Key takeaways:
Mental health support groups are available for in-person or virtual sessions tackling everything from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), work stress, and more.
Many mental health support groups are low-cost or free.
You can find free and low-cost mental health support groups near you through websites, social media, and apps.
Taking care of your mental health is important. Sometimes, that can be as simple as working more self-care activities into your day. At other times, you might need mental health services through a mental health support group.
Support groups can be peer-led or directed by a licensed professional. They differ from group therapy, which is mental health treatment for multiple individuals that’s directed by at least one licensed professional. Support groups can be helpful for connecting with people who are going through situations similar to yours and for learning new coping strategies. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) advises joining a mental health support group in addition to receiving therapy or as part of a prevention plan — but not as a replacement for individual mental health treatment.
Mental health support groups are held in person and virtually. In addition to licensed professionals, they may be hosted by nonprofits, hospitals, or peer support specialists. Often, you can attend support groups for free or for a very low fee. Here is a guide to finding free and low-cost mental health support groups near you.
What kind of mental health support groups are available?
Mental health support groups can help with a range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to chronic stress. There are also groups available to help you through a recent medical diagnosis, such as cancer or diabetes. Other examples include support groups for:
Caregivers of people with disabilities — including minor and adult children — as well as older adults, and other individuals
Grieving the loss of a loved one, including a pet
Postpartum depression (PPD)
Alcohol and substance use or misuse, gambling addiction, and other issues
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by various traumas, including assault
Group formats
Mental health support groups come in two main formats — peer-to-peer and group meetings led by a professional facilitator:
Group meetings: The main purpose is to connect with others in a safe place and to find support with professional guidance. These sessions are led by a licensed professional, such as a social worker or addiction treatment specialist.
Peer support groups: Peer support groups are led by someone with a shared experience, such as PPD or PTSD. A peer support group allows you to meet with people in similar circumstances, encourage one another as you work through a difficult time, and connect socially.
How do I find free or low-cost support groups near me?
Finding a support group may seem overwhelming, but there are many ways to connect with the right one for you. Here are some places to start.
Check in with your personal network
Ask your healthcare professional for a referral. Your psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor may be able to recommend a free or low-cost mental health support group that’s appropriate for your needs in your area.
Ask your friends and relatives. Put the word out that you are looking for support. Someone in your network may have attended or may have heard about a support group that may benefit you.
Check online resources
An online search can lead you to organizations that offer support groups or databases that can help you find mental health support groups in your area. Here are a few great places to start:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a vast network of peer-led support groups.
The ADAA offers entry points to join an online support community.
Mental Health America lists support group resources on its website, including 24-hour toll-free hotlines.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a wide variety of resources for people dealing with substance use and mental health issues.
Men and mental health: There are specific resources and safe spaces for men, who are often less likely to seek mental health support.
Paying for therapy without insurance: Finding affordable mental healthcare can be challenging, but there are ways to find free or low-cost help.
Fighting the winter blues: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression, is common in winter months. But it can be treated with light therapy, medications, and other interventions.
You can also search by subject online for specific support groups that address your condition, symptoms, demographic, or something else.
Try an app or virtual experience
There are many apps that can provide peer mental health support right from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Here are some you may want to consider:
HeyPeers lets users choose from a variety of support group topics and join anonymously for video and chat conversations in a group format or one-on-one. The service is free to download and use.
Therapeer is a free peer support group app designed to help you share your experiences with others as a way to relieve emotional pain. You can create a private support room where other members of the community can meet with you to discuss similar experiences.
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How much does it cost to attend a mental health support group?
The cost to attend a mental health support group will generally depend on whether you’re entering a peer-led group or a group led by a licensed professional.
Cost of peer support groups
Open peer support groups generally allow participant walk-ins and are typically free. When there is a cost, the group typically operates on a “pay what you can” or donation-based model. What you pay — which is often $30 or less per session — often helps cover the cost of refreshments, materials, and room rental. Any costs related to peer support groups are typically not covered by insurance.
Closed groups are typically invite-only and require participants to be screened before arrival. When you locate the group you want to attend, reach out to the contact person to find out if there’s an intake screening.
Cost of mental health support groups that qualify as therapy
Mental health support groups can be free or low-cost. If the gathering is considered group therapy, however, there may be a cost or the session may qualify for coverage by your insurance plan.
Without insurance or discounts, individual therapy ranges from $65 per session to more than $250 per session. Group therapy is typically more affordable — often half the price of individual therapy and sometimes even less. Groups allow therapists to provide lower-cost services to help people access some types of mental health treatment.
