There are many different types of natural peer support Groups. Some natural peer support groups are centered on an illness or a disease. Some are centered around wellness. Natural peer support groups can be centered on recovery or can be about other things or topics.

There are many different reasons people attend support groups. They may want to find out how to make or do something, how to better deal with stress and illness, share experiences, or to have a good time.

Many persons who are walking along the recovery path have stated that they feel that support from others has been an important part of their recovery journeys.

Natural Peer Support: Community Based

Examples of natural peer support groups that are centered around things other than an illness or disease are:

Chip carving groups

Drumming circles

Quilting circles

Weaving groups

Native powwows

Golfing foursomes

Card playing

Investment clubs

Pot lucks

Walking

Yoga

Spirituality

Writing groups

Artist's colonies

When we become a part of a group of people who spend time doing something that makes us happy, or gives us a place to socialize, that is natural peer support.

Sometimes community mental health systems start programs for people with mental illness to attend that are centered around things other than mental health or mental illness (writing groups or art groups, for example). Each person has the opportunity to decide for him or herself, if they want to attend the group started by a community mental health system or if they would rather try to find a group in their community. Either way, that can be a part of your person-centered plan, if you want assistance to start attending this type of group.

Natural Support: Wellness or Illness Based

Some natural peer support groups are centered around an illness, condition or disease. These groups are often started by someone who is going through or has gone through many of the things that another person with the same illness or disease might go through. This type of natural peer support is common.

There are natural peer support groups that focus on things like:

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia

Stop smoking groups

Mental illness

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Alcohol abuse

Drug or narcotics abuse

Wellness

Cancer

Weight/obesity

Multiple sclerosis

Parkinson’s disease

There are many other kinds of groups that are wellness or illness based. When you first go to a support group that is wellness or illness based, you may feel uncomfortable until you have gone more than once or twice. Many groups let you come when you feel like it, and many people find that the chance to share keeps them coming back.