topics for peer support groupstopics for peer support groups

In the group we discuss concerns, challenges, and feelings with others and learn new ways to cope and adapt. If you are the group's facilitator, here are some helpful guidelines for running these meetings. Drop-in. We know of one group that met virtually from 6 AM to 8 AM because thats when everyone was available, another that arranged weekly 30- to 60-minute videoconferences during the Covid-19 pandemic, and others that scheduled ad hoc meetings when members faced new or unexpected challenges. American psychologist, Vol. (1995). WebThe Brain Injury Association of Louisiana offers a virtual support group that meets the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. CST. Be sure that everyone understands the rules. Talk in pairs to discuss an issue of importance - one person can speak at a time while the other listens attentively. Planning and Setting Up a Peer Support Group Prepare to set-up peer support groups (PSG) around facility catchment areas. In a support group, members are equals; this can make people feel much more comfortable opening up about their problems. Explain whether the group is open or closed and what that means. It is a video and chatroom app that allows people to join support discussions with others on similar life journeys. Inside each module are 1-hour training sessions complete with supporting resources and materials. Best for Young People in Crisis: The Trevor Project. A larger organization can often offer resources and assistance in setting up a new support group. Group Facilitation. A helpful YPO template weve seen some groups use is to ask all present to share the things that are in their top 5% (biggest opportunities) or bottom 5% (greatest challenges). Support groups empower people to work to solve their own problems. Using a fictional example, let's look at how someone might set up a support group with the help of a larger organization. Common topics include transformational change, crisis management, alternative business models, effective hiring, being a good boss, attitudes toward money and financial planning, childcare and eldercare, confronting mortality, and religion and spirituality. Among people who are experiencing similar problems, there is a unique emotional identification that is different from the type of support that can be gotten from professionals. Members also build camaraderie and form connections that help them feel safe, grounded, and capable in a volatile and uncertain world. The coaching is provided free of charge to family members via 10- to 30-minute phone calls. Open support groups are those in which new members are welcome to join at any time during the life of the group. Its remarkably comforting to know that my problems are being considered by some of the best minds, who care about my business as much as I care for theirs. At the consultancy Spitfire Strategies, Kristen Grimm, the founder and president, has introduced peer pods, self-directed, virtual peer support groups in which employees with similar responsibilities and pressures discuss their professional growth, find creative solutions to problems, and ultimately learn to operate at a higher level. Other subjects weve seen tackled in forums include: Novakoski notes that his YPO group covers hard stuff like strategic, financial, and operational decisions, as well as softer questions like, How do we hire the right kind of people? Fifteen years ago, Mike Novakoski, the president and CEO of EV Construction, joined a local peer support group for company leaders run by YPO (formerly the Young Presidents Organization). The sweet spot is typically four to seven people for virtual forums and five to 10 for forums that meet mostly in person. United Kingdom Diabetes UK has support groups across the United Kingdom. Drop-in peer support meeting). A guide to the benefits and best practices. WebFact Finding Icebreaker Activity. Best Structured Group: NAMI Connection. "I'm sorry to hear that. If a forum is an in-company group, members and executives decide together what may (or must) be shared with bosses or HR. Although this article focuses primarily on professional forums, they can also be used in many other settings, such as schools (for instance, for teenage children of divorced parents), health care facilities (for, say, parents of kids born through IVF), and community organizations (for people who have lost a spouse). You will need to decide on a destination before going! These build cohesion and resilience across the organization, serve as an all-employee benefit, and generate bottom-up insights. Here are some ways you can close the meeting: After the discussion had wound down, Yoshiko followed the above steps in this way: "I see it's getting to be about the time we'd agreed that we'd stop, and I know many of you would like to get home, so I think we'd better wrap up for the evening.". Take a step back if and when you need to. Then there are forums that look beyond business topics and focus on big social issues (like education, health, or economic development) or specific personal interests (children with special needs, medical issues). WebPeer Support Groups. But rather than seeing these groups a counselling groups, they might attract more participants, and lessen stigma, it they were called mentoring groups or peer support groups. Grimm emphasizes that its crucial for the leader to set high expectations for sharing so that a forum can address anxieties, build connective tissue between members, and become a real learning laboratory.. Center for Community Support and Research. Others must guess which is