To be covered by insurance, the group typically must be run by a healthcare professional in your plan’s network. If the therapy group is led by an out-of-network provider, you may have to pay up front. But you may be eligible for partial reimbursement from your insurance company. You can also use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for a therapy group, but this often requires a letter of medical necessity.
Some community mental health clinics and graduate school training programs offer free or very low-cost therapy groups. If you find a group and are having trouble affording the cost, ask the therapist about sliding scale fees.
Frequently asked questions
There is no official registry of mental health support groups, but many organizations have directories that list support groups for the communities they serve. To bring awareness to your support group, contact relevant advocacy organizations. For example, you might register a support group for people with PTSD with professional organizations for therapists or veterans.
The ADAA advises anyone starting a support group to do their research and decide on the topic of the group first. After you choose your topic, you’ll need to determine group logistics, such as where to meet (i.e., virtually or in person) and how often to meet. You'll also need to determine whether it will be a peer support group or if you will need a licensed professional to run the meetings.
Once you've decided on the structure of the group, you'll have to get the word out by contacting local organizations and healthcare professionals or by promoting the group through other means, such as via social media.
Even within support groups, there may be multiple areas of focus. For example, some people within a support group for depression may wish to focus primarily on grief and the grieving process. Subgroups allow members with more specific shared experiences to explore similar concerns and find additional ways to connect with one another. Sometimes, subgroups form organically as group members realize they have common experiences, or they can be more intentional.
Group therapy is mental health treatment, which differs from mental health support groups. Typically, therapy sessions are led by one or more mental health professionals — such as a social worker or addiction treatment specialist. To facilitate communication, groups tend to be small, with somewhere between 5 to 15 participants. These groups are often geared toward providing treatment, such as through teaching cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, or helping people process trauma in a therapeutic setting. Some groups are open, meaning people can join at any time. Others are closed, meaning all members start group therapy at the same time and no one else can join until the next enrollment period.
There is no official registry of mental health support groups, but many organizations have directories that list support groups for the communities they serve. To bring awareness to your support group, contact relevant advocacy organizations. For example, you might register a support group for people with PTSD with professional organizations for therapists or veterans.
The ADAA advises anyone starting a support group to do their research and decide on the topic of the group first. After you choose your topic, you’ll need to determine group logistics, such as where to meet (i.e., virtually or in person) and how often to meet. You'll also need to determine whether it will be a peer support group or if you will need a licensed professional to run the meetings.
Once you've decided on the structure of the group, you'll have to get the word out by contacting local organizations and healthcare professionals or by promoting the group through other means, such as via social media.
Even within support groups, there may be multiple areas of focus. For example, some people within a support group for depression may wish to focus primarily on grief and the grieving process. Subgroups allow members with more specific shared experiences to explore similar concerns and find additional ways to connect with one another. Sometimes, subgroups form organically as group members realize they have common experiences, or they can be more intentional.
Group therapy is mental health treatment, which differs from mental health support groups. Typically, therapy sessions are led by one or more mental health professionals — such as a social worker or addiction treatment specialist. To facilitate communication, groups tend to be small, with somewhere between 5 to 15 participants. These groups are often geared toward providing treatment, such as through teaching cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, or helping people process trauma in a therapeutic setting. Some groups are open, meaning people can join at any time. Others are closed, meaning all members start group therapy at the same time and no one else can join until the next enrollment period.
The bottom line
If you have mental health concerns and your finances are tight, support groups can be a great place to start. Some support groups are free while others may come with a small “pay what you can” or low-cost fee.
Mental health support groups may be led by a healthcare professional, but they aren’t considered group therapy or mental health treatment. Support groups can be an effective addition to individual or group mental health therapy. Search online or ask people in your network to recommend an appropriate support group that meets in person or online.
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References
Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (n.d.). Free and anonymous online mental health support communities.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (n.d.). Guide to starting your own support group.
Deibler, M. (2022). Understanding group therapy and support groups. Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
Johnson, B. (2019). Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy. American Psychological Association.
Malhotra, A., et al. (2024). Group therapy. StatPearls.
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Finding help.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Support groups.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Find help and support.
Südmeier, M., et al. (2024). Differential effectiveness of open versus closed psychotherapy groups: A systematic review. The American Journal of Psychotherapy.
TherapyDen. (2025). How much does therapy cost? Key factors and affordable options.
