Online support networks

Maiken Scott talks with psychologist Dan Gottlieb about the importance of online support networks.

The internet has become a valuable resource for people looking for support, with web sites, groups, and chat rooms dealing with pretty much any obstacle one could face in life.

For Philadelphian musician Brian McTear, it was the only place where he could connect with a very close friend, Bobby Wolter. Both men were living with cystic fibrosis – a genetic disorder that claimed Bobby’s life last week. They couldn’t meet in person since there is danger of passing infections, but talked in depth about their lives, beliefs, and fear of death on their blog, Brian and Bobby Speak. WHYY’s Behavioral Health reporter Maiken Scott came across their exchange – and asked psychologist Dan Gottlieb about the importance of online support networks:

Read Brian and Bobby’s blog about living with Cystic Fibrosis.