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Self-help Groups & Social Capital

Self-help Groups & Social Capital. NG Hang-sau Chief Service Supervisor Community Rehabilitation Network The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation Tel: 2794 3010 Fax: 2338 4820 E-mail: hsng@rehabsociety.org.hk. 8 March, 2002. Introduction Changing environment

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Self-help Groups & Social Capital

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  1. Self-help Groups & Social Capital NG Hang-sau Chief Service Supervisor Community Rehabilitation Network The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation Tel: 2794 3010 Fax: 2338 4820 E-mail: hsng@rehabsociety.org.hk 8 March, 2002

  2. Introduction Changing environment Self-help development in Hong Kong Self-help groups and social capital Future development of self-help OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

  3. Advance medical technology Change of disease pattern Increased awareness of patients’ rights Escalating health cost Strong professionalization Service fragmentation and de-humanization of institution New services models CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

  4. What is self-help group/ organization Historical development Prevalence of self-help group Characteristic of self-help groups in Hong Kong SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG

  5. groups of individuals in a group structure to pursue common goals of furthering their own welfare and interests group solidarity arises people encountering similar problems to overcome them by sharing experience and exchanging information (White Paper on Rehabilitation) WHAT IS SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS

  6. Self-help group supportive, educational, usually change-oriented that addresses a single life problem, professionals rarely have an active role Support group giving emotional support and information to persons with a common problem, often facilitated by professionals DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-HELP, SUPPORT & PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUPS

  7. Psychotherapy group seek to produce individual growth & change through the relationship established among members with the help of a professional therapist DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-HELP, SUPPORT & PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUPS

  8. Deep rooted in the civilization of mankind Early form of self-help and mutual help are based on consanguinity and clan Address life problem or conditions shared by all members Based on the concept of equality, fraternity and mutual help DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS IN HONG KONG (I)

  9. 1964 Hong Kong Blind Union, the first self-help organizations 1970 Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth 1976 Hong Kong Stoma Association 1977 Parents’ Association of the Mentally Handicapped Ltd. 1989 Hong Kong Association of Relatives for Mental health DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS IN HONG KONG (II)

  10. 1987 Hong Kong Joint Council of Parents of the Mentally Handicapped 1995 Chosen Power, formed by people with mental handicap 1993 Alliance for Patients’ Mutual Help Organizations DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS IN HONG KONG (III)

  11. Around 212 self-help and support groups, with or without formal registration formed (Mok, 2001) Around 30,000 to 35,000 members Usually 1 meeting per month for members but may be 2-3 for Executive Committee members Limited study on the effectiveness of self-help groups in HK PREVALENCE OF SELF-HELP & SUPPORT GROUPS IN HK

  12. Over 80% of the self-help organizations are formed with the support of the & assisted by health care professionals Only a few self-help organizations are supported with regular funding Membership fee is required Provision of services rather than advocacy Not much inter-groups collaboration CHARACTERISTICS OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS IN HK

  13. Emotional support Information and advice Pressure group activities and lobbying Bulk purchase Fund raising Public education Support research ROLE & FUNCTIONS OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS

  14. Addressing behavior-control problem Improved coping with chronic illness and life transitions Friendship and belonging Spiritual renewal Increasing political activism Enhanced civil society Reduced health care resource use (by: Kieth Humphreys) INDIVIDUAL & SOCIAL BENEFITS OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS

  15. Involves families/ carers Forms support network Develops mutual trust/ cooperation/ long-term relationships Facilitates human functioning Aids the formation of human capital RELATION TO SOCIAL CAPITAL

  16. ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS IN SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS • Founder • Consultant • Resource provider • Referrer • Legitimizer (by: Bonnie Pape) Am I right? Go ahead!

  17. Develop membership vs mutuality Organizational building vs locality MASH Professional collaboration vs anti-professional Government’s funding vs advocacy On-line self-help vs traditional Training of self-helpers & professionals Self-help research FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-HELP MOVEMENT

  18. Strengths & weaknesses Not prefect: areas for improvement Not an answer for all Self-help to be all things to all people? CONCLUSION

  19. THANK YOU

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