iO Depression & Anxiety Support Group - Registration Form

The support circle at iO

A good healthcare system works at multiple levels:

- At personal level, involving self-care.
- At institutional scale, seeking healthcare professionals like doctors and therapists
- At political level, where you design, implement, or demand policies for better public health
- And community level, where you seek emotional or practical support from friends and family.

In Pakistan, you’re likely to have several relatives drop by your house or hospital room with a fruit basket if you’re fighting a physical problem, say, a gall stone. This is what community support looks like.

But if you’re struggling with a mental health condition, say, a depressive episode, it can be hard to find social support due to the enormous stigma associated. Friends and relatives sometimes don’t acknowledge the intensity of your condition, and the difficulty you’re experiencing.

This is why support groups can be incredibly important. Although rare in Pakistan, support groups bring together people struggling with relatable problems like depression or abuse, and allow them to help one another.

How does a support group work?

You sit in a circle with other people and share your experiences. These gatherings are usually moderated; often by a healthcare professional. Tea or coffee will usually be available at these meetings.

What can we expect from a support group?

Support groups are an excellent way to monitor your health progress. It’s cheaper and less energy-intensive than an individual session with a therapist, so we recommend meeting regularly. Remember that if you’re coming to a support group, you’re coming not just for yourself, but also to help others in somewhat similar circumstances as you.

Note, however, that a support group on its own may not be enough to help you. A good moderator is able to screen the participants for more severe mental health conditions, and recommend individual sessions with a psychiatrist or a psychologist in addition to the support group.

So we just…talk?

If it helps, yes. If you’re not comfortable sharing, you can choose to stay quiet and listen to others, and hopefully learn from their experiences and discussions.

We also carry a number of activities and simple exercises aimed at self-assessment and self-exploration. Members often forge meaningful friendships at support groups, sometimes hanging out later at Cafe Sol to play board and card games; or taking part in other events and activities.

How often do I need to come to a support group?

Like any social meetup, the first few sessions are really just about introducing ourselves to each other. Support groups are most effective when participants attend regularly (usually once a week) for 5-7 sessions. That’s when people start feeling comfortable enough to be honest about their struggles and associated emotions, and that’s when the moderated group has the best chance to offer practical help.

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Cafe Sol is running a support group for people with depression and anxiety. The group meets every weekend at iO - The Space, adjacent to Cafe Sol.

Each group consists of 5-10 people, each moderated by Dr Faraz Talat (MD, CBT specialist, practicing formerly in Devon, England). There are no charges for the support sessions, but a one-time registration fees of Rs 1000 is appreciated.

Depression has a way of isolating you from the people who can help you the most. Don’t let it happen. We are millions of people struggling quietly in millions of different rooms, feeling alone and unwanted. Support groups are a way of uniting us against a common opponent.

The best way forward, is together.

You can sign up for the support group at iO using the form below: