Self Help Groups

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 his or her recovery.

The New York Office of Mental Health did a study on self-help groups in 1993. They found that 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, not because someone has told them to and can plan for their lives based on their own choices and preferences.

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

Mental Health Empowerment Project,

800-643-7462

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STARTING A SELF-HELP GROUP

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.

Role of Group Coordinator

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, letting the local newspaper know about the group.
• Organizes and plans for any outside speakers or other activities to educate the group more well informed. Some groups will have learning and education a goal.

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:

Some other 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
• Isn’t 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.

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GROUP RULES

The facilitator does not determine the group rules, but rather, the group does. Rules are important because they add structure to the group and they set boundaries. People learn to exercise control over their behavior when they know what the boundaries are. The facilitator’s role in the rule-making process is to remind members of the rules throughout the process of the group. The rules of the group can also help people achieve their goals.

Some rules that are common to all groups include:

Confidentiality - This is the most important rule. Self-help groups are successful if there is openness and trust. It’s impossible to establish trust and openness if confidentiality and privacy aren’t respected. Never discuss what was said in the group outside of the group.

Safety - People should feel safe in the group. Threats against another should never be tolerated. The group should also mutually decide what kind of language is considered inappropriate.

Kindness & Support - People will not share their feelings and problems if they are not certain they will be treated with kindness and support.

Respect of People’s differences – Everyone is different. Some people learn by talking and some by listening. Everyone should be encouraged to participate but never forced. By the same token, one person should not be allowed to monopolize the group or engage in discussion that is not productive. This shows a lack of respect for others in the group.

Empowerment - People should be encouraged to make their own decisions and find their own way. Giving advice, lecturing or giving sermons does not empower people. It is very appropriate to share successful coping methods, but members should avoid using "You should" statements.

Attendance - Members should be encouraged to attend regularly. This promotes trust and fellowship.

Tips for dealing with problem behavior:

~ Is this a real crisis or is it an attempt to monopolize the attention of the group?

~ How can the group help this person in a way that will benefit everyone?

When someone is monopolizing, the facilitator should gently shift the attention away from the person in question, while still acknowledging the person in a respectful way. If the discussion becomes too passionate, "time out" can be used.

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DEVELOPING GROUP-LEADER SKILLS

Facilitating a group is a skill, just like riding a bicycle or giving speeches. As you gain more experience, your skills and your confidence will improve. Be yourself and have realistic expectations of the group. Don’t feel like the success of the group rests on you and you alone. A group is like any other team effort. Just like baseball games, you will have good groups, and not-so-good groups. Just like a baseball game, the outcome does not rest on any one person, but rather on the entire team.

From time to time, you may run into difficult situations within the group. People are at different stages of their recovery. Some may have not been allowed to develop social skills. They may be hard to deal with. Not everyone will like you. Just remember to do your best.

Be courteous and respectful of others. Make people feel welcome and appreciated. Be an active listener. People have different communication styles. If you have people from different cultures within your group, it is important to note any differences in communication that may be culturally based. Body language and facial expressions have different meanings in different cultures. Don’t just listen, but attend. To attend means to listen, observe and notice. The following are ways that can improve your attending skills:

• Paraphrase - repeat what you heard the person saying using different words. This is the easiest way to let people know that you heard what they said.
• Explore further - ask questions to help clarify what the person said, but don’t interrogate them.
• Validate - let the person know that the feelings the person is experiencing are okay (don’t condone inappropriate behavior, however).
• Summarize - review the contents of the discussion and talk about the course you want to follow.
• Self-Disclosure/Sharing - Be willing to share your own feeling, experiences, successes and problems. This kind of behavior truly creates a role model.

To find support groups in your area, go to:

http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/ohr/mhs/index.html

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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.