Dubai: Depression support groups allow you to hear other people’s experiences with depression and also provide your own. Working towards a common goal becomes easier for some individuals, rather than suffering through the illness alone.
The Anxiety and Depression Support Group at the Human Relations Institute and Clinics in Dubai aims to help individuals who are battling depression. They work with groups of four to eight individuals on a weekly basis. The idea is to share experiences and help each other through the difficult times.
The group offers 12 sessions, each being an hour and a half long. The first session is usually the most crucial. People need to be able to trust each other and understand that it is a safe environment.
Dr Raymond H. Hamden, Director of the Human Relations Institute and Clinics, said: “We like to ensure that there is a high level of confidentiality. People can communicate on just a first name basis, or even use an alias. The group works through words. We set goals as a team, not per individual. Once people get comfortable, they build an unspoken level of understanding and trust between each other.”
The clinic gets a lot of inquiries through emails for both the depression and anxiety groups.
Dr Hamden said: “The group is a commitment for its participants. It has to be a part of their schedule and they need to take it seriously.”