which. WebRecruitment and ethical considerations for groups. Private groups dont generally open themselves up to outsiders, and anyone who attends (even as a onetime facilitator or trainer) is generally expected to fully contribute. Status as fellow alumni may not be a sufficient basis for sustained peer quality. Professional-Led Group Visits 14 III. 14,579. members. Is conflict addressed in a timely and effective manner? WebAll groups are led by Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialists (CIPSS) who have experienced mental health and/or substance use challenges and are on their own chosen path of recovery. This is the most informal method of recruiting people for support groups, but it's the most effective. [The structure] is ideal for a group of practicing managers facing real business issues.. WebSTAYING CONNECTED IS IMPORTANT: VIRTUAL RECOVERY RESOURCES INTRODUCTION In an infectious disease outbreak, when social . What do I do? Some of the richest conversations may focus not on immediate business or personal issues but on broader themes like purpose, resilience, or balance. Camilla decided on the following solutions: As you can see above, two of the three solutions that Camilla decided on involved help from other members. groups. They normalize the challenges of being a leader and help build courage to step up to them, says Andy Billings, EAs head of profitable creativity. Because they are both inexpensive and effective ways to offer assistance to people dealing with a variety of concerns, support groups have become a common method of serving the needs of people who are experiencing problems in their lives. 2) Liked the section that explains research. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Best for Teens and Their Parents: Gender Spectrum. ", She had only one announcement: "By the way, there'll be a car wash fundraiser for the local chapter of the MDA next Saturday from noon to four p.m. at First Baptist Church, so tell as many people as you can about it.". Members can share information, keeping one another up to date on news of interest to them. At any given time, over 6.25 million Americans are using self-help groups, and about 15 million have participated in such a group at some time in their lives. Many locations offer specialized groups for children, individuals with younger-onset and early-stage Alzheimer's, adult caregivers and others with specific needs. After carefully studying this section of the Community Tool Box, Yoshiko decided to find out whether the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a national organization, sponsored a support group in her town. Webmay have concerns that cannot be addressed via a peer support group. If the group is caught up in a particularly intense discussion or in helping a member solve a problem, you might go a few extra minutes, but generally it's best to stop before everyone is tired and eager to leave. For example, the local crisis center may offer a six-week support group twice yearly for people who have lost a family member to suicide, rather than a single, year-round group. Best Local: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. View next groups. ", After she got home, Yoshiko sat down with a cup of coffee and wrote some notes on the meeting: "Brian talked about his concerns about how MD will affect his upcoming family trip; Camilla talked about how tough it is to be a single mom with MD. Find out what's happening in Peer Support Meetup groups around the world and start meeting up with the ones near you. If this isn't your first meeting, review the topics that were talked about last time. A pod might be the first place someone says something out loud that they might otherwise hold back, Grimm notes. WebThis support group is open to anyone who is a senior with a loved one who is blind or has impaired vision. The ideal facilitator will possess the following qualities: The details of the facilitator's job - running the meetings - are explained later on in this section; you may wish to refer to that when selecting somebody for the position. ADDA offers a number of ADHD support groups online, making it easy to find a group of like-minded peers. ), Personal finances (How much is enough for me? Support groups can be long-running, or they can be restricted for certain periods of time. Wait 10 seconds or so and then, if no other members have done so, offer support. How do you let people know that you're listening? Yoshiko's sister was recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. WebPeer Support groups: Groups led by others with similar interests. Members show up on time and silence their devices. WebProvides links and guidance on topics related to parent support groups including on how to start a group, how to improve a group, adding programs or services to a group, training for parent groups, and more. Office politics may stifle conversation; organizational changes (like restructuring, promotions, and departures) can be disruptive. Members build from a common educational experience, going far deeper than typical alumni social or networking events. Web- and Email-Based Programs 35 IX. In dealing with difficult group members, support group facilitators must learn a delicate combination of control mixed with kindness. These include: Advocating for people in recovery. WebArts and Crafts: Create a Book or Brochure: Split the kids into small groups to work on a book about any topic.Provide them with reference materials in need, but set clear guidelines for the quality of work. Two Dreams defines recovery as happening in three phases: Coming In, Looking In, and Looking Out.. Support groups