Support Groups-Online

Provide even homebound caregivers and patients with an opportunity to share information, feelings and coping skills in a supportive atmosphere with others who are in a similar situation.

GriefNet.org is a national website with 50 facilitated e-mail support groups covering topics such as loss of a parent, loss of a spouse/partner, loss of sibling or friend, spiritual aspects of loss, etc. Each topic has subtopics, such as young widowed, widowed with children, grief moving on.
The Association of Cancer Online Resources provides support, information, and community to patients, family caregivers and professional health providers. There are over 130 online lists to choose from, including groups on specific diagnoses, alternative therapies, depression, fatigue, financial concerns... Online support groups offer the flexibility of 24 hour, 7 day a week access. Some people report that the anonymity of an online community is actually helpful in sharing feelings and concerns.
Sponsored by the American Heart Association, these Internet communities allow patients and families to share much-needed tips and support, with groups organized around specific cardiac conditions, such as heart failure, high blood pressure, Peripheral Artery Disease, arrhythmia, heart attack, etc.
The American Diabetes Association has several message boards for adults with Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, the recently diagnosed, persons using an insulin pump, etc. There is also a Spanish language group.
Please Note: Transitions does not specifically endorse the activities of any organization mentioned on this page, but offers their information as a sample of the kinds of materials and services that are available.