Why
Start a Support Group?
Former
US Surgeon General Koop has noted that "My years as a
medical practitioner, as well as my own first-hand experience,
has taught me how important self-help groups are in assisting
their members in dealing with problems, stress, hardship and
pain... Today, the benefits of mutual aid experienced by millions
of people who turn to others with a similar problem to attempt
to deal with their isolation, powerlessness, alienation, and
the awful feeling that nobody understands." - former
Surgeon General Koop (in the book, Self-Help: Concepts and
Applications, edited by A. Katz, et. al,Charles Press, 1992
from the
self help group sourcebook online
Benefits of Attending a Support Group
Here are some excerpts from a Scottish site on the benefits
of family support group memberships:
Members become part of a collective voice.
The group is non-judgemental. This creates a safe environment
for members to disclose their problems.
Members become more informed
Reduces likelihood of member becoming dependent on the support
from a one-one relationship.
Reduces stress experienced by the family member. The sharing
of information and experience can reduce the anxiety of
members and the isolation they feel.
Builds confidence for coping. Being able to discuss their
circumstances enables members to look at how they cope,
think about the advantages and disadvantages associated
and adapt their coping strategies.
Empowers the family member. By acquiring new knowledge,
skills and growth in self confidence gained from attending
the group, the family member can increase their capacity
to manage internal and external issues affecting their lives
Development of skills.
Improved communication with other family members
Review
of Research on the Effectiveness of Self-Help Mutual Aid Groups
by Barbara J. White and Edward J. Madara of Stanford University,
2002. Gives several brief non scientific descriptions of research
results of participation in support groups over a long period
of time. Great examples shows quantifiably the practical value
of participation in support group.
What
do Self-Help and Volkswagon Beetle Have in Common?
By Roya Rabbani. "In the latest issue of the International
Journal of Self-Help and Self-Care, I read an article about
the development of self-help groups in Germany by Professor
Jürgen Matzat...there are more than 70,000 self-help
groups in Germany totaling 3-4 million members (United Germany’s
population is 80 million). There are also more than 250 self-help
associations serving different cities and districts. The article
notes that self-help is seen as “the Forth Pillar”
of Germany’s health system.
The article describes a study of factors contributing to the
development and growth of self-help groups in Germany which
indicated that the regions with specialized self-help advice
centers - Kontaktstellen - had growing numbers of self-help
groups and had more people joining them.
I read on with absolute awe about Germany’s health reform
of January 2000 which sets out a nationwide budget to develop
and support self-help groups of over 70 million DM (approximately
US$ 35 million). This equals close to 1.00 DM per insured
citizen."
The
Value of Self-Help Support Groups
Gives examples of why support groups are valuable and useful.
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