Discord community. The website looks like a sell, but it has tons of free videos and community. https://www.healthygamer.gg/

German language forum site https://www.psychic.de/

Hey thanks! These are good suggestions. Focusing on the improvement part instead of depression part makes way more sense.

For me it didn't get better, until it did. Patience is key.