Support Groups and Peer Support
These services offer support from trained peers, facilitated groups, or communities of people facing similar challenges. None replaces a licensed therapist, but many people find them a practical first step or a useful complement to one-on-one care.
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Peer-led support groups nationwide and online from America's largest mental health advocacy organization, free for those in recovery.
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Social network with 1.4 million members and 500 peer support communities for 250+ health conditions.
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Peer support community platform with 2.5 million members across hundreds of health-specific forums.
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7 Cups connects people seeking emotional support with trained volunteer listeners through free, anonymous text chat available at any hour. Paid therapy with lic
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Free peer-led meetings using science-based methods for addiction and compulsive behaviors, offering a self-empowerment alternative to 12-step programs.
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Circles runs professionally facilitated audio support groups for people recovering from narcissistic relationships and divorce. Sessions are led by licensed cou
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Free peer-led support groups in person and online for people with depression and bipolar disorder, run by trained peer specialists.
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Weekly peer-led grief support groups meeting in-person and online across thousands of locations worldwide.
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Peer-led recovery meetings available continuously online and worldwide in-person using 12-step methodology
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Peer support groups, trained peer mentors, and 24/7 helpline for perinatal mental health disorders.
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Over 500 peer-led chapters for families grieving the death of a child, with in-person and online support.
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Crisis support and peer community for LGBTQ+ young people with 24/7 trained counselors and TrevorSpace.
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Coa offers live and on-demand group classes led by therapists, covering topics like burnout, conflict, and emotional patterns. It describes itself as a gym for
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Student-led peer advocacy on 800+ college campuses for open mental health conversation.
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Free peer support groups, recovery mentorship, and helpline for eating disorder recovery
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Four free online peer-to-peer support communities for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and related disorders
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One-on-one peer support from cancer survivors and caregivers, plus support groups by cancer type
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Nationwide chapters of peer-led ADHD support for adults and families, many with virtual meetings.
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24/7 online recovery meetings for addiction with peer facilitators across multiple 12-step programs
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Manages dozens of online support groups for OCD and related disorders, plus My OCD Community peer forum.
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Peer-led recovery meetings for substance abstinence with a secular approach to addiction recovery.
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Free peer-led virtual grief support groups organized by type of loss for people grieving death of a loved one.
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Online health community where members share stories and join peer support groups covering depression, anxiety, chronic illness, and more.
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24/7-moderated peer community with 4 million student members accessing through college and university partnerships.
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Peer-run support hotline and community for trans people, organized without police involvement.
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Anonymous peer-to-peer support app and community available 24/7, moderated by trained safety teams to ensure supportive, secure conversations.
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Wisdo matches you with a community of people who have been through something similar, from caregiving and chronic illness to major life transitions. Trained pee
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Community healing circles, training, and crisis response for Black mental health
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Virtual support groups for chronic illness with licensed facilitation and peer-centered approach.
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Daily peer support groups, chat, creative groups, and healing community for complex trauma
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Peer support groups for young adults living with chronic illnesses like lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Peer-led grief support groups with professional facilitation available both virtually and in-person
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HeyPeers provides video support groups, real-time chatrooms, and one-on-one sessions with certified peer supporters, all organized by topic and condition. Every
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Free peer-led depression support groups with behavioral curriculum for ages 14-89, including specialized groups
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Peer support communities and forums where breast cancer patients and survivors share experiences and advice
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Buddhist-based peer recovery communities with Sangha groups and online meetings for substance recovery.
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Peer support groups for individuals and caregivers affected by schizophrenia and psychosis spectrum disorders
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Live peer support groups and 1-on-1 sessions led by trained Peer Hosts across 150+ topics
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Supportiv offers anonymous, moderated peer-support chat available at any hour. You describe what you're going through and the platform matches you with a small
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Online group therapy led by licensed therapists for anxiety, depression, grief, and BPD, combining professional guidance with peer support for about $35 weekly.
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Peer-led meetups and community for women managing diabetes with practical advice and social connection
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Free virtual peer support groups led by trained peer supporters for trauma survivors and their communities
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24/7 peer-led forums and chat support for people grieving the death of loved ones
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Candid peer articles and conversations for adults navigating grief and loss
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Free online community providing peer support for individuals with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
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Mental health resources and peer community centered on Black women's health and healing
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Online forums for peer support on managing type 1, type 2, and other forms of diabetes
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Directory of peer-run warmlines providing confidential support via phone, chat, text
Frequently asked questions
Can I find support for a specific health condition or life event?
Yes, many options specialize in certain areas like grief, postpartum mental health, or recovery from narcissistic relationships. You can also find large communities dedicated to specific diagnoses like depression, bipolar disorder, or general health conditions.
Are these services free or do they cost money?
Several organizations like NAMI, DBSA, and Narcotics Anonymous offer free peer-led support. Other services may provide free community features or volunteer listeners while charging for professional therapy or therapist-led classes.
Do I have to meet with people in person?
You aren't limited to in-person meetings. Most services listed offer online forums, text-based chat, or virtual audio groups that you can join from anywhere.
Will I be talking to a licensed professional?
It depends on the service you choose. Some options consist of peer-led groups or volunteer listeners, while others provide professionally facilitated sessions led by licensed counselors or therapists.