Support Groups in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Support groups give you the chance to connect with people who truly understand what you’re going through. By sharing stories, challenges, and practical tips, you can feel heard, learn more about your own situation, and feel less alone.

A support group is usually a regular meeting of people—either in person or online—who come together to share information, experiences, problems, and solutions related to a health or social issue.

In Grand Rapids, MI, support groups can be helpful for:

  • People living with a medical condition or mental health concern
  • Family members, partners, and caregivers
  • Anyone adjusting to a major life change (grief, divorce, job loss, etc.)

Support Groups in Grand Rapids, MI

Where Support Groups Meet

In the Grand Rapids area, many support groups meet at:

  • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) clinics and hospital campuses
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health locations
  • Mercy Health outpatient centers
  • Community centers and churches across Kent County
  • Grand Rapids Public Library branches and local neighborhood centers

Groups may feature:

  • Guest speakers such as doctors, nurses, dietitians, or therapists
  • Peer-led discussions where members share their experiences
  • Educational materials about symptoms, treatments, and coping skills
  • Time for informal conversation and socializing

Other support groups are fully online, connecting you with people in Grand Rapids, across Michigan, and around the world through:

  • Message boards and forums
  • Private Facebook groups or social media communities
  • Video meetings (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
  • Group chats and apps

How Support Groups Can Help

Support groups can be especially valuable in a city like Grand Rapids, where cold winters, changing seasons, and chronic health conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, and depression) can affect daily life.

Benefits of Support Groups

Support groups can:

  • Show you that you are not alone
    Hearing from others in West Michigan who face similar challenges can reduce feelings of isolation.

  • Provide emotional and social support
    You can talk openly about fear, stress, sadness, or frustration in a safe, understanding environment.

  • Help you adjust to your situation
    Whether you’re coping with a new diagnosis, long-term illness, grief, or caregiving, you can learn how others in Grand Rapids are managing.

  • Offer practical tips for daily life
    Members may share strategies for dealing with winter blues, staying active in cold weather, managing medications, or navigating local healthcare systems.

  • Help you learn about symptoms, treatment, and side effects
    You can hear how others respond to certain treatments, which questions to ask your doctor, and what local services they’ve found helpful.

  • Improve motivation and self-care
    Regular meetings can encourage you to keep appointments, take medications as prescribed, and follow through with healthy habits.

Online Support Groups: Flexible and Private

Online health support groups are a good option if:

  • You prefer to stay anonymous or use a screen name
  • You feel embarrassed or anxious about talking in person
  • Mobility, transportation, or severe weather (snow, ice, lake-effect storms) make it hard to get to meetings
  • Your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend regular in-person groups

Benefits of online support groups include:

  • Anytime access – you can read and post messages day or night
  • No travel required – join from home, work, or anywhere with internet
  • Greater privacy – you choose what to share and what to keep private

All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.

Types of Support Groups in Grand Rapids

You can find many different types of support groups in the Grand Rapids area, including:

  • Condition-specific groups

    • Cancer support (for patients, survivors, and caregivers)
    • Heart disease and stroke support
    • Diabetes education and support
    • Chronic pain and arthritis support
    • Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions

  • Mental health and emotional support groups

    • Depression and anxiety support
    • Bipolar disorder support
    • Substance use and recovery groups (e.g., AA, NA, SMART Recovery)
    • Trauma and PTSD support

  • Caregiver and family support groups

    • Dementia and Alzheimer’s caregiver groups
    • Parents of children with special healthcare needs
    • Spouse/partner support for serious illness

  • Life change and grief support groups

    • Bereavement and grief groups
    • Divorce and separation support
    • Support for people adjusting to disability or major injury

Many of these are offered through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, local counseling centers, churches, and non-profit organizations.

How to Find a Support Group in Grand Rapids, MI

You can find a local or online support group by:

Talk With Healthcare Providers

  • Ask your primary care doctor or specialist
    Doctors at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and other local clinics often know about condition-specific groups.

  • Check with hospital staff

    • Patient resource centers
    • Oncology or cardiology departments
    • Social workers, case managers, or patient navigators

  • Visit community health centers
    Community clinics and behavioral health providers often host or refer to support groups.

Use Local Public Health and Community Resources

  • Kent County Health Department – offers information on local programs, mental health resources, and chronic disease support.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community organizations – may list support groups for topics like smoking cessation, weight management, or parenting.

Search Online

  • Search terms like:

    • “support groups Grand Rapids MI”
    • “cancer support group Grand Rapids”
    • “caregiver support Kent County Michigan”
    • “depression support group Grand Rapids MI online”

  • Check websites for:

    • Local hospitals (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
    • National organizations with local chapters (e.g., American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association, NAMI)

Ask People You Trust

  • Ask someone you know who has experience with the same condition
  • Talk to a counselor, therapist, or school social worker (for teens and young adults)

Questions to Ask Before Joining a Support Group

Before you join, it’s helpful to learn more about the group and its reputation. You can:

  • Look at the group’s website or flyer
  • Call or email the organizer
  • Ask your doctor or counselor if they are familiar with the group

Key questions include:

  • Who runs the group?

    • A hospital or clinic (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
    • A non-profit organization (e.g., Alzheimer’s Association, NAMI, American Cancer Society)
    • A private counselor or therapist
    • A volunteer or person with lived experience

  • How is the group funded?

    • Is it funded by a healthcare organization, non-profit, or a company that sells related products?
    • Could there be a conflict of interest or pressure to buy something?

  • Is there a cost?

    • Is there a membership fee or donation?
    • Are meetings free?

  • Where and how often does the group meet?

    • In-person in Grand Rapids or surrounding Kent County?
    • Online only?
    • Weekly, monthly, or another schedule?

  • Is there a particular religious or philosophical focus?

    • Some groups are faith-based; others are secular.
    • Choose what aligns with your values and comfort level.

Support Groups Are Not a Substitute for Medical Care

Many support groups in Grand Rapids are run by volunteers or people with personal experience of the condition. They offer valuable understanding and peer support, but they may not be:

  • Healthcare professionals
  • Trained counselors or therapists

Because of this:

  • Be careful about medical advice you receive in a group.
  • Always check treatment recommendations, supplements, or major changes to your care with a licensed healthcare professional you trust, such as your local doctor or specialist.

Before Changing or Stopping a Treatment

If someone in a support group suggests:

  • Stopping a medication
  • Trying an alternative treatment or supplement
  • Avoiding recommended tests or procedures

Talk to your doctor first. It is important to:

  • Understand the risks of stopping or changing treatment
  • Discuss why you’re considering a change
  • Work with your provider to adjust your care plan safely, if needed

Protecting Your Privacy in Support Groups

Whether the group is in person or online, it’s important to protect your personal information.

Know Who Is Running the Group

Find out if the group is organized by:

  • A government or public health organization (e.g., Kent County Health Department)
  • A hospital or clinic
  • A non-profit organization
  • A religious organization
  • A company promoting its products
  • An individual with lived experience

This helps you understand:

  • The group’s goals and motivations
  • Any financial or religious ties that might influence advice or recommendations

Be Careful With Personal Details

Especially in online groups:

  • You do not need to share your full name, address, or date of birth
  • Avoid posting your Social Security number, insurance details, or banking information
  • Be cautious about sharing very detailed medical records or financial information

Use screen names if you prefer, and only share what you feel comfortable sharing.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you’re looking for support beyond a group setting, consider:

  • Your local doctor or primary care provider

    • First stop for medical questions, referrals, and local resources

  • Counselors and therapists

    • Many mental health professionals in Grand Rapids offer individual, family, or group therapy
    • Some specialize in grief, trauma, chronic illness, or caregiver stress

  • Hospital social workers and patient navigators

    • Available at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
    • Can connect you with financial assistance, transportation options, and support services

  • Kent County Health Department & local public health programs

    • Resources for chronic disease management, mental health referrals, and community programs

Support groups in Grand Rapids, MI can be a powerful part of your healing and coping process. By choosing a reputable group, protecting your privacy, and staying in touch with your healthcare team, you can get both the emotional support and the medical guidance you need.