are used to address a myriad of concerns, such as: Besides serving people directly affected by a problem, support groups often welcome family members or friends of those experiencing illnesses or difficulties. Really relevant to Peers. Picking the right person to lead your support group is of utmost importance. Whether you are a new DBSA facilitator or an experienced one, raise your facilitation skills up to the next level by attending DBSAs free, interactive Virtual Facilitator Training. Learn More. For years business leaders have turned to peer forumsgroups of four to 10 people with similar interests who meet regularly for confidential conversationsto share their problems, find support and insights, and learn and grow. The UCLA Principal Leadership Institutes forums are each made up of six to 10 alumni of UCLAs masters program for educators, who are district leaders or full, assistant, or aspiring principals, mostly serving in high-poverty communities. When members of Yoshiko's group were introducing themselves, one young man named Brian mentioned that his family was planning a trip to the Rockies and that he was concerned about his ability to withstand the higher altitudes. See more ideas about therapy activities, counseling activities, therapeutic activities. (1995). Vol. 5. Talking to others in support groups reduces anxiety, improves self-esteem, and helps members' sense of well-being overall. While challenges can be addressed one at a time, a holistic approach is more likely to identify key problems and their causes and help you find long-term solutions. Taught by experienced support group facilitators, this 8-hour introductory training class includes 2 3 separate sessions featuring lecture, At the first meeting for Yoshiko's MD support group, she was pleasantly surprised to see that 15 people showed up. Heres what usually happens at a good forum meeting in YPO and many other groups: Check-in. The concept of peer support is simple: In groups or one-on-one, people with similar experiences share their stories, trade practical advice, applaud triumphs, and support each other through struggles. When a forum is functioning at its highest level, each member can honestly say, Theres nothing holding me back from being fully attentive, engaged, open, and trusting today. But sometimes members may be distracted, irritated, angry, or sad because of issues within or outside the group, personal or professional. Is there adequate parking nearby? The results can be astounding with members often trying new things and feeling more positive. Members know that they can trust one another completely, and they restate their commitment to privacy at every meeting. You may want to invite a Subject Matter Expert to complement the subject matter. Introduction. WebSome groups are sponsored by or meet in a church; one sprung up in a Community Mental Health Center that realized the relevance of faith to recovery. Are we all carrying our own weightparticipating fully, expressing appreciation for others contributions, and raising concerns when we have them? When Brian said, "I feel bad because I think I'm becoming a burden to my family," Yoshiko could have offered support by saying: Yoshiko could also encourage other members to offer support by saying: While solving problems shouldn't be the only goal of a support group, it is something that many members hope for and expect. WebThe Need for Peer Support, Hope and Encouragement Stroke survivors and their family caregivers need help adjusting to the changes in their lives. 3, No. WebPeer-to-peer support group for individuals living as LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. The Blended peer support group is a 7-week group. In times of crisis (like the pandemic), a forum can focus the agenda on critical or shared challenges. Membership fees are typically required; sometimes its difficult for participants to attend, given their work responsibilities. For years business leaders have turned to peer forumsgroups of four to 10 people with similar interests who meet In particular, wed like to thank the hundreds of YPO members whove given us invaluable insights and the leaders, facilitators, and members of other forums who have shared what has worked for them. 1994-2023The University of Kansas. Body language (leaning slightly towards the speaker, not fidgeting), Eye contact (looking in the speaker's eyes, not looking around the room), Brief encouraging statements, also sometimes called nonverbal encouragers ("Uh-huh" or "Mmm-hmm"), Repeating or rephrasing the speaker's last phrase to let him know you understood. A variety of electronic tools, as well as paper-based agendas and templates for updates, presentations, and exercises, can help make meetings more effective. Uses the 12-step program of AA. Group meetings for caregivers are essential for all the reasons identified in this article. Still others are for people with a particular gender, racial, or sexual affinity. I'm happy to see so many of you came tonight. For example, meeting in a member's home can add an element of comfort, but groups are much more accessible to newcomers if held in public places; therefore, meeting in somebody's home should probably only be done if it's a closed group. There may not be rules regarding attendance (Ex. WebFind the best group therapy and support groups near you. WebSupport groups provide an extension of peer support into a community of others like me. The social advantages of support groups are inherent in the structure itself. She offered to call her sister and arrange for Camilla's children to carpool with them to school in exchange for help with gas money.