Developing and implementing an adult support group
PCN 520 Grand Canyon Week 8 Discussion 1 Latest July 2016
When developing and implementing an adult support group, the following important guidelines should be considered: how the group is organized, how the format of each group session is structured, and what the short- and long-term outcomes of the group are. Consider the following three adult support groups: an HIV/AIDS support group, a support group for college students, and a domestic violence support group. What similarities do you see, and how do these similarities suggest guidelines for developing these groups?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Developing and implementing an adult support group
Introduction
If you’re looking for an adult support group, it’s important to be realistic about your expectations. Support groups are not a magic bullet that will solve all of your problems and make you feel better in just one meeting. However, they can be an important part of getting through life. You may have heard that starting an adult support group can be difficult or even impossible—but if you approach it with patience and persistence, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t succeed!
Determine who will manage the program.
Once you have decided to begin a support group, it’s important to determine who will manage the program. The leader should be someone with experience in running a similar adult support group and/or working with substance abusers. A person who has worked with others in recovery for a long time may be the best person for this role because they can help keep track of progress and make sure that everyone is doing well. This person also makes sure that finances are kept up-to-date so there are no problems later on when things get tight or money becomes scarce.
Establish practical details and timelines.
To ensure that your group is a success, you will need to establish practical details and timelines. First, plan for a minimum of two hours per meeting. The meetings should be held at least every two weeks, so that members can attend without feeling too far behind or getting behind in their work schedules. The number of sessions you want to hold is up to you—the more time spent discussing each topic at hand and sharing personal experiences with others in the group, the better! However, keep in mind that many people find it helpful if there’s an established schedule every week or so (for example: Mondays from 6-7 p.m., Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m.). This way everyone knows what times they should be attending without having any surprises show up unexpectedly on their calendars!
Decide on the type of group.
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Decide on the type of group. Support groups can be for a specific group (e.g., women, men, teens), or they can be based on a specific need or topic (e.g., grief, stress).
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Choose the right location for your support group activities because some people are more comfortable in familiar surroundings while others prefer to meet in an alternative setting with less noise and distraction around them.
Meet regularly, at least during the planning process.
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Meet regularly, at least during the planning process.
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Meet before the group starts to plan activities.
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Meet after the group is formed to evaluate its success or failure.
Develop and test your skills as a support group facilitator.
As a support group facilitator, you will be responsible for helping people work through their problems. This can be challenging at times and requires that you have a firm understanding of how the group works and the skills required to facilitate it effectively.
To prepare yourself for this role:
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Develop and test your skills as a support group facilitator. This can be done by participating in mock sessions or shadowing experienced facilitators who work with groups similar to yours (e.g., mental health professionals). If possible, try out different types of roles—such as leader or therapist—to see which one feels more natural to you before making any final decisions about where best suited for your needs!
Create a scope for the group.
Before you start on the group, it’s important to define what your goals are. Don’t worry about what other people’s goals are; set yours instead. Be ambitious, but also realistic. If you want to lose 10 pounds in three months, then that’s a good goal—but don’t try and do it too fast!
You can use this same process for any fitness activity. For example: if your goal is running 10 miles per week over the next six months (a reasonable amount), then write down all of the reasons why that would be beneficial for you and how it will benefit others as well (e., “it will help me feel better about myself”).
Invite participants who have similar support needs.
Invite participants who have similar support needs.
It is important to invite people who are in the same situation, as well as those with similar interests and goals. The group should be able to work together, share their experiences, and help each other achieve their goals. If you feel like there aren’t enough people in your area that would be interested in attending a support group for adults with disabilities or mental illness, consider creating one yourself! You can find more information about starting a community here: [https://www.nimhdirectoriesonlineorg/pages/community-organizing].
Work with people from the community to help you provide the best resources for your participants and their needs.
You should work with people from the community to help you provide the best resources for your participants and their needs.
If you’re not sure who might have useful knowledge about the topic, ask around or look for a local support group that can provide advice on starting up an adult support group in your area.
Figure out how to contact your participants before you meet with them.
Before you meet with your participants, it’s important to make sure that they’re aware of what the meeting is going to be about. You can do this by sending them an email or leaving a message on their phone. Another option is to send out flyers in their neighborhood advertising the event and inviting them to attend.
You should also provide some information about how the meeting will work (e.g., who will facilitate it, who else will be there). If possible, try not to make it too complicated; just say something like: “I want us all to get together and talk about our experiences as adults.”
Creating an adult support group is possible, but it takes time, effort and expertise.
Creating an adult support group is possible, but it takes time, effort and expertise.
It’s important to have an experienced facilitator who understands the needs of people with mental health challenges and who can identify ways to help them deal with their problems. The group should be open and welcoming; this means that everyone there feels comfortable sharing their experiences and finding solutions together. You should also make sure that your participants feel safe in order for them to participate fully in the process of developing solutions or finding answers through talking about what happened at home or work situations where they felt upset or worried about something happening again soon!
Conclusion
The best way to develop an adult support group is to start small, but also be sure that you have the resources available. You can always add more people as you go along, but don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by this process. With a little bit of planning and organization, you can put together a group that will help people with their needs in a caring manner.
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