How to Develop a Support Group

Support groups are made up of a variety of people who have a life element in common in which all of the individuals feel they could use support. These individuals may all need support for a disability, an illness, an addiction, a mental health issue or other life situation.



Support groups are useful because they provide people with a safe place to discuss their feelings and a situation without fear of judgment or discrimination. Support groups are also a place where peers meet together as equals, unlike a therapy session.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine what kind of support group you would like to start. Consider what issues or concerns you have in your life that you could use support with, such as an illness or disability. It's likely there are other people in your community who would like support with this part of their lives as well.

• 2

  Meet with other local support group leaders. Ask them questions like what they wished they'd known when they first started, what advice they'd like to share, how they organized their group, etc. You can locate support group leaders by watching your local newspaper for support group announcements, asking your physician for suggestions, and asking local community centers and churches if they are aware of any local support groups. There are some online resources that provide search tools for locating regional support groups (see Resources).

• 3

  Determine when you would like your first meeting to be and where it will be held. It is best to hold support groups in public locations, like community centers or libraries. If you know of any places where support groups are held, particularly support groups similar to the one you want to begin, you may ask the places where these groups are held--the building may have a free night you could use. Otherwise, contact community centers, libraries, schools and churches, and ask around in your community for suggestions.

• 4

  Find others who are interested in your support group. Make fliers and post them in public places where such people might frequent. For example, if you would like to start a support group for cancer patients, see if your local oncology center or hospital has a community board where such things can be posted. Also consider posting information about your support group in local community newspapers or websites.

• 5

  Determine what you would like to address during your first support group meeting.

  Topics for discussion could include who would like to be involved with organizing and maintaining the group, and letting group members get to know one another, become comfortable with each other and perhaps share their current experiences. You may also want to arrange for simple refreshments.

• 6

  Hold the first meeting. Arrange chairs in a circle so the environment encourages sharing and visiting. Warmly greet everyone. Discuss what you planned in Step 5. Take down the contact information of anyone who would like to help organize and maintain the group. This meeting should include discussing other attendees' preferences and desires for the support group. Discuss who would like to help you organize the support group. Make note of these individuals' contact information.

• 7

  Contact the individuals who are interested in helping you organize the support group. Schedule a meeting where you can organize how the group will run and function.

• 8

  Hold the meeting for the support group organizers. Discuss which individuals will perform which roles--for example, someone to organize meeting places and times, someone to publicize the support group, someone to oversee refreshments and someone to facilitate the meetings. The facilitator is the person who calls the meeting to order and keeps the members on track in terms of time, subject matter and the rules. Also discuss the desired frequency of the meetings--some groups meet weekly, some bi-monthly and some monthly.

• 9

  Share the decisions made at the meeting held in Step 8 with the rest of the support group next time the group meets. Ensure everyone is aware of the rules and is prepared to treat other group members in a supportive, encouraging fashion.

• 10

  Consider meeting with a health care professional relevant to your support group or a counselor to discuss any suggestions this person may have for working with individuals who are dealing with what your support group addresses.