GOAL OF DBSA SUPPORT GROUPS

1. GOAL OF DBSA SUPPORT GROUPS The main goal of a DBSA support group is to improve the lives of persons living with mood disorders. Members come together to share their experiences, learn from one another, and gain strength and hope, all with the goal of improving their lives. Many members have the goal of recovery—attaining a full & meaningful life in the community

2. DBSA SUPPORT GROUPS ARE... • Focused on Self-Help:Assumes that members have the ability to make use of available resources to meet his/her own needs • Peer-Led:Facilitator guides discussion, provides focus & ensures the guidelines are followed. • Safe & Accepting: Members make group safe by fostering supportive, trustworthy, respectful, non-judgmental & nurturing atmosphere. All share experiences to help others. • Confidential: Except in emergencies

3. DBSA GROUPS ARE NOT... • Therapy Groups - They are peer-led • A Place to Diagnose or a Substitute for Professional Care– Groups do not endorse or recommend specific treatments • 12-Step Groups – Each person’s path to wellness is uniquely his/her own. There is no “one way.” • Pity Parties: Based on hope, reassurance & encouragement. Focused on recovery tools • An Expert Giving a Lecture: No one participant should be regarded as having “all the answers.”

4. GROUP PRINCIPLES • Help people successfully manage their disease • Provide emotional support & the wisdom of experience • Build self-esteem & empower members to actively improve their lives • Eliminate discrimination & stigma • Help participants rediscover strength & humor they may have lost.

5. CORE ELEMENTS OF A RECOVERY-ORIENTED GROUP Consider how you, as a facilitator, can move the group closer to achieving these elements • Provide hopein every interaction • Empower others in simple ways • Use person-first language • Focus on strengths • Promote personal choice • Help everyone leave committed to action

6. ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR To Facilitate Means “To make easier” • Be aware of & sensitive to the special needs of the members • Promote & help foster sharing experiences, feelings & ideas • Actively listens more than talks • Directs discussion only to keep it focused, relevant & productive • Promotes good will, mutual respect & proactivity • Discourages unhealthy confrontations among members • Does not give advice but encourages others to share and find solutions for themselves

7. DO’s Remind group of principles Keep discussion on track Clarify / summarize Model appropriate behavior Share Arrive early Be open to peer review DON’Ts Dictate content Dominate discussion Preach / lecture Overly inject personal opinion/values Run therapy group Show surprise/disgust Be judgmental FACILITATORS

8. Facilitator’s Personal Commitment • Listen more than I talk • Empower participants to support each other • Give & receive support personally • Use the DBSA guidelines • Be compassionate & understanding • Work towards a hopeful environment • Ask for help when I need it • Leave medical talk to the medical professionals • Empower the group to focus on recovery-oriented discussions

9. GROUP GUIDELINES • Share the Air • One Person Speaks at One Time • What is Said Here Stays Here • Differences of Opinion are Okay • We Are All Equal • Use “I” Language • It’s Okay Not to Share • It’s Everyone’s Responsibility to Make the Discussion Groups a Safe Place to Share

10. SAMPLE GROUP MEETING(These are just suggestions...groups are run in a variety of ways) • Gathering Time • Welcome • Review what will happen at meeting • Review discussion guidelines • Check-in • Discussion • Close the meeting

11. GATHERING / SOCIAL TIMEWelcome people and break the ice • Have members greet people as they come in and thank them for coming • Make new members feel welcome by introducing yourself and others, and engaging the newcomer in conversation if they are comfortable. NOTE: If you have the option of splitting into more than one group, keep track of the number of people coming in so that you can decide how many groups you will have. It is recommended that you only have 6-12 people in each group.

12. WELCOMEThe Formal Start of the Meeting • Bring people together, get their attention, and provide a focus point “Hello everyone. Let’s take a seat. Thank you all for coming. My name is Barbara and I’d like to welcome you.” • Add any “housekeeping” announcements (literature, rest rooms, water fountains, time meeting will end, etc) “Before we begin, the rest rooms are located down the hall. We will be having a break at 8pm, and the meeting will end at 9pm. Don’t forget that our picnic will be held this Saturday.” • Explain what DBSA and your chapter is all about

13. Facilitator’s Welcome Welcome to DBSA Princeton. My name is _____________ and I will be your facilitator tonight. We meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:30 P.M. to 9:15 P.M. Please feel free to help yourself to the literature on the table. And visit our web site, dbsanewjersey.org/princeton, for information and news about our chapter, and links to resources. Please silence your cell phones. We are a peer-run support group, for people with mood disorders and family and friends. Our guiding principles are: ·        We are not experts. ·        We are support, not treatment or therapy. ·        We learn through sharing experiences, by using “I” language. ·        Our focus is on coping. ·        Everyone gets a chance to speak. ·        No cross talk, we share the “air”. ·        We do not judge. Everyone is treated with respect. ·        Everything said at the meeting is confidential. The meeting is divided into four parts:       1. Announcements       2. A brief check-in       3. A discussion period       4. A brief check-out Approximately halfway through the meeting we take a 5 minute break.

14. MEETING REVIEWGet people into the “Group Mode” Explain to the participants what will happen at the meeting to make them feel more comfortable. “Tonight we will start with a check-in when each of us will have an opportunity to introduce ourselves by first name and state why we are here.” “After the check-in, we will have a discussion about our mood disorders and share experiences, feelings, and helpful coping strategies. The meeting will end at 9pm. We have a 5-minute break at 8pm.” “Before we start the check-in, I’d like to review the guidelines for our discussion.” (At this time, review the discussion guidelines.) “Let’s get started. Again, my name is Barbara and I will be your facilitator tonight. As the facilitator, it’s my job to help the flow of conversation so that anyone who wishes to share has the opportunity.”

15. CHECK-INA chance to see who’s here, what their needs are, and know that you are not alone • Each person has the opportunity to introduce themselves by their first name & tell the group why they came to the meeting, their diagnosis, how they are feeling, something good that happened since the last meeting, etc. • You can find out important information, such as who is in crisis, who needs to leave early, etc. • Facilitators can briefly react to each person as a way of acknowledgement “Thank you for sharing.” “We’re glad that you are here.” “It took a lot of courage for you to come here. Thank you.” • If someone starts to tell their whole story, remind them that this is check-in time & they will have the opportunity to speak later.

16. DBSA PrincetonPeer Group Check In Feel free to skip any of the above as all responses are optional

17. GROUP DISCUSSIONThe ♥ of the Meeting • If a common concern is identified during the check-in, you can use this as a starter • If during the check-in you asked participants what they would like to talk about, bring up one of the topics now and ask the person who suggested it if they would like to start. • You can also begin discussion by asking if anyone wants to start, or by asking a person to your right or left to start. • If you have a hard time getting the conversation started, try introducing a topic that may be of interest to most members • Don’t be afraid of silence. This allows people to reflect on what was said and to collect their thoughts. It is also an opportunity for the more shy person to speak up.

18. CLOSING THE MEETINGSome suggestions on bringing closure to the meeting • Give a 10-15 minute notice before the end • Ask members to make any final comments • Briefly summarize meeting (or have someone else do it) • Ask the group how they felt the meeting helped them. • Announce the next meeting date/time • Encourage new members to try 3-4 meetings • Ask for volunteers for next meeting • Encourage members to tell others about the group • Thank everyone for coming Remember. Every group is unique. Your meeting end may only use some of these suggestions depending upon the needs of your members.