Follows from Section 31 on Map 4.

Typically, the kinds of self-help groups that are available are not focused on the treatment of depression. However, they do provide outside contact and a network of support, which in itself can be helpful to get the patient to look outside of him/herself.

There can be a risk in sending a patient to such a group, because it is organized and run by nonprofessionals. They may have biases against psychotherapy, medication, or other forms of treatment, and can undermine the work that needs to be done.

38a. For Addictions

Many depressed people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. One alternative is for the patient to join a self-help group related to his/her addictive substance. By participating in such a group, the patient can find support from others as well as help and encouragement in giving up the substance abuse. Because the substance used to deal with depression may also contribute to depression, an interpersonal alternative may relieve another source of depression

38b. For Social Interaction

Getting involved in some activity can be part of helping a person’s depression lift. There are many possibilities:

• Sports, possibly a sport that the person was active in when younger.
• Hobbies in which people get together and pursue common interests in a group. For example, a group of model builders or tiers of fishing flies, a ceramics workshop, a fishing tournament or sailing regatta. Many of these appear in local newspapers
• Local politics: possibly working on a Town committee or county advisory group.
• Schools need people to work on projects.
• There are membership groups of many kinds. Perhaps the person belonged at a time in the past and let his/her membership lapse.

38c. Religious

If the person is currently involved in formal religion, his/her relationship to the organization can be explored and possibly pursued. Commonly there are groups dedicated to the advancement of the faith and groups that are primarily social or fund-raising.

The person might find others of the same religion to be like-minded in many ways, receptive to his/her interest in becoming more active, and generally supportive of each other and the patient.

If the patient hasn’t been active for a while, or needs to change affiliation in order to feel more comfortable, or needs to change denomination because his/her own faith isn’t represented locally, then some work may be necessary to get him/her moving. This circumstance can be an opportunity for cognitive or psychodynamic work to be of value in making choices and taking action.