If you have a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, schizophrenia or an eating disorder, sharing experiences with others who have similar conditions can help you in a number of ways. You may gain emotional and moral support and learn practical information and advice that can improve the quality of your life.

Support groups bring together people who have problems in common, providing a way to connect with each other. Through giving and receiving support, you may feel less isolated, develop better coping skills and even work toward overcoming the stigma often attached to mental illness.

Today, mental health support groups abound. Most focus on specific conditions. Yet, individual support groups are as varied as the people who participate in them.

Those differences are what give a support group its potential as a learning experience but also the potential to be incompatible with your own needs or style. Choosing a support group can be challenging but ultimately rewarding.

"Not everyone wants or needs group support beyond their family and friends," says Keith Kramlinger, M.D., a psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. "But support groups can be highly beneficial for many and may be worth exploring during any stage of your illness or treatment. The key is finding a group that matches your needs and personality."

Good support groups can offer a variety of emotional benefits. Simply by meeting others with similar mental health experiences and conditions, you may feel less alone or isolated and gain a sense of belonging or fitting in. Frank discussions about mental disorders can foster openness and increased understanding. Shared problem solving may help you find new solutions or coping skills. And compassion and empathy can help see you through a crisis. In addition, you may feel better about yourself if you're able to offer support and help to others.

You don't even have to meet in person anymore. You can log on to the Internet and tap into a global network of people in similar situations who can offer encouragement, advice or support at any hour.

Support groups can also complement your medical care. Others in the group may encourage you to take a more active role in treatment, if needed. Swapping information about antidepressants, antipsychotics or other medications can help you see how others handle side effects. And you may be more willing to seek out different treatment options. In addition, a support group may encourage you to talk to your doctor or seek formal psychotherapy if you haven't done that first.

On the other hand, support groups also have the potential to interfere with your medical care. Although most people who join support groups don't abandon established face-to-face therapy with their counselor or therapist, some do. There's also a risk of getting false information about treatment or medications. Talking openly with your therapist or doctor about your participation with in-person or Internet support groups can help ensure you get the most out of them and that they don't become a substitute for necessary medical care.

Support groups run the gamut, from highly organized and structured meetings run by mental health experts to informal, self-help gatherings of peers. Each can be equally beneficial.

What type of group is best for you depends on your needs and wishes. Perhaps you prefer a structured, moderated group, where you're more likely to find organized discussions and educational information. A moderator or facilitator can help ensure all participants have equal time and that discussions stay on track.

On the other hand, you may prefer less structure. You may feel more at ease meeting less formally with a small group of people at someone's home, where emotional support is the focus. Or you may find the anonymity and convenience of the Internet appealing.

If you decide to take part in a group, try it out a few times. You may be nervous or hesitant about sharing personal issues with people you don't know. Although interacting will ultimately help you get the most out of a support group, you may initially benefit just from listening. If the group makes you uncomfortable or you don't find it useful, consider seeking out another one to try.

Here are some questions to consider when evaluating a support group:

• Is it geared toward a specific condition?
• Is the location convenient enough to attend regularly?
• What time does it meet and for how long?
• How often does it meet?
• How long has the group existed?
• Is there a facilitator or moderator?
• What are the confidentiality guarantees?
• Does it have established ground rules?
• Is it sponsored by a reputable health care facility or organization?
• Does it avoid false promises of quick cures?
• Does it encourage you to continue your regular medical care and treatment?
• What is the mix of participants, such as gender and age?
• How many people usually attend?
• What is a typical meeting like?
• Does it charge reasonable fees, if any?

Remember that even a support group you've come to cherish can change over time as the participants change. Continually evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the group to make sure it meets your needs.

And just how do you find a support group in the first place? Your doctor, therapist or other mental health expert may be able to refer you to one. Alternatively, you can:

• Contact a local, state or national mental health organization
• Ask your church, synagogue or other place of worship
• Look in your local telephone book under mental health, counseling or similar topics
• Check your newspaper for a listing of support resources
• Contact community centers or libraries
• Get recommendations from friends or family
• Search the Internet

Mental health support groups have blossomed on the Internet. Evaluate them just as carefully as you would an in-person group. Remember that while the anonymity can be appealing, it can also be deceiving: The people you're interacting with may not be who they say they are. There's also a risk that Internet use can lead to social isolation. If you have depression and rely on the Internet for support, for instance, be wary of neglecting in-person social contact.

Online support groups come in a variety of formats:

• Newsgroups. These are like virtual bulletin boards, with lists of messages about similar topics posted by users. You can read some or all the messages, called posts. You can post a message of your own or simply browse the list. Be aware that not all users of newsgroups are in it for the mental health support. Some cull e-mail addresses for marketing, while others prey on vulnerable participants for online scams.

• Electronic mailing lists. These support groups operate by e-mail. You send an e-mail to the list to join and start receiving messages from other members. Often, you can choose to receive each individual e-mail message as it is sent, or opt for a block of messages sent periodically in digest format. You participate by sending your own e-mails to the group of participants, or you can simply read messages from others without responding. Many mailing lists also have associated Web sites. Some have moderators who try to filter out Internet users trying to perpetrate scams.

• Chat rooms. These are real-time discussion forums, so there's no delay in the exchange of information. That can be valuable if you're looking for immediate support or feedback. This is most similar to being in a room and talking to others — you're simply typing your thoughts instead. Chat rooms also can be used by people trying to collect e-mail addresses or personal information for online scams.

Also be cautious about the reliability of information you find through online support groups. Although they can be excellent sources of practical advice, they may provide less-than-accurate, if not potentially harmful, information or medical advice. Look for groups affiliated with a reputable organization or moderated by a mental health expert. Don't e-mail or post personal information, such as your phone number, address, insurance information or other details that could be collected by scam artists. And don't arrange personal meetings with people you chat with online.

Mental health support groups can offer a valuable adjunct to your medical care or social circle. You may feel less isolated when you discover others have shared similar experiences. The people you meet in a support group may help you gain new insights into your condition, help you learn new coping techniques, and provide you with information about medications or treatment options.

Offering mutual support, understanding and your own ideas — helping someone else — can also make you feel better about yourself. Ultimately, you may find that your symptoms have diminished and that you're enjoying life more.