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Number of self-help centers in Denmark . 40 local self-help projects all offering One to one dialog Self-help groups Project development All of these are members of the national self-help organization Frise. All are based upon the effort of volunteers
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Number of self-help centers in Denmark 40 local self-help projects all offering • One to one dialog • Self-help groups • Project development • All of these are members of the national self-help organization Frise. • All are based upon the effort of volunteers • All local projects which all citizens can join
Themes examples • Sorrow and loss • Loneliness • Violence against women • Personal development • Depression • Anxiety
The hidden numbers a change of scenery • Patients Associations are offering the Experience-based dialogue as groups or in virtual networks (230) • Physical diseases, relatives • Mental disorders, relatives • Relatives of psychiatric patients • Organizations in the social area • Incest , Assault, Abuse, Violence
Funding • The local Self-help groups centers are financed one year at a time • My organization SR-Bistand are financed by • Govermental funds approx. 70% • Municipality 20% • Private funds 10%
The tendencies • Self-help groups is increasing – chance in who is offering the groups/ the providers • The danish ministry of Health and Prevention has declared that they will not rely on volunteers in health promotion work but will support the Patients Associations • The Patient Associations will therefore have the opportunity to enhance the quality of the self-help groups. • May facilitate access to self-help for people whose problems are represented in an Association
...the tendencies • The local Self-help centers will decrease in number • The variety of topics for self-help groups will decrease • local and individual empowerment will be weakened
Public acceptance a paradox • Broad public acceptance of the importance of an experience-based dialogue • But is there a broad public acceptance of self-help groups in Denmark? • There is very few men in self-help groups in Denmark • The general self-help participant is a middle aged woman
Challenges • We need to challenge the picture of self-help groups as a place for middleaged women • We need to neutralize the concept of self-help to make a broader accessibility for all citizens • Danish self-help providers need to reflect on and inform the public • What is the practice of a self-help group • It is not a place where you GET help • It provides the environment in which people can strengthen THEMSELVES
...challenges • Self-help centers needs to provide knowledge of how to practice self-help groups to the new practitioners • The importance of the group as a counterpoint to the professional system • The importance of group structure • The participants that define context and theme • The importance of visitation