Support Groups
What is a support group? Persons who have experienced a stroke and their families may find it helpful to speak with others who understand the challenges following a stroke. Support groups help overcome, explore, resolve, or cope with a common problem through encouragement and empowerment. Although support groups do not replace counseling services, they provide a supportive environment in which members can share frustrations, triumphs and knowledge. Support groups can provide a number of benefits:
- Emotional healing comes when people interact with other people
- Sharing of similar experiences helps individuals feel less alone and more ready to deal with day-to-day issues
- Encouragement comes from learning about how others have conquered situations similar to theirs
- Education results from the exposure to information and personal experiences in a group
- Socialization occurs when connections with people are made and confidence in social skills develops when successful or healthy interaction occurs in support groups
- Self-expression, as emotions are experienced and released, creates a greater understanding of one’s self
- Confidence building results as members take responsibility for the work of the group, and see progress with the plans they made
- Safety, in the environment of a confidential, supportive, non-judgmental group, allows for honest disclosure and sharing of common difficulties
- A sense of growth occurs as long-term members see new participants and reminisce about where they began and how far they have come in their personal journey
The Minnesota Stroke Association makes referrals to support groups throughout the state. Each support group is self-supporting, self-directed and independent from the Minnesota Stroke Association. For more information, contact the Minnesota Stroke Association at 763-553-0088.
