What Is a Self-Help Organization?

Self-help organizations bring together groups of people with common interests, problems or concerns to support each other. The most common organizations exist for people with addictions or illnesses, in which participants help each other deal with crises.

Identification

• Many people join groups with others of common interests to share experiences. Book reading clubs and church study groups allow people to share common understanding. For those who are struggling with health or addiction issues in their lives, self-help organizations provide a place where those who are struggling can find support to help them through difficult times. These groups are nonprofit groups that do not charge fees to those who participate.

Types

• Self-help groups come together as local units created by community groups or churches, or they are part of national organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous. Some are led by professionals who guide the discussion, while others are self directed by the members of the organization.

Benefits

• Members of self-help organizations help each other through the sharing of experiences, recovery stories and concerns with others who are in, or have been in, the same situation. Attendees discover that others have been through what they are dealing with and find support in opening up about the problems they face.