I started a meet up group for people with social anxiety and depression in my area - so far its been a fairly decent success. I host, arrange and organize regular events. Currently there are 91 people in in and we have been offered financial perks and have been acknowledged by two mental health agencies. We have also been approached by counsellors and practitioners of anxiety reduction methods for free talks and demonstrations.
My theory was that if there were people who understood how it felt to have problems like this then there would be a sense of empathy and non judgement - all the while exposing people outside of their comfort zones just a little (which would mean personal growth to overcome anxiety)
As for the meet ups themselves - there are a few regulars, some I have not met at all but who often RSVP for events, others come to one and then pull out. But they are always welcoming, supportive, friendly and non judging (or at least I try to make it that way) - there is a sense of encouragement and warmth in meeting up with people who feel a similar way.
I think if you are feeling that you need to be around people, then perhaps a social anxiety group might be good... it could be a little awkward at first, but you can take comfort in the fact that people in the group will understand you - or at the very least sympathize with your situation (or at least they should, otherwise it would not be a very good anxiety group) - much easier than being thrown in the deep end.
