Do you want to talk to a peer or a trained professional about your depression? Online support groups and services are available to you. When you are depressed, you frequently require immediate assistance. Depression does not operate on a regular schedule. Every year, approximately 17.3 million adults in the United States Trusted Source has had at least one major depression episode. If you’re one of those people, you know how difficult it can be to get through. Nonetheless, the internet provides numerous ways to get the help you need when you need it. We’ve narrowed it down to the top nine online depression support groups to help you sort through the sea of options.

List of the best online depression support groups

If you want to skip ahead to the sections for each resource, use the links below.

• Overall winner: Mental Health America’s Inspire Support Community (MHA)
• Support Groups Central is the best directory.
• 7 Cups is the best for chatting.
• BetterHelp is the best option for one-on-one assistance.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides the best peer-to-peer support.
• Postpartum Support International is the best option for postpartum depression.
• Sanvello is the best community choice.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance are the best for specialised groups (DBSA)
• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is the best resource.

Suicide prevention

Online therapy and support services, such as those mentioned in this article, are generally incapable of assisting in times of crisis (though many services list helpful resources, such as phone numbers to national and international crisis hotlines). If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or self-harm, you are not alone, and help is available:

• The Lifeline for Suicide Prevention. Call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The Text Crisis Line. Text HOME to 741741, the Crisis Text Line.
• Trevor’s Project LGBTQIA+ and under the age of 25? Call 866-488-7386, text “START” to 678678, or chat online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Crisis Line for Veterans Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Crisis Line for the Deaf Contact them at 321-800-DEAF (3323), text “HAND” to 839863, or go to their website.
• Worldwide Befrienders This international crisis helpline network can assist you in locating a local crisis hotline.

Criteria we used to pick

To find the right services, we reviewed numerous contenders, looking at the following:

• Price. When you suffer from depression, money should not be an impediment to receiving help. That’s why we did everything we could to find as many free options as possible.
• Options. We sought out groups that provided more than just one type of generic depression support.
• Reputation. We concentrated on long-standing organisations. This way, you can be certain that your community is not disappearing.
• Vetting. All services have been reviewed to ensure that they meet the medical, editorial, and business standards of Psych Central.

Our picks of the best online depression support

• Cost: free
• Structure: chat space on website; 100 categories of support groups

Mental Health America’s Inspire support community has over 2 million registered members and is a 24/7 online chat that supports individuals, families, friends, and caregivers. With over 100 categories, members can find a group of people who can relate to their specific needs and difficulties. There are general support groups for depression, grief and bereavement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide, to name a few. Additionally, you can search for groups based on specific medical conditions such as cancer and diabetes, as well as less common diseases such as scleroderma and myocarditis. Families, caregivers, teens, and young adults can also join groups designed specifically for them. Members can “friend” and message other members, as well as participate in discussion feeds in their specific community. Each community has moderators on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that comments are kind and supportive.

Why we chose it

Mental Health America is a mental health advocacy organisation that has been around since 1909. The Inspire Support Community is always available and has over 100 support groups to assist you with your specific needs.

What we like

• With so many groups to choose from, you’re bound to find someone who can relate to the health issue you or a loved one is dealing with.
• You do not have to be alone at any time. There is always someone available to talk.
• Patient advocacy partners provide members with 

What to look out for

• With so many groups to choose from, you’re bound to find someone who can relate to the health issue you or a loved one is dealing with.
• You do not have to be alone at any time. There is always someone available to talk.
• Patient advocacy partners provide members with expert advice on specific conditions.

Best peer-to-peer support

Cost: nothing Structure: 90-minute online meeting on a regular basis, peer-led by a trained leader. According to the researchers, peer-to-peer support has numerous advantages. Connecting with others who understand your condition can help you feel less alone, learn tried-and-true coping strategies, and even remove some of the stigma associated with depression. This is where NAMI comes in. NAMI’s groups are filled with people who have experienced the same mental health symptoms and follow a structured model. They’re also led by people who have walked in your shoes. Their 90-minute meetings, most of which are held weekly, are confidential spaces in which you can share your experiences and difficulties without feeling judged. You’ll most likely leave with some helpful advice and solutions to whatever is bothering you.

Why we chose it

NAMI provides structured peer-to-peer support, 

What we like

• NAMI provides structured peer-to-peer support, allowing you to connect with others who are in the same boat.

What to look out for

• Groups are not led by mental health professionals.
• Groups are formed based on location, so if one does not exist near you, you may need to form your own.

Best for community

Cost: Self-Care plan: $8.99 per month, $53.99 per year; some insurance plans may cover it. Structure: A 24/7 chat room within the therapy app and website. Sanvello is an online therapy app and website that specialises in treating anxiety and depression. It has a community hub that it describes as a “judgement-free, label-free space.” You’ll almost certainly find someone in this chat room who is going through the same problems you are. Community members offer words of comfort and understanding. It may make you feel less alone, and because of Sanvello’s community rules, you are unlikely to face negativity or bullying. Still, keep in mind that recommendations from other users are not medical advice and may not be evidence-based.

Why we chose it

The Sanvello community hub and chats may provide temporary relief in between therapy appointments. The neighbourhood is described as a safe, supportive, and bully-free environment.

What we like

• You’ll gain a new perspective on depression in a judgement-free environment.
• You’ll be chatting with members of a depression and anxiety app, so they’ll most likely share your interests.
• If you want therapy, you can book an affordable session through the app.

What to look out for

• This is not a free service, so be cautious when selecting a subscription plan.
• Individuals, not medical professionals, will make suggestions in the community hub.
• Some topics, such as suicide, are not permitted in chat.

Best for specialised groups

• The cost is zero.
• Structure: web-based online meetings that are scheduled.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) online support groups provide a safe, welcoming environment for people living with depression and bipolar disorder to share daily experiences and coping skills. Attendees also provide hope and encouragement to one another.
• You can choose to attend either:
• DBSA scheduled support groups, which were organised and hosted by Support Groups Central (SGC).
• Anywhere in the United States, local online support groups organised by a local DBSA chapter and led by a support group facilitator are available.

Why we chose it

• DBSA support groups are led by peers who understand what it’s like to live with a mood disorder. In addition to general support groups, DBSA provides specialised groups for:
• young adults
• military veterans
• People of Color DBSA friends, family, and caregivers
• people who have been diagnosed with both substance use and mood disorders

What we like

• These are regularly scheduled meetings, so you can count on your attendance.
• DBSA explains what to expect at a support group meeting and establishes behaviour guidelines.
• They have specialised groups where you can interact with people who share your interests.

What to look out for

• To participate in the national DBSA support groups hosted by Support Groups Central, you must first create a free DBSA account (SGC).
• Local DBSA chapters provide local support groups, which frequently zoom to meetings that are not hosted by SGC.