Written on May 11, 2022
Suffering a burn injury is a traumatic and often isolating event. Navigating the recovery process can be exhausting and overwhelming. Many burn survivors find that enduring the emotional and mental stress that comes with a burn injury is just as taxing as the physical pain or discomfort.
Your burn team is a great resource as you begin the road to recovery and learn more about treatment options. But you’re likely also looking for emotional and mental support to keep you motivated, encouraged, and optimistic. In addition to speaking with a counselor, joining a peer support group can help.
Online support groups for burn survivors offer immense relief and aid in the mental and emotional recovery after a traumatic burn injury. Learn more about what survivors can expect from online burn support groups so you can decide if joining one is the next right move for you.
Though the emotional journey looks different for every burn survivor, there’s a grieving process that all burn survivors go through, including:
Denial
Inability to sleep or eat
Feelings of deep sadness, anger, anxiety, or guilt
Self-consciousness
Nightmares
Obsessively replaying accident
Avoiding reminders of or conversations about the accident
If these symptoms resonate with you, you’re not alone. Joining a support group of people who know what you’re going through and understand the complexity of your emotions can reduce the sense of isolation and aid in your recovery. A support group is a place where you can talk openly about your feelings, thoughts, and struggles without judgment.
When you join an online support group for burn survivors, you can expect to meet people from all walks of life with burn injuries of varying degrees. It’s important to remember that everyone is at a different place along their healing journey. Still, peer support from fellow burn survivors can be massively beneficial at any stage in the process.
Those who don’t have convenient access to a local hospital or burn treatment location may find that joining a virtual group works better than an in-person group. Even if both options are readily available, you may simply prefer to meet virtually. Virtual support groups offer added layers of accessibility and anonymity, especially if your local hospital or place of treatment is far away. Join with or without a camera; participate out loud or share your ideas in the chat. Some survivors choose just to listen, and that’s perfectly OK too.
You will receive an online Zoom link and be invited to join in virtual group support. Group support is facilitated by an administrator and a support counselor, and each person on the call will be invited to introduce themselves.
During the call, survivors share their stories, experiences, and questions to help one another throughout the journey. Participants may be newly burned or many years out from their injury. If you’re in need of additional support, reach out to the Phoenix Society team to help connect you with a peer supporter or mental health professional.
After the call, the group facilitator will provide you and/or your family member with tools and resources. Register online to find a burn survivor support group near you.
Set yourself up for success with a few simple steps to help you not only benefit from but also contribute to the kind of community and peer support connections burn survivors are looking for at every stage of their journey.
Find a quiet space for discussion. If you’re meeting with a group virtually, choose a quiet place to log on, free of distractions. Check your connection ahead of time.
Notify the group of any additional visitors in the room. Let the group know if you will have friends or family members nearby so everyone’s privacy is protected and participants can choose to be off-camera if they wish.
Remember that while sharing your story can be healing, so can listening. Listen while offering your fellow group members compassion and understanding. At the same time, gather important information, resources, and advice from others to heal.
Create a list of topics you’d like to discuss. Especially if you are new to the burn survivor community, you probably have lots of questions. Write your questions down so you can be prepared to discuss them at your next support group meeting.
Looking to expand your community? Join the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors on the second and fourth of every month Monday evenings at 7:00 PM EST or visit our calendar for a list of other support groups and activities, and explore our resource library.
Not quite ready for online video support? Check out our peer support chat on Facebook.
Disclaimer: The stories featured on this website are personal accounts shared by individuals from the burn community. Each burn injury, recovery journey, and healing process is unique. These stories are meant to offer connection, insight, and hope but are not intended as medical advice. What worked for one person may not be appropriate for others. The perspectives shared in these stories do not necessarily represent the views of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. If you have medical questions or concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.