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Mental Health Humor: Basic Ways To Improve a Support Group

Over the years I have facilitated many support groups for mental health. On top of that I have been to a number of Mentor and facilitating training programs and even taught a few people how to run a support group. There are so many ways and so many ideas oh how to do it one could loose the simple basic idea of the group - peer support group in the first place. So, if you’re having a hard time with your group or you want to start a group, here are two basic sheets you can go over at the start that will help.

Now if you have been through the NAMI program you will notice that the very same principles and if you have read over the DBSA, you will see the same things… WHY? Because I have always felt that both have a lot to offer so I would make it in to one guide to use as a basic format.

In order for a support group to work, you need order. So to start my group I would explain that I’m not a doctor, I don’t have all the answers, and that I’m a peer and just here to make the group run smoothly. Then I would read over the groups guidelines.

Bipolar Group Guidelines

1. Start and stop on time

2. Time limit for opening stories

3. Absolute confidentiality

4. Be respectful

5. Keep it in the present

6. Empathize with each others situation

I would make sure every one understood the guide lines and would start letting every one take a turn reading the Principles Of Support.

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Principles of Support

1. We will see the individual first, not the illness.

2. We recognize mental illnesses are brain disorders.

3. We aim for better coping skills.

4. We find strength in sharing experiences.

5. We reject stigma in others and ourselves.

6. We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own.

7. We forgive ourselves and reject guilt.

8. We embrace humor as healthy.

9. We accept that we cannot resolve all problems.

10. We expect a better future in a realistic way.

Every one say #11

11. We will never give up hope!

Once that was done, I would go into intro, stories, or talk about a group need… And there you have a basic format to run a group!

Thanks for dropping by:

Chato B. Stewart
Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things!
http://www.mentalhealthhumor.com

“Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.”

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