Why Self-Help Groups Work

Why Self-help Works
Starting Support Groups
Coordinating the Group
Group Facilitators
Do's & Don'ts for Group Facilitators

Why Self-help Works

Support groups are a very effective tool to help people reach recovery. When a person attends a support group, he isn’t just passively receiving mental health services, but is actively working on recovery.

There are a number of reasons why self-help works. First, self-help provides a social network. Many people become isolated after learning they have a diagnosis of mental illness. People often feel they have been robbed of their humanity. In a self-help group, people are able to share with others how having a diagnosis has impacted their lives. Second, self-help groups give people a chance to help others. In our society, people who help others are looked up to. Many people feel a sense of satisfaction and self esteem when they can help another person. Third, these groups give people the opportunity to share coping skills with others. Learning that they can still have a life even though they have symptoms gives people hope. Hope is an essential ingredient of recovery.

Fourth, groups provide positive role models. Group members can model their behavior following someone who has achieved success despite having a mental illness. Finally, self-help is a meaningful activity. A person attends because they choose to. (New York Office of Mental Health, 1993).

To learn more about research that has been done on self-help groups, contact:

Mental Health Empowerment Project,

800-643-7462

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Starting Support Groups

There are many other important reasons to attend self-help support groups. This guide can help people start their own groups. Keep in mind that this is only a guide. Just as every person is different, every group is different. How you structure your group depends on the needs of its individual members.

Shared Leadership

Shared Leadership is very important to the success of a self-help group. In shared leadership, people’s roles are flexible and rotate. No one person is in charge of all of the activities all of the time. Although people in the group may be at different stages of their recovery, all members are equal and important. No single person is responsible for the success of the group. Everyone is valuable and contributes to the group. The coordinator and facilitator of the group have certain clear responsibilities, but are not "above" anyone in the group.

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Coordinating the Group

The role of the group coordinator is to get the group going. A group coordinator:

• Arranges all of the physical details such as finding a place to hold the meeting, arranging transportation for people and providing refreshments.
• Coordinates the advertising and outreach to let people know the group is meeting. This includes calling members, distributing fliers, and letting the local newspaper know about the group.
• Organizes and plans for any outside speakers or other activities. Back to Top

Group Facilitators

The facilitator’s role is different than the coordinator’s role. The word facilitate means "to ease." Facilitators help members meet the goals of the group and "ease" the process. The responsibilities of the group facilitator includes:

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Do’s & don’ts for group facilitators:

• DO Remind the group of the importance of confidentiality. Maintaining confidentiality is the most important rule of the group. Without a commitment to confidentiality, there can be no trust. Without trust, the group interactions will be meaningless.
• DO Listen more than talk, but be an active listener. An active listener pays attention to non-verbal as well as verbal comments. The active listener also is aware of his or her own feelings and attitudes and how they can influence opinions.
• DO Remember you are an equal member of the group and should share your own experiences, feelings and opinions when asked.
• DO Encourage all group members to participate and interact with each other.
• DO Confront others with sensitivity and never allow the group members to confront each other in a way that is hurtful or destructive.
• DO Stay aware of the special needs of people in the group.
• DO Direct the discussion only when necessary.
• DO Refer serious problems to a professional.

A group facilitator:

• Does not do group therapy. Neither the group facilitator nor the group members are trained to do this. Not only that, group therapy defeats the purpose of why you’re here.
• Does not make judgements about people in the groups or their problems. Also, the group leader should never act surprised or disgusted by what someone says. Don’t allow gossip to undermine the trust of the group. If someone has an issue with another group member, wait until that person is present to talk about them.
• Does not control the group. The facilitator should keep the conversation on track but shouldn’t monopolize the conversation. nor is he or she expected to have all of the answers to everyone’s problems. Let the group help solve the problem.
• Does not patronize, lecture, teach, preach or have a "know it all" attitude. Let the group help in the process and share their experiences and successes. This is empowerment. Don’t tell other members what they should or shouldn’t do. The facilitator is not a parent or boss. Don’t give advice unless specifically asked, and even then, cautiously. People become empowered when they make their own decisions and find their own way. Even though you know your way will avoid a lot of pain and suffering, people should be allowed to make their own choices.
• Does not act like a parent. Group members are adults and are responsible for their own feelings and behavior. Don’t feel like you have to reassure people that they are doing well.
• Does not carry the problems of the group into their personal life. Members may want to know if they can call on you to answer questions or provide support outside of the group. Be cautious about the answer you provide. Remember, the purpose of the group is to empower people. Replacing a dependency on a therapist with a dependency on you is not empowering.
• And finally and most important, never, never, never breach confidentiality. The group is based on openness and trust. Breaching confidentiality destroys trust in a way that can never be repaired.

The information and content provided on the CHN site are offered for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical, psychiatric, psychological or behavioral health care advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or behavioral health condition.