There are a few things you can do to get the most from joining a support group.

Attend on a regular basis. You’ll get the most out of a support group if you attend regularly. It will help you get acquainted with other group members and increase your comfort level.

Participate in the discussions. Participating in a group keeps the discussion flowing and everyone engaged. Other participants will look forward to hearing your updates and any words of wisdom you have to share with them.

Be sensitive to others in the group. There’s always a chance that something could come up during the group that upsets you or rubs you the wrong way. Be cognizant that people who come to support groups are dealing with serious, sensitive, and emotionally-charged issues. If you can’t look past it, bring the issue to the facilitator’s attention, and give them a chance to resolve it.

Recognize when a group isn’t the right fit. A productive support group depends a lot on group dynamics. With different people joining and leaving the group, group dynamics can change. If things aren’t working out, you might consider switching to a different support group.

Remember your reasons for joining support groups

When you feel like things couldn’t possibly be worse, a support group can help you reframe your issues and view them in a more positive light. One of the best steps you can take toward feeling better is mustering up the courage to identify an appropriate support group and start attending.

You’ll know you’ve taken the right step when you feel you have something in common with others in the group, and you’ve contributed something to them as well. Most importantly, you can call your experience a success when you leave the group thinking, “I feel better now than when I first arrived